Agent-centred morality
The focus is on the person doing the action rather than on the action itself
Altruistic
selflessness- a virtue
Arete
Virtue (a positive character trait, e.g. courage or honesty) "Moral virtue"/"Excellence". Used reason to reach Eudaimonia, Fulfilling our purpose
Aristotle
Greek philosopher (384-322 BC) 'The master' 'The philosopher' philosophy has a purpose born in greek colony studied under Plato when we do something we do it to gain an end, there is a chief. ultimate end. eudaimonia
Beatitudes
The teachings of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount in which he describes the actions and attitudes that should characterize Christians and by which one can discover genuine meaning and happiness. Matthew 5-7 (The Beatitudes/ Sermon on the Mount) "Blessed are the... Poor in Spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful the pure in heart the peacemakers, the persecuted...
For they shall inherit the earth."
Cultural Relativism
Criticism of VE. The list of virtues is supposed to be universal across time and culture but some of them vary. The example to use here is humility- Jesus preached that it is a good thing, whereas Aristotle specifically said that it is bad. In response once can argue that the core of the virtues- honesty, courage etc- really are universal
Eudaimonia
human flourishing- according to Aristotle, doing what is morally right is good for us and other people. To gain a short term end ie we eat not to feel hungry. Ultimate end = eudiamonia , that is the ultimate end, the greatest goal.
Foot
Phillipa Foot Too optimistic?
Golden Mean (Aristotle)
the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency of the relevant appetite. Courage is the mid point e.g. You can't have too much or too little courage- by definition courage is the right amount- but you can have too much (rashness) or too little (cowardice) of the appetite for danger
Hierarchy of souls
Plants (vegetative soul), animals (sensitive soul), humans (rational soul)
Phronesis
Practical wisdom- knowing what to do in an ethical situation. It h ps us understand how to become happy. The purpose of philosophy
skill analogy
Aristotle says you become a good person by practice, in the same way you become a good archer
The Virtuous Man
An exemplar of a good person who helps us understand what we should do in a particular situation
Intellectual virtues
Qualities of thought which the mind arrives at truth (including practical wisdom but also theoretical wisdom)
Interest
In defining moral people
Inexact science
Criticism of VE- it doesn't give you specific rules. E.g. what use is it being told to "be courageous" when thinking about Mary and Jodie? In response, VE can say it IS practical- it just isn't PRESCRIPTIVE, and by definition agent-centred ethics won't be (Aristotle says ethics is an INEXACT SCIENCE like medicine)
Immoral Acts
Criticism of VE. Following the virtues doesn't guarantee that you are morally good- Geach has the example of a courageous Nazi who is actively using his virtue to further evil ends. In response though Aristotle didn't claim that following the virtues is ENOUGH but rather that it is the MINIMUM- i.e. they are necessary but not sufficient conditions of being morally good. Also, the courageous Nazi might be brave but they don't have the other virtues.
Justice
Justice has altruistic value - considers the good of others as an end. Some virtues benefit the self and others. eg a soldier who dies in battle benefits those who will survive as a result. Has no mean- its a simple extreme, unites all virtues as it requires people to be brave, temperate etc ARTISTOTLE- '..Every virtue is summed up' (in justice) fairness, 2 types, distributional, rectifying. Moral agents are responsible for acts of injustice he does voluntarily, not responsible for injustice through ignorance unless it is willfull (ie turning a blind eye to consequences)
MacIntyre
Alistair MacIntyre modern propenet of VE in his book After Virtue, focuses on the Virtues of the Polis or community.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil,a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Reason
Human 'function'.
Temperance
insensibility-temperance-licentiousness (self-indulgence, liberality) excess no such thing as a deficiency? Self centered person trains to enjoy natural appetites and is disgusted by a licentious man's actions
Virtuous role models
Moral exemplars- ruly virtuous people who we look for guidance in, we follow to learn.WWJD? What would Jesus do? Aristotle, Paul and Aquinas suggest we learn from or 'catch' role models the virtues
Virtue Ethics
If you are a virtuous person, virtuous behaviour will be innate/'effortless' Right character comes before right behaviour we should be less concerned with outcomes and consequences - more concerned with the character of the moral agent. Once we are more moral we will do the right thing.
Virtue
A skill learnt through experience, becomes habitual - golden mean Need to maintain the virtues, you can lose a virtue (e.g. if you overindulge, you will lose the virtue of temperance) and virtues are NOT innate. Aristtole spoke of 11 Virtues: courage, temperance, liberality, minificence, high mindedness, right ambition, good temper, friendliness, sincerity, wittiness, modesty, just resentment