Ethics and Values for Professionals Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics Prepared by: Roger Nault

Learning Objectives: To explain the basic concepts of virtue ethics; Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Learning Objectives: To explain the basic concepts of virtue ethics; To distinguish between virtues and vices. 2

(Philosophical Traditions) Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics​ Ethical Theories (Philosophical Traditions) Relativist Theories Ethical Subjectivism Cultural Relativism Universal Theories Utilitarian Deontology Virtue 3

Universalist Theories: Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Universalist Theories: Different perspectives on ethical situations Virtue Ethics Personal character Intention Deontology Duty Action Utilitarianism Consequences Results 4

Virtue Ethics: What kind of a person do I want to be? Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Virtue Ethics: What kind of a person do I want to be? Rather than describing people as good or bad, Virtue ethics seeks a full and detailed description of those character traits, or virtues, that would constitute a good and full human life. 5

Virtue Ethics: Tension between selfishness and selflessness Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Virtue Ethics: Tension between selfishness and selflessness Self-interest versus altruism Self-regarding and other-regarding (JSM) Excellent reasons to believe that humans are by nature, both selfish and selfless. Many hold that acting out of self-interest is the definition of being rational. 6

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Explore motivations likely to lead us to a good and meaningful life (virtues) rather than a life of unhappiness (vices). Virtues: honest, trustworthy, loyal, courteous, respectful, cheerful, compassionate. Vices: greedy, envious, gloomy, arrogant and selfish. 7

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ The acquisition (motivation) of virtue becomes a fundamental question for ethics. For business – new employees come to business with certain character traits and habits, and these can get shaped and reinforced in the workplace – via corp. culture. 8

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Shifts the focus from “What a person should do” to “What a person should be”. Requires a (different) view of ourselves. 9

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Our identity is constituted in part by our wants, beliefs, motivations, values and attitudes. A person’s character = dispositions, relationships, attitudes, values, and beliefs = personality. Is what we are, not something we step in and out of like a suit of clothes. 10

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Businesses creating TV programs for children that they wouldn’t let their own children watch. Seller selling cosmetics or gasoline that they themselves would not use. Such people lack even the most elementary form of personal integrity. 11

Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Business provides many opportunities for behavior that is generous or greedy, ruthless or compassionate, fair or manipulative. Which set of virtues are more likely to embody a full, satisfying, meaningful, enriched, and worthy human life? 12

Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant Maintains that as rational beings, people basically know the difference between right and wrong – we know a priori . But he notes that people seem to do wrong very often. Proper moral action is a combination of proper self-esteem and goodwill. 13

Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant PMA = SE + GW SE regards the value we place on ourselves compared to that which we place on others. GW alone is what motivates us to do right. GW is the desire to be right. “I want to be the kind of person that does the right thing”. 14

Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Virtue Ethics: Immanuel Kant Prescribes a regime of on-going continuous self-improvement to develop our GW. Includes having GW and living a principled life – and not depending on outward achievements or the praise of others. Offers true autonomy. 15

Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Each theory approaches ethical issues from its own perspective. 16

Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Utilitarianism: consider the consequences of our actions on ourselves and on others. 17

Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Deontology : some acts are right or wrong as a matter of principle, regardless of consequences. “The ends do not justify the means”. Respecting individual rights and fulfilling our ethical obligations can set limits on decisions aimed at producing good consequences. 18

Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Summary and Review of Ethical Theories Virtue Ethics: Ask ourselves the profound questions: “Who do I want to be?” Which habits and character traits are likely to be part of a meaningful and happy life? Virtues: honesty, integrity, modesty, trustworthy Vices: greed, materialism, belligerence, rude 19

Chapter Review Questions Chapter 5: Virtue Ethics ​ Chapter Review Questions Identify the likely character traits of someone that you admire. Are those traits best described as virtues or vices? What virtues would you expect from the bank where you deposit your money? 20

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