Contemporary Moral Problems M-F12:00-1:00SAV 264 Instructor: Benjamin Hole Email: bvhole@uw.edu Office Hours: everyday after class

Clicker Quiz HURSTHOUSE Agenda Clicker Quiz HURSTHOUSE

What is Hursthouse’s conclusion about abortion? Depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others. Even in cases where it is right, guilt and remorse are sometimes called for. The loss of the future to the standard fetus... could be justified only by the most compelling reasons. Abortion is morally impermissible because familiar biological facts of abortion are irrelevant to the practical reasoning of a virtuous agent. Abortion is morally permissible because deontological and utilitarian ethical theories have irresolvable conflict built into them. Abortion is morally permissible, at least in many cases, because the right to life is merely negative.

it is what a virtuous person would do in the circumstances According to Hursthouse’s characterization of virtue ethics, an action is right if and only if: it is what a virtuous person would do in the circumstances it is what a vicious person would not avoid doing in the circumstances it produces the most virtue in the world, compared to alternative actions it does not violate the rights of any person with moral standing all of the above none of the above

Hursthouse claims: Eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness. Virtue ethics is not trivially circular. Virtue ethics answers the questions “What should I do?” as well as “What kind of person should I be?” Virtue ethics does involve rules or principles. Virtue theory is not committed to reductionism. All of the above. None of the above.

Some initial clarifications Eudaimonia is a difficult concept, but not substantially more so than rationality or happiness. Virtue ethics is not trivially circular. Virtue ethics answers the questions “What should I do?” as well as “What kind of person should I be?” Virtue ethics does involve rules or principles. Virtue theory is not committed to reductionism. 6

Two more objections to virtue ethics Which character traits are virtues is disputed, and subject to the threat of moral skepticism or relativism. Virtue ethics has unresolvable conflict built into it (as virtues often conflict). Hursthouse: These are equally problems for rival ethical theories, such as deontology and consequentialism. 7

The major criticism of virtue Objection: Virtue can’t “get us anywhere” because it relies on: Understanding of virtues and vices. Evaluative concepts such as the worthwhile. 8

The major criticism of virtue Objection: Virtue can’t “get us anywhere” because it relies on: Understanding of virtues and vices. Evaluative concepts such as the worthwhile. Hursthouse’s Response The major criticism places unreasonable constraints on an adequate moral theory. A discussion of abortion makes clear the ways in which virtue theory can shed light on moral issues. 9

Virtue and Abortion Does not focus on Does focus on Rights of the woman Moral status of the fetus Does focus on Biological facts surrounding abortion The thoughts and feelings that ought to accompany the circumstances Hursthouse claims that we should begin by asking how the familiar biological facts of abortion figure in the practical reasoning of a virtuous agent. Reflection on these facts prompts the realization that pregnancy is not just one among many physical conditions, but a state that is typically attended by strong emotions and attachments. 10

Virtue and Abortion Does not focus on Does focus on Rights of the woman Moral status of the fetus Does focus on Biological facts surrounding abortion The thoughts and feelings that ought to accompany the circumstances Hursthouse's Conclusion Depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others. Even in cases where it is right, guilt and remorse are sometimes called for. 11

Hursthouse’s (entire) argument that depending on the circumstances, abortion can be right in some cases but not in others. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree

Evaluating a Theory Explanatory Power Practical Guidance Bentham’s Consequentialism Mill’s Consequentialism MacKinnon’s Feminism Kantian Ethics Natural Law Theory Virtue Ethical Theory Evaluating a Theory Explanatory Power Practical Guidance “A moral theory should feature principles that explain our more specific considered moral beliefs, this helping us understand why certain actions, persons, and other objects of moral evaluation are right or wrong, good or bad. The better a theory’s principles in providing such explanations, the better the theory.” “A moral theory should feature principles that are useful in guiding moral deliberation toward correct or justified moral verdicts about particular issues which we can then use to help guide choice. The better a theory’s principles are in providing practical guidance, the better the theory.”

Which ethical theory has the most explanatory power? Bentham’s Consequentialism Mill’s Consequentialism MacKinnon’s Feminism Kantian Ethics Natural Law Theory Virtue Ethical Theory

Which ethical theory has the most practical guidance? Bentham’s Consequentialism Mill’s Consequentialism MacKinnon’s Feminism Kantian Ethics Natural Law Theory Virtue Ethical Theory