7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
1/17
PLATO & ARISTOTLE
ON VIRTUETHEORY
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
2/17
A Theory or a Practice?
Theories such as Utilitarianism andKantianism address the question Howshould I act?
- Consider the nature of acts, or the nature ofoutcomes
But, Virtue Theory asks How should I live mylife?, What kind of person should I be?
and How do I get there? Not so much a guide for moral decision-
making, more of a description of the morallife: a life which cultivates virtue.
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
3/17
Happiness as the greatest
human good But what happiness (or a well-lived
life) consists of?
Some say it consists in a life of
pleasure (view of the masses)
Some say it is the life of honour (view
of statesmen)
Some say it consists in virtue (view ofthe wise)
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
4/17
Platos view of Humans
Reason
Will
Appetite
Reason should dominate will and
appetite = Perfect state/Happiness
achieved
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
5/17
Why? What is our function?
Human functions to exercise onesvital faculties in accord with reason. It
is to act and live well and beautifully,
as an excellent, exemplary human.This means it is to act virtuously.
We develop character virtues when
will and appetite listen to reason
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
6/17
Judging Character
The theory suggests that we are judgedby our character, not specific actions.
An individual who has developedexcellent character traits (virtues) is
judged as a morally good person.An individual who has developed poor
character traits (vices) is judged as amorally bad person.
But most of us have a mixture or virtuesand vices. So we need to take a holisticapproach to virtue (intellectual virtue).
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
7/17
Two kinds of virtue
Intellectual virtue: consists indeveloping intellectual abilities
(including the ability to judge how a
virtuous person should acti.e.,phronesis, or practical wisdom).
Character virtue: moral excellencies
habits of character cultivated in thosewho live excellently
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
8/17
Phronesis or practical wisdomPhronesis moderates between the emotions/will,
appetites, and rational mind.- acquired over time.- exercising of a mature will which enables a person
to act with wisdom and discernment.- the executive , deciding when to act upon emotions
through a balanced appetite.
It is easy to become angry, anyone can do that;but to be angry with the right person, to the right
extent, at the right time, in the right way, with theright aim; that is not easy.
The function of practical reason is to developexcellence or virtue. Or: The aim of phronesis is to
develop arete.
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
9/17
Character Virtue
Virtue forms your character; simply a positivecharacter trait.
The development of character virtue is not natural.They must be acquired by training. Just as webecome pianists by playing piano, we become just
by acting justly, courageous by actingcourageously, etc.
Through the development of practical reason,excellence becomes a habit, and you achieve
human flourishing. Or: through phronesis, aretaicpersonal qualities are cultivated, and eudaimonia(good life or human fluorishing/happiness) occurs.
Virtue is, quite literally, habit-forming, for Aristotle.It lies in doing , as much as in knowing.
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
10/17
Aristotle: The Golden Mean or
How is excellence to be
cultivated? Moral man = man of virtue. Virtue is NOT the opposite of vice.
Virtue is the mean between two
extremes a middle way. For eg., anexcellent appetite is the mean
between greed and crazed dieting
Finding this middle way is the key toleading a moral life or being in
balance.
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
11/17
The Golden Mean
The Golden Mean does not denyemotions.
Following the Golden Mean in any
situation depends on letting practicalwisdom, or phronesis, be the executive (in
charge), deciding which emotions to put
into practice through a balanced appetite
so producing eudaimonia: human
flourishing.
Eg.: The truly courageous person avoids
both excess (rashness) and deficiency
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
12/17
Moral Education & Virtue
Theory How do we become virtuous? We acquire a skill by practising the
activities involved in the skill.
We become brave through acts ofbravery
Becoming virtuous is a developmentalprocess, it requires moral education.
The end purpose of man, claimsAristotle, is rational thought and hishighest good is to be found in
intellectual virtue
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
13/17
Moral Education & Virtue
Theory So virtue is acquired by doing, not
theorising
Phronesis is acquired through
experience, through repetition andpractice. Hence, it takes a long whileto develop.
For the Virtue Theorist becoming
virtuous is a developmental process:need moral education
So What kind of Moral Education is
NEEDED??
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
14/17
Strengths of Virtue Theory
It encourages one to be more virtuousinstead of using ethical theories to
make decisions for us.
It stresses character- after allsomeone who helps the poor out of
compassion does seem morally
superior to someone who does it outof duty!
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
15/17
Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses of
Virtue Theory Offers no solution to specific moral
dilemmas
Not everyone has the equal
opportunity to develop morally do wejudge them the same?
Virtue ethics seems to praise somevirtues that we might see as immoral
e.g. US Soldiers fighting in Iraq (unjustwars) may be courageous but thatdoes not make them morally good.
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
16/17
Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses
of Virtue Theory Difficult to decide who is virtuous on the
outside since s/he may not necessarilyhave good motives.
No room for basic concepts such as
rights and obligations Does not always have a view about what
makes an act right or wrong. How do we decide which virtues are to
be cultivated the most? Why should we prefer certain ideals to
others?
7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg
17/17
Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses
of Virtue TheoryAristotles Golden Mean does not easily
apply to all virtues.
Eg. Is it possible to take compassion toan extreme, where it becomes a vice?
No guidance in situations where Virtuesconflict and when rules are needed toguide actions.
Seen as a selfish theory, placing greateremphasis on personal development thanon the effect of our actions on others.
Top Related