1. Virtue Ethics PowerPoint

2. What is Virtue Ethics?
Virtue Ethics- the position that the moral life should be concerned with cultivating a virtuous character rather than rules of reason
Aristotle: because humans can reason, they must act on their ability to reason
The result=happiness, which is what humans seek
How is this virtue and excellence achieved? LOOK TO THE MEAN!!!

3. Virtue
Virtue- the ability to be reasonable in our actions, desires and emotions; a morally good character trait
Virtue ethics depend on character development
If an action tends to produce a virtuous character it is morally right
Recognize the importance of community, develop personal ideals

4. Buddhist Ethics According to Buddhism, ethical behaviour involves:
Volitional action-voluntary conduct is supremely important
Karma- great law of cause and effect, karma is related to rebirth
Cultivation of wisdom- discipline of the mind through ethical action and quieting of the mind until the point of enlightenment
Morality- the companion of wisdom

5. Buddhist Ethics Four noble truths: -life is suffering
-desire is the cause of suffering
-Overcoming suffering is to overcome desire
-The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path

6. Male/Female Ethics
Many philosophers believe that men and women generally have different ethics
Male ethics-based on principles
Female ethics-based on virtue
Examples of principles: justice, human rights
Examples of virtue: responsibility, caring, compassion

7. Lawrence Kohlberg
Lawrence Kohlberg-stated that more men than women reach the post-conventional stage of moral development (adapting of universal moral principles to human welfare

8. Carol Gilligan
Criticized Kohlberg’s view that more men than women reach the post-conventional stage, and stated the female approach to morality is superior
Redefined the post-conventional stage as one who strikes a balance between caring for oneself and others