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Virtue Ethics and Deontology
Virtue Ethics and Deontology
Virtue Ethics and Deontology
AND DEONTOLOGY
WHAT IS VIRTUE ETHICS?
Virtue ethics is a broad term for
theories that emphasize the role of
character and virtue in moral philosophy
rather than either doing one’s duty or
acting in order to bring about good
consequences.
VIRTUE ETHICS THEORIES
1. Eudaimonism – ( Aristotle, Rosalind Hursthouse, Philippa Foot, Thomas
Hurka)
The good life is the life of virtue and the life of virtue is an activity in
accordance with reason, mans highest function.
2. Agent Based – (Michael Slote )
An account of virtue on our most common – sense about which
character traits are admirable.
Human traits such as benevolence, kindness, and compassion Are
admirable and we identify them with people who are moral exemplars.
3. The Ethics Of Care – (Neil Noddings, Virginia Held, Annette Baier)
Mainly Developed by feminist thinker.
Calls for a change in how morality is viewed from a masculine –
based morality which emphasizes justice and autonomy, to feminine
virtues such as caring for others, patience, the ability to nurture and self
– sacrifice.
ARISTOTLE: ON VIRTUE AND THE GOOD
LIFE
According to Aristotle men seek happiness in either pleasure,
honor, and contemplation.
“ To judge by their lives, the masses and the most
vulgar seem – not necessary to believe that the good or
happiness is pleasure. Accordingly they ask for nothing
better than the life of enjoyment”
This is why most give their lives over bodily pleasures,
but that should not be the case.
SPECULATIVE VIRTUES
Understanding – knowledge of first principles and
self evident truths.
Science – the virtue that allows man to draw
conclusions based on and derived from the first
principle.
Wisdom – knowledge of things in their ultimate
explanations whereby all principles truth and
conclusions are synthesized into a coherent whole.
PRACTICAL VIRTUES