Chapter Nine: Chapter Nine: Virtue Theory Aretaic Ethics: Come from the Greek word arete which translates as “excellence” or “virtue” The virtue or value of the actions is not in the act, but is in the heart of the actor. Virtue Ethics emphasizes being a certain person with a certain quality of character.

Virtue Theory Seeks to produce excellent persons. Seeks to produce excellent persons. Seeks to have people act out of spontaneous goodness. Seeks to have people act out of spontaneous goodness. Seeks to have those who are excellent inspire others. Seeks to have those who are excellent inspire others. Aretic Ethics focuses on the goal of life which is to live well and achieve excellence. Aretic Ethics focuses on the goal of life which is to live well and achieve excellence.

Virtue Theory Virtues: trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral goodness Virtues: trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral goodness Vice: trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral wrongness Vice: trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral wrongness Cardinal virtues: main virtues of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice Cardinal virtues: main virtues of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice Theological virtues: faith, hope and charity Theological virtues: faith, hope and charity

The Nature of Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics claims that it is important to not only do the right thing, but also to have the correct disposition, motivation, and emotion in being good and doing right. Virtue Ethics claims that it is important to not only do the right thing, but also to have the correct disposition, motivation, and emotion in being good and doing right. Virtue Ethics is not only about action, but also about emotions, characters, and moral habits. Virtue Ethics is not only about action, but also about emotions, characters, and moral habits. Virtues traditionally divided into two types: moral and nonmoral virtues Virtues traditionally divided into two types: moral and nonmoral virtues

Moral Virtues Honesty Honesty Benevolence Benevolence Nonmalevolence Nonmalevolence Fairness Fairness Kindness Kindness Conscientiousness Conscientiousness Gratitude Gratitude

Nonmoral Virtues Courage Courage Optimism Optimism Rationality Rationality Self-Control Self-Control Patience Patience Endurance Endurance Industry Industry Musical Talent Musical Talent Cleanliness Cleanliness Wit Wit

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics To achieve a state of well being (eudaimonia), proper social institutions are necessary. To achieve a state of well being (eudaimonia), proper social institutions are necessary. The moral person cannot exist apart from a political setting that enables him or her to develop the requisite virtues for the good life. The moral person cannot exist apart from a political setting that enables him or her to develop the requisite virtues for the good life. Ethics is therefore considered a branch of politics. Ethics is therefore considered a branch of politics.

Aristotle Humanity has an essence, or function. Humanity has an essence, or function. The function of humans is to use their reason in pursuit of the good life. The function of humans is to use their reason in pursuit of the good life. Moral virtues are different from intellectual ones. Moral virtues are different from intellectual ones. By living well, we acquire the right habits. By living well, we acquire the right habits. These habits are the virtues. These habits are the virtues.

Aristotle Virtues exist between a mean that has excess and deficiency at either end. Virtues exist between a mean that has excess and deficiency at either end. We need to choose along this mean the proper course of action, towards the right conclusion. We need to choose along this mean the proper course of action, towards the right conclusion. People have unequal ability to be virtuous. Some have great ability; some lack it entirely. People have unequal ability to be virtuous. Some have great ability; some lack it entirely. Some people are worthless, natural slaves. Some people are worthless, natural slaves.

The Ideal Individual Father Maximilian Kolbe Father Maximilian Kolbe Jesus Jesus Socrates Socrates Gandhi Gandhi Mother Theresa Mother Theresa All of their lives have exhibited appropriate attitudes and dispositions of Virtue Ethics. All of their lives have exhibited appropriate attitudes and dispositions of Virtue Ethics.

Criticisms of Action-Based Ethics Action Based Ethics Lack a Motivational Component Action Based Ethics Lack a Motivational Component Action Based Ethics are Founded on an Obsolete Theological-Legal Model Action Based Ethics are Founded on an Obsolete Theological-Legal Model Action Based Ethics Ignore the Spontaneous Dimension of Ethics Action Based Ethics Ignore the Spontaneous Dimension of Ethics Action Based Ethics are Minimalist and Neglect the Development of Character Action Based Ethics are Minimalist and Neglect the Development of Character Action Based Ethics Overemphasize Autonomy and Neglect Community Action Based Ethics Overemphasize Autonomy and Neglect Community

Connections Between Virtue- Based and Action-Based Ethics Pure Virtue Ethics: The virtues are dominant and have intrinsic value. Moral rules or duties are derived from the virtues

Connections Between Virtue- Based and Action-Based Ethics Standard Action-Based view: Action-guiding principles are the essence of morality. The virtues are derived from the principles and are instrumental in performing right actions.

Connections Between Virtue- Based and Action-Based Ethics Complementarity (Pluralistic) Ethics: Both action-based and virtue-based models are necessary for an adequate and complete system. Neither the virtues nor the rules are primary; they complement each other, and both may have intrinsic value. Both action-based and virtue-based models are necessary for an adequate and complete system. Neither the virtues nor the rules are primary; they complement each other, and both may have intrinsic value.