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Rosalind Hursthouse: Virtue Theory and Abortion

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1 Rosalind Hursthouse: Virtue Theory and Abortion
Phil 240, Introduction to Ethical Theory, W9L3 Benjamin Visscher Hole IV

2 Clicker Quiz

3 According to Hursthouse:
eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness. virtue ethics involves rules or principles. virtue ethics is not committed to an implausible reductionism. virtue ethics is not trivially circular. all of the above. none of the above.

4 which actions are honest, just, or charitable…
Hursthouse claims that in coming to verdicts about particular cases, virtue ethicists must rely on controversial judgments about: which actions are honest, just, or charitable… which activities are worthwhile. both a and b. neither a nor b.

5 According to Hursthouse, virtue ethics provides an answer to the question:
What should I do? What sort of person should I be? both a and b. neither a nor b.

6 Objections & Responses
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 is not committed to reductionism. 6

7 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

8 Virtue ethics is not trivially circular.
Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

9 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Virtue ethics answers the questions “What should I do?” as well as “What kind of person should I be?” Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

10 Virtue ethics does involve rules or principles.
Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

11 Virtue theory is not committed to reductionism.
Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

12 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Hursthouse’s initial clarifications successfully respond to standard objections Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

13 Objections & Responses
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. 13

14 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Hursthouse: These objections are equally problems for rival ethical theories, such as deontology and consequentialism. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

15 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. 15

16 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Hursthouse: The major criticism places unreasonable constraints on an adequate moral theory. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

17 Virtue and Abortion Does not focus on Does focus on
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. Does not 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 17

18 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. 18

19 Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
Hursthouse: 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

20 Theory Practice “The theoretical aim of moral theory is to discover those underlying features of actions, persons, and other items of moral evaluation that make them right or wrong, good or bad and thus explain why such items have the moral properties they have. Features of this sort serve as moral criteria of the right and the good” (3-4). “The practical aim of a moral theory is to offer practical guidance for how we might arrive at correct or justified moral verdicts about matters of moral concern – verdicts which we can then use to help guide choice” (4). Timmons

21 Main concerns for assessing ethical theory
How to respond to the immoralist challenge? Problems for Modern Moral Philosophy Integrity Indirection Psychologically impoverished Practical Guidance and Explanatory Power (Timmons) Moral Dilemmas Universality versus Context-Sensitivity Watson’s Dilemma Moral Indeterminancy Circularity Demandingness Problems

22 In light of these concerns, which ethical theory is the best?
Social contractarianism (Glaucon and Hobbes) Kantian deontology Bentham’s hedonistic utilitarianism Mill’s hedonistic utilitarianism Aristotle’s virtue ethical theory Nussbaum’s virtue ethical theory

23 Introduction to Ethical Theory
SUM2013, M-F, 10:50-11:50, SAV136 Instructor: Benjamin Hole Self-Assessment What philosophical skills and understanding of ethical theory do you have now that you lacked before this course?

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