Virtue Ethics

Team Members: Samantha Nirschl Dave Opperman Ryan Tess-Wanat Adam Bokelman

Virtue Ethics: Summary

Moral Goodness Attitudes or Character traits Thoughtful reflection on what

kind of person we have the potential to become

Virtues are like habits, once acquired become characteristics

Examples of Virtues:

Honesty Compassion Generosity Integrity Self-control Trustworthiness

Influential People

Aristotle –(384 BC – 322 BC)

Philippa Foot –(1920-present)

Aristotle

I. Was a Greek Philosopher

II. Student Of PlatoIII. Father of Virtue

EthicsIV. First to really

stress the importance of having virtues

Aristotle

Identified that virtue is related to the proper function of a thing.

In order for us to function properly we need a virtuous happy self character

Once a virtuous person

Later develop wisdom

Philippa Ruth Foot

British Philosopher Founder of modern

virtue ethics Wrote a collection of

papers called “virtues and vices” (1978)

Was responsible for influencing Oxford philosophers

Philippa Foot

Modernized Aristotle's ethical theories and showed it was adaptable to a new contemporary view

Wrote “Natural Goodness” in 2001 Denys a fact/value distinction and found

room for a sophisticated kind of ethical naturalism.

Ethical Naturalism is a version of an Aristotelian ethic in which the nature of human beings is itself a determinant of their good.

Criticism Of Virtue Theory

Different cultures will have different virtues.

Ex: Greeks have more pride where as Christian monks have more humility

Criticism Continued…

Some critics say it goes beyond moral views and focuses more on our actions.

Not what should I do, but what kind of person should I be?

Criticism Continued

Ex: Running a marathon takes training and practice, so does our virtues.

Current Ethical Dilemma

You are driving to work and see

a person collapse on the

sidewalk What do you do? Stop and help Drive by ignoring the person

Current Ethical Dilemma

You stopped and helped, being a Good Samaritan

Consequences for stopping You are late for work and are

disciplined with 3 days off without pay

Current Ethical Dilemma You drive by

Consequences for not stopping?

Later you find out the person

died

If you would have stopped you

may have saved that persons

life!

Current Ethical Dilemma

You find out that the collapsed person was the spouse of the person that works next to you!

What do you tell that person?

What would

you do?

Review Questions

1. What (kind of thing) is a virtue?

2. Who founded the theory of virtue ethics?

3. How do Virtues differ from Morals?