1. Virtue theory Learning plan #5 Don, Debby, Ashley 3-27-08

2. Virtue  A virtue is a trait that contributes to a person functioning well as a human being  A virtue is not just a feeling A person who “feels” brave but does not act on it is not brave  A virtue is not just doing a given action on a given occasion

3. Summary  The virtue theory focuses on attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our human potential  Examples: honesty, courage, faithfulness, trustworthiness, integrity

4. Summary  our actions make us who we are

5. Contributions  Aristotle everything functions for a distinct purpose “For all things that have a function or activity, the good and the well is thought to reside in the function”

6. Contributions cont.. Human function  Rational self-regulation Humans are rational animals with reason

7. The Golden Mean Finding the middle between extremes of emotion or action  Example-courage is the middle of cowardice and foolhardiness couragecowardice foolhardiness

8. Contributions cont..  St. Thomas Aquinas Human function determines virtue’s greatness Reason brings us closer to god  Ultimate purpose Added theological virtues  Faith, hope and charity

9. Differences  St. Thomas Aquinas has a religious philosophy  function= serve god  Aristotle more interested in the science  function=self regulation

10. Criticisms of the theory  Neglects what people should be  Determines how we should act  Moral luck  Self-centeredness

11. Criticisms  Virtue ethics is criticized for not giving clear answers to ethical dilemmas, but it allows us each to make our own responses to situations life throws at us

12. Ethical dilemma  The use of steroids in sports Fair play Used among teens today

13. Ethical dilemma  Assisted suicide Virtues involved  sufferer: courage, humility  Families: caring, responsiveness, hospitality  Doctors must care for life (Hippocratic oath)

14. Deaths under Oregon's Physician Assisted Suicide Act  1998 16 6/10,000 total deaths  2002 38 13/10,000 total deaths

15. Questions  Do you think humans have a different function than self regulation?  What do you think is the down side of this theory?  Do you think people have the ability to change their virtues if born “morally unlucky”?