Virtue: Aristotle and Confucius

Virtue Focus is on “How should I live? What kind of a person should I be?” Rather than on “What should be done in this situation?” In other words, the focus in on personal character, rather than action. A good person is virtuous –has the right character traits in the right balance.

What is a Virtue? General virtue – an abiding character trait that makes one a good friend and a good citizen –A golden mean between extremes. All humans should have general virtues, regardless of their particular circumstances.

Special Virtues An abiding character trait that –helps you to fulfill your function in society well. –as long as a reasonably good society would include this role. Vice –a character trait that undermines your ability to function as a good friend, good citizen and to fulfill your function well.

Becoming Virtuous We are taught. We behave according to the dictates of virtue. We begin to understand what is virtuous. We want to be virtuous, but sometimes fail. Our desires and the dictates of virtue coincide.

Why be virtuous? We want others to be virtuous because we value good friends, and a good and efficient society. Fairness demands we be virtuous too. True human happiness can only be achieved in a virtuous life.

Sample virtues From Aristotle: courage, generosity, magnificence, high mindedness, gentleness, friendliness, truthfulness, wittiness, wisdom From Christian tradition: faith, hope, charity, chastity, piety, humility, obedience

Confucianism The morally superior person –Has moral equals as friends, –Is more concerned with duty than with desire, –Always acts in accord with moral principles, but is not insensitive to others, –Seeks to improve own virtues, but not others though others will be influenced by his/her example, –Becomes prominent by helping others to be prominent.

Central Confucian virtues Humanity (jen): love others. You can have jen if you practice 5 things: –Earnestness, liberality, truthfulness, diligence and generosity Propriety (li): follow the established rules of society to preserve harmony Filial piety (hsiao): support parents with reverence

Other Confucian virtues loyalty justice broadmindedness benevolence dignity wisdom courage righteousness

Decision Procedure for Deciding What to Do What would a good friend do? What would a good citizen do? What special virtues should I have, given my role? What would a person with these virtues do? What kind of a person do I want to be? What would this person do in this situation? How will my actions influence my character? Do I want to move in that direction?

Decision Procedure For Assessing Character What virtues/vices did we see in this case? What role did these virtues/vices play? What will be the effect on character of behaving this way? What virtues should have been displayed? How would things have turned out differently if these virtues were displayed?