1. Contemporary Moral Problems
M-F12:00-1:00SAV 264
Instructor: Benjamin Hole
Office Hours: everyday after class

2. Clicker Quiz HURSTHOUSE
Agenda
Clicker Quiz
HURSTHOUSE

3. What is Hursthouse’s conclusion about abortion?
Depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others. Even in cases where it is right, guilt and remorse are sometimes called for.
The loss of the future to the standard fetus... could be justified only by the most compelling reasons.
Abortion is morally impermissible because familiar biological facts of abortion are irrelevant to the practical reasoning of a virtuous agent.
Abortion is morally permissible because deontological and utilitarian ethical theories have irresolvable conflict built into them.
Abortion is morally permissible, at least in many cases, because the right to life is merely negative.

4. it is what a virtuous person would do in the circumstances
According to Hursthouse’s characterization of virtue ethics, an action is right if and only if:
it is what a virtuous person would do in the circumstances
it is what a vicious person would not avoid doing in the circumstances
it produces the most virtue in the world, compared to alternative actions
it does not violate the rights of any person with moral standing
all of the above
none of the above

5. Hursthouse claims:
Eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness.
Virtue ethics is not trivially circular.
Virtue ethics answers the questions “What should I do?” as well as “What kind of person should I be?”
Virtue ethics does involve rules or principles.
Virtue theory is not committed to reductionism.
All of the above.
None of the above.

6. Some initial clarifications
Eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness.
Virtue ethics is not trivially circular.
Virtue ethics answers the questions “What should I do?” as well as “What kind of person should I be?”
Virtue ethics does involve rules or principles.
Virtue theory is not committed to reductionism. 6

7. Two more objections to virtue ethics
Which character traits are virtues is disputed, and subject to the threat of moral skepticism or relativism.
Virtue ethics has unresolvable conflict built into it (as virtues often conflict).
Hursthouse: These are equally problems for rival ethical theories, such as deontology and consequentialism. 7

8. The major criticism of virtue
Objection: Virtue can’t “get us anywhere” because it relies on:
Understanding of virtues and vices.
Evaluative concepts such as the worthwhile. 8

9. The major criticism of virtue
Objection: Virtue can’t “get us anywhere” because it relies on:
Understanding of virtues and vices.
Evaluative concepts such as the worthwhile.
Hursthouse’s Response
The major criticism places unreasonable constraints on an adequate moral theory.
A discussion of abortion makes clear the ways in which virtue theory can shed light on moral issues. 9

10. Virtue and Abortion Does not focus on Does focus on
Rights of the woman
Moral status of the fetus
Does focus on
Biological facts surrounding abortion
The thoughts and feelings that ought to accompany the circumstances
Hursthouse claims that we should begin by asking how the familiar biological facts of abortion figure in the practical reasoning of a virtuous agent.
Reflection on these facts prompts the realization that pregnancy is not just one among many physical conditions, but a state that is typically attended by strong emotions and attachments. 10

11. Virtue and Abortion Does not focus on Does focus on
Rights of the woman
Moral status of the fetus
Does focus on
Biological facts surrounding abortion
The thoughts and feelings that ought to accompany the circumstances
Hursthouse's Conclusion
Depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others. Even in cases where it is right, guilt and remorse are sometimes called for. 11

12. Hursthouse’s (entire) argument that depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

13. Evaluating a Theory Explanatory Power Practical Guidance
Bentham’s Consequentialism
Mill’s Consequentialism
MacKinnon’s Feminism
Kantian Ethics
Natural Law Theory
Virtue Ethical Theory
Evaluating a Theory
Explanatory Power
Practical Guidance
“A moral theory should feature principles that explain our more specific considered moral beliefs, this helping us understand why certain actions, persons, and other objects of moral evaluation are right or wrong, good or bad. The better a theory’s principles in providing such explanations, the better the theory.”
“A moral theory should feature principles that are useful in guiding moral deliberation toward correct or justified moral verdicts about particular issues which we can then use to help guide choice. The better a theory’s principles are in providing practical guidance, the better the theory.”

14. Which ethical theory has the most explanatory power?
Bentham’s Consequentialism
Mill’s Consequentialism
MacKinnon’s Feminism
Kantian Ethics
Natural Law Theory
Virtue Ethical Theory

15. Which ethical theory has the most practical guidance?
Bentham’s Consequentialism
Mill’s Consequentialism
MacKinnon’s Feminism
Kantian Ethics
Natural Law Theory
Virtue Ethical Theory