1. Virtue Ethics

2. Introduction Associated with Greeks
Originated likely in China
Does not focus on consequences, intuitions or rules, so much as the development within human beings of a moral or virtuous character by means of doing what a good or virtuous person would do
Virtue the quality of moral excellence, righteousness and responsibility… worthy practice or ideal

3. Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics
Named for his son, Nichomachus
Aim towards some end
End of human life is happiness
Goal to reason well for a whole or complete life

4. Development of Character
Concerned with action conducive to human good
General principles created through moral judgments
Follow natural tendencies with an attitude of harmony
Based on common sense
As we practice acts we realize that virtue is good in itelf
i.e. Truth telling

5. Virtue and Vice Virtue a mean between excess or deficiency
Practical wisdom the ability to see the right thing in any circumstance
Much more importance assigned to an enlightened conscience than to prior rules
The mean is relative to us

7. Confucian Moral Self-Cultivation
Deeply engraved in Chinese culture
Those with an ethically fulfilled life would have a powerful affect upon others
Excellence in the development of ethics important for governing
Confucius
Thought humans were fundamentally social
Within the structure of relationships that virtues and attitudes would enhance daily life

8. Five Confucian Cardinal Relationships
Ruler and subject
Father and son
Husband and wife
Elder brother and younger brother
Friend and a friend
Confucius sees a clear difference between doing the right thing and being a good person
Each person understands their relationship with others

9. Analyzing Virtue Ethics
Advantages
Creating a good human being
Unifying reason and emotion
Emphasizes moderation
Disadvantages
Do humans have an end?
Are morals naturally implanted?
What is virtue?

11. Conclusion
Virtue ethics develops the moral person from within and from without
But based on number of assumptions that are difficult to prove
Do they have an end or purpose?
What is that purpose?
Is morality innate?
What is virtue?
What virtuous human beings are?
Best to synthesize consequentialist and nonconsequentialist values

12. The Virtuous Human Being
A Sitcom?