1. Something to think about…
Why would Aristotle argue that bad people are themselves responsible for becoming bad?
(Clue: You should be able to answer this using the information from the VE topic)

2. Ethics Recap – Put the terms into 3 groups…
Utilitarianism
Virtues / Vices
Bentham / Mill / Singer
Function Argument
Deontology
Conception / Will
Duty
Consequentialist
Kant
Doctrine of the Mean
Preference
Habituation
Categorical Imperative
Pleasure
Eudaimonia
Universality / End in themselves
Virtue Ethics
Hedonic Calculus

3. Summary Sheet – 15 Minutes
Read through any feedback – then complete the Virtue Ethics summary sheet, use your handouts and the textbooks to help you. If you have any questions / worries / have missed anything about the VE topic so far – now would be the time to ask. If you complete the sheet use the information to test each other on what you’ve learned. Extension: What strengths does this approach to ethics have? What problems might people have with this approach to ethics?

4. What is meant by ‘Eudaimonia’? (3 marks)
What is a moral virtue according to Aristotle? (3 marks)
What does it mean to call an ethical theory character based rather than action based? (3 marks)
Briefly explain Aristotle’s function argument. (5 marks)
Briefly explain the doctrine of the mean (5 marks)
Briefly explain the role of habit and education in Virtue Ethics (5 marks)
Why are feelings important in Virtue Ethics? (5 marks)
What is practical wisdom and why do we need it to be ‘fully virtuous’ according to Aristotle? (12 marks)
What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary actions when it comes to our moral responsibility? (12 marks)
How is the idea of pleasure presented by Virtue Ethics different to that presented by Utilitarianism? (12 marks)

5. What is a moral virtue according to Aristotle? (3 marks)
Moral virtues are character traits or dispositions, acquired and developed through ethical training and habituation, that allow us to achieve our function and eventually Eudaimonia.

6. Briefly explain the role of habit and education in Virtue Ethics (5 marks)

7. How is the idea of pleasure presented by Virtue Ethics different to that presented by Utilitarianism? (12 marks)

8. What is practical wisdom and why do we need it to be ‘fully virtuous’ according to Aristotle? (12 marks)

9. Essay Questions – Virtue Ethics – T/P/S
Whilst we’ve not yet discussed strengths and weaknesses of the theory, we can consider what AO1 information we might need to include in an essay to properly outline the theory.
Bullet point the key pieces of VE you would definitely include in a 25 mark essay.
Share what you’ve noted down with the other people on your table.
Come up with a set of bullet points you all agree on as to what you would include.

10. Is Virtue Ethics the correct way of making moral decisions?
AO1 Info:

11. Is Virtue Ethics the correct way of making moral decisions?
Virtue ethics is a character based ethical theory developed by Aristotle that asks the question “How do I become a good person?” rather than “Is this action right or wrong?”. It focuses on the goal of Eudaimonia, a life of flourishing. In order to achieve this Aristotle suggests we should aim to develop virtues – dispositions (in the case of moral virtues) or decision making abilities (in the case of intellectual virtues) that help us to work towards this goal. These virtues are developed through habituation and practice, unlike other theories in which “good” and “bad” can be taught. Aristotle also makes the key point that moral virtues are not set, they are relative depending on the situation and people involved. This is part of what he calls the doctrine of the mean – aiming for the halfway point between too much of a particular disposition (vice of excess) and too little (vice of deficiency).

12. Utilitarianism Deontology Virtue Ethics
Consequentalist
Principle of Utility
Hedonic Calculus
Higher/Lower pleasures
Act
Rule
Preference
Bentham
Mill
Singer
Deontological
Kant
Categorical Imperative
Duty
Reason
End rather than means
Universalisability
Contradiction in conception
Contradiction in will
Agent-Centred
Eudaimonia
Function Argument
The Good
Rationality
Moral Virtue
Intellectual Virtue
Vice – Excess / Deficiency
Golden Mean / Doctrine of the Mean
Aristotle
Habituation
Voluntary Actions
For:
Against:

13. Homework Read carefully through the weaknesses text.
Outline the 4 issues with Virtue Ethics highlighted in the text. You may not need to read the entire text of each section to do this.
Can Aristotle or any other philosophers give responses to these criticisms? There are a number of potential responses to most of the weaknesses in the text. Add these to your notes.
Are these criticisms good / bad? Are they adequately answered by the responses?
Everyone should at least complete and have a go at Anyone aiming at higher grades should complete all 4.