1. Theme 1 – B – Virtue Ethics
By the end of today’s lesson you will have learnt:
The basics of Virtue Ethics
Considered how the approach is different to Divine Command Theory
The Doctrine of the Golden Mean

2. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes
Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts
Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds
Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

3. Starter: Think-Pair-Share
What admirable qualities do these people have?
What to you think Virtue Theory might be about?

4. Virtue Ethics Context 4th Century B.C
Inequality – i.e. Noblemen and slaves was the norm
Philosophers at the time didn’t particularly see this as a problem

5. What is Virtue Ethics?
Using pages 33&34 of the EDUQAS textbook complete the six monkeys task

6. Questions 1. Who devised Virtue Ethics?
2. Does Virtue Ethics focus on the agent being a good person or doing good acts?
3. What did Aristotle think all humans have?
4. What is meant by habit?
5. Which four virtues did Aristotle say lead to a good life?
6. How does virtue ethics benefit society as well as individuals?
7. What is the Golden Mean?
8. What will people’s actions ultimately be motivated by?
TASK: Write these into full sentences using the textbook to help you

7. Aretaic
Another word for Virtue Theory developed from the Greek for ‘excellence’ or ‘virtue’.

8. Agent-centred
Ethical approach focused on the development of the person rather than on the morality of what they do.

9. Book containing Aristotle’s lectures on ethics.
Nicomachean
Book containing Aristotle’s lectures on ethics.

10. Greek word for purpose/ goal.
Telos
Greek word for purpose/ goal.

11. Happiness; good living.
Eudaimonia
Happiness; good living.

12. Eudaimonia is achieved by being this.
Virtuous
Eudaimonia is achieved by being this.

13. How virtues are developed.
Practice
How virtues are developed.

14. Quote to learn
“We are what we repeatedly do. Greatness then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

15. Virtue Theory
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral
Everyone has a purpose, a telos
Pursuing Eudemonia is of intrinsic value, for you and society = integration
Eudemonia = the good life
Moral living = developing characteristics best suited to produce a virtuous human being.

16. Virtue Theory
The focus of a person’s character rather than their specific actions
Places it’s emphasis on ‘practise’ and ‘habit’ as opposed to laws written in human nature or universal norm
Focuses on the agent and not the act
Focuses on how we are good people
Appreciates the room for cultural relativity
Aims to help humans and societies reach eudemonia

17. Aristotle’s Moral Virtues
The Golden Mean
Aristotle designed the doctrine of the mean to distinguish what actions are virtuous and what actions are not. It helps us to become better people.
The vice of deficiency = Not doing things enough. Personality traits which are not virtuous
The vice of excess = doing things too much. Personality traits which are not virtuous.
The Virtuous mean = a middle between excess and deficiency.

18. Complete the table DEFICIENCY – BAD TRAITS MEAN – GOOD TRAITS
EXCESS - BAD TRAITS
Cowardice
Rashness/Foolhardiness
Modesty
Shyness
Deceitful
Honest
Compassionate
Sensitive
Intolerant
Passive

19. The Golden Mean - Example
Malala Yousafzai showed the virtue of courage.
CNN clip
He named me Malala - Trailer

20. Write up
Ethical System based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral.
Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words:
Relative
Morality
Goodness
Telos

21. Write up
The focus on a person’s character rather than specific actions
Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words:
Agent
Actions
Habits
Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence
Role model

22. Write up
Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean)
Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words:
The Golden Mean
Deficiency
Excess
Mean
Examples

23. Virtue Theory – Jesus and the Beatitudes
By the end of this lesson you will have:
Seen how Jesus can be seen as a role model for virtue for some
Understood how virtue ethics can be both secular and religious
Applied the beatitudes to ethical situations

24. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes
Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts
Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds
Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

25. Recap starter- pick at least 4 words from the selection below & explain them! Blue = 1 point each Red = 2 points each Black = 3 points each
Cultural Relativism
Agent Centred
Eudemonia
Aristotle
Golden Mean
Vice of Excess
Vice of Deficiency
Cardinal Virtues
Role Models

26. The Beatitudes
Watch this short clip on the beatitudes. How can the beatitudes be linked to virtue theory?

27. The Beatitudes
Individually write down your own reflection to these questions:
How do the beatitudes link into the basic theory of virtue ethics?
What does Jesus envisage as someone living ‘the good life’?
Do any of the beatitudes link in with the cardinal virtues?
What are the distinct difference between Jesus' and Aristotle’s understanding of virtues and eudemonia?

28. The Beatitudes as Virtue

29. The Beatitudes as Virtue

30. Stay Standing If…
1. You can tell me what the four cardinal virtues are
2. You can tell me what it means to be agent focussed as opposed to act focussed
3. You can tell me how habit and practise is central to virtue ethics
4. You can explain Eudemonia
5. You can name two of the beatitudes
6. You can explain how Jesus links to virtue ethics
7. You feel confident with what you have learnt in virtue ethics so far

31. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes
Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts
Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds
Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

32. Write Up Jesus’ teachings on the virtues
Write a paragraph on this point using the following words
Sermon on the mount
The beatitudes
How these are agent focused
An example
Eudemonia as heaven

33. Challenges 1. Virtues are not a practical guide for moral behaviour
2. Issues of cultural relativism
3. Virtues can be used for immoral acts
TASK: Use page 124 of the textbook to help you explain what the following titles mean

34. Virtues are not a practical guide for moral behaviour

35. Cultural Relativism

36. Virtues can be used for immoral acts

37. Write Up
Explain how virtues can not be a practical guide for moral behaviour
Explain why cultural relativism poses a problem for virtue ethics
Explain how virtue ethics can be used to justify bad acts

38. Challenges against Virtue Ethics
By the end of this lesson you will:
Have considered the challenges against virtue ethics
Evaluated whether or not you think virtue ethics is a practical guide to moral behaviour
Understood the problems of cultural relativism