Introduction to Virtue Ethical Theory & Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Phil 240, Intro to Ethical Theory, BENJAMIN VISSCHER HOLE IV, W7L1

Agenda Introduction to Virtue Ethical Theory Clicker Quiz Context and Broader Issues Virtue and Aristotle

Clicker Quiz

According to Aristotle, we should begin ethical inquiry by specifying: which things are intrinsically valuable. the aim of human life. what our fundamental duties are. what constraints on behavior it would be reasonable to agree to. all of the above. none of the above.

According to Aristotle, our ultimate end (or aim) is . . . pleasure. moral virtue. eudaimonia. continence. none of the above.

Aristotle claims that Moral virtue . . . is innate. must be acquired through habituation. is alone guaranteed to make us happy. participates in a Platonic Form. both b. and c.

Dates Required Readings Recommended Readings Week One: June 24-28 Why be moral? Moral Theory Primer Syllabus Plato, 65-78 Timmons (electronic) Shafer-Landau, 1-17 Shafer-Landau, 289-305 Concepción (electronic) Week Two: July 1-5 Social Contract Theory and Collective Action Problems Hobbes, 236-247 Hardin (electronic) Vaughn, “How to Read an Argument” (electronic) Shafer-Landau, 201-213 Week Three: July 8-12 Utilitarianism Nozick (electronic) Bentham, 353-361 Shafer-Landau, 117-132 Shafer-Landau, 21-58 Week Four: July 15-19 Singer, 873-880 Mill, 362-383 Shafer-Landau, 133-153 Week Five: July 22-26 Kantian Ethics Kant, 313-352   O’Neil (electronic) Velleman (electronic) Shafer-Landau, 168-186 Week Six: July 29 - August 2 Assessing Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics Anscombe, 527-539 Williams, 657-673 Wolf, 790-802 Stocker (electronic) Baker (electronic) Week Seven: August 5-8 Virtue Ethics Aristotle, 124-140; 146-147 Shafer-Landau, 252-271 Aristotle, 152-157 Week Eight: August 12-16 Virtue Ethics & Assessing Ethical Theory Nussbaum, 755-774 Note: Final Paper due August 12 Week Nine: August 19-23 Contemporary Moral Issues: Abortion Thomson, 817-827 Hursthouse, 849-862 Review for the final Note: Final Exam August 23

Paper Conference 8/6/2013 You should continue to work on your final papers. Prepare a short (3-5 minute) presentation: a short synopsis of the main elements from your outline (introduction/thesis, exegesis, your argument, objection, response, and conclusion). Consider where feedback would be the most useful. Start thinking about submitting your papers for presentation at conferences and for publication.

Anscombe on Modern Moral Philosophy If MMP fails, then a virtue- oriented approach is the way moral philosophy ought to be developed. MMP fails. Psychology Ought & Duty Consequentialism Therefore, a virtue-oriented approach is the way moral philosophy ought to be developed.

Williams on Integrity Utilitarianism Kantian Ethics Main Point Williams objects that the impartiality of such ethical theories is too separate from particular others, and moral agency.

Virtue Ethics, A brief History

A Different Starting Point for Ethics Most moral theories: What is the right thing to do? Virtue ethics: What kind of person should I be? How should I live my life? Virtue ethics is a family of theories that traces its roots (in the West) back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. The aim of these theories is to discover the conditions and character traits that contribute to human flourishing.

The Primacy of Character The term ‘Aristotelian virtue ethics’ describes a class of theories; the aim of these theories is to discover the conditions and character traits that contribute to eudaimonia. Eudaimonia (see EN.I.7), often translated as ‘happiness’ or ‘human flourishing’

The Primacy of Character Right Action Bi-Conditional An act is morally right if and only if (and because) it is the one that a virtuous person, acting in character, would do in that situation. The term ‘Aristotelian virtue ethics’ describes a class of theories; the aim of these theories is to discover the conditions and character traits that contribute to eudaimonia. Eudaimonia (see EN.I.7), often translated as ‘happiness’ or ‘human flourishing’

The Rawlsian structure for ethical theories Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

Moral Complexity Moral rules corresponding to virtues. There are many moral rules of thumb, which vary in different contexts.

Moral Complexity and Practical Guidance Tragic dilemmas: Are there situations in which there is no morally praiseworthy action? Virtue and moral guidance: Does virtue give us sufficient advice about how to live?

Circularity Worry Right Action Bi-Conditional An act is morally right if and only if (and because) it is the one that a virtuous person, acting in character, would do in that situation. Are actions morally right because virtuous people perform them? Or do virtuous people perform actions because those actions are right? A similar problem faced by Divine Command Theory.

An Argument for Virtue Ethics? Stocker states, “to the extent that you live the theory directly, to that extent you will fail to achieve its goods” (73); e.g., interpersonal relationships. Indirection: a theory is “indirect” if it encourages you to act without direct regard to the theory itself. It is better for an ethical theory to be direct. Modern ethical theories are indirect. Virtue ethical theories are direct. Therefore, virtue ethical theories are better than modern ethical theories.

It is better for an ethical theory to be direct Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

TRILEMMA: An ethical theory is either: (1) indirect, (2) an unsatisfactory response to the immoralist’s challenge, or (3) egoist? True False