Virtue Ethics What duty do we have to assist others in need? Ethics of Care: Perspective on moral issues that emphasizes close personal relationships and moral virtues such as compassion, love, and sympathy.

Virtue Ethics What duty do we have to ourselves?

Virtue Ethics Consequentialist & nonconsequentialist moral theories are concerned with action, and attempt to answer the question, “What should I do?” Consequentialist & nonconsequentialist moral theories are concerned with action, and attempt to answer the question, “What should I do?”

Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics, by contrast, attempts to answer the question, “What should I be?”

Virtue Ethics Ethical theory that see the primary focus of ethics to be the character of the person rather than the person’s actions Ethical theory that see the primary focus of ethics to be the character of the person rather than the person’s actions

Virtue Ethics Is this hammer a good hammer? Is this lawnmower a good lawnmower? Is this lawnmower a good lawnmower?

Virtue Ethics What attributes or virtues make this a good hammer and good lawnmower? Virtue – A trait of character that is to be admired because it is a component of excellence Virtue – A trait of character that is to be admired because it is a component of excellence

Virtue Ethics What is the purpose or goal of our lives? Happiness Human Flourishing Living Well Living the good life Human excellence Eudiamonia

Virtue Ethics Which flower is a better flower? Which flower is a better flower? The one that is healthy The one that is healthy The one that flourishes The one that flourishes

Virtue Ethics Cultivation of virtue is the way to achieve human flourishing To Aristotle, a virtue is a stable disposition to act and feel according to some ideal or model of excellence. To Aristotle, a virtue is a stable disposition to act and feel according to some ideal or model of excellence. It is a deeply embedded character trait that can affect actions in countless situations. It is a deeply embedded character trait that can affect actions in countless situations.

Virtue Ethics Aristotle distinguishes between intellectual and moral virtues. Examples of intellectual virtues. Examples of intellectual virtues.--Wisdom--Prudence--Rationality Examples of moral virtues. Examples of moral virtues.--Fairness--Benevolence--Honesty--Loyalty--Conscientiousness--Courage

Virtue Ethics What makes a person a good person? What makes a person a good person?

Virtue Ethics Intellectual virtues can be taught, but moral virtues come about only as a result of habitual practice.

Virtue Ethics Moral virtues occupy what Aristotle calls the “Golden Mean”--a balance between two extremes.

Virtue Ethics For Aristotle, the Golden Mean expresses a fundamental truth: the virtuous--and happy--life is a life of moderation in all things.