Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

Created by: MattyLew
Created on: 17-05-18 18:17


	Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics
	Advantages Practical, easy to put into practise. Not purely theoretical (like an abstract theory like Kantian ethics). Easily accessible as everyone can understand the virtues, no laws/rules to learn or follow. Focuses on the person rather than just an action or outcome. More holistic and well rounded Macintyre: not quandary ethics, not based on unlikely situations e.g. the Trolley problem Is in tune with contemporary interests e.g. searching for happiness but more than just a hedonistic formula like Bentham's Util Inclusive to both religious and secular people (Jesus praised the virtuous, "blessed are the meek") The Middle Way ensures a balance which is arguably useful guidance Motivates us to work on morality, opposed to other ethical theories which tell us what to do when faced with a moral dilemma It looks at what makes life worthwhile rather than looking at what is right or wrong in a particular situation. Enter bullet point Includes emotions rather than rejecting them, so is more in tune with how people naturally react to an ethical dilemma Encourages people to think of family and friend before yourself but also gives people autonomy Stresses the importance of motivating people to be food, the importance of education + good actions are their own reward Avoids relying on a formula, instead focuses on the kind of person we ought to be understands the need to distinguish good people from legalists (just because you follow the rules does not make you a good person)	Disadvantages Aristotle's virtues are anachronistic (belonging to another era therefore old-fashioned) so not relevant in today's society e.g. they are masculine virtues for a male dominated time (Carol Gilligan) Virtues can be culturally relative so identifying them can be difficult It is unclear due to a lack of formula - Robert Loudon argued VE does not help people when facing a crisis, because there is no clear rules given for action. It only advises people on phronesis: practical wisdom. Some immoral actions can be excused if the virtue being portrayed is seen as good e.g. soldiers fighting unjust wars may be courageous; this does not make them morally good What do we do when virtues clash? Susan Wolf claims that if everyone was virtuous there would be no variety or excitement. we need the negative traits to admire positive ones. The Golden Mean is not easy to apply to all issues as it is subjective. Which virtues should be cultivated the most? The lack of rules, clarity and process means it could be difficult to work out Is there any reason or telos where these virtues lead to? No single and definitive answer in what is to be done in moral dilemmas Doesn't concern right/wrong action in an ethical dilemma- just describe characteristics one ought to develop.
	Evaluation It is an admirable theory that looks how we can improve ourselves as individuals, or by doing virtuous acts instead simply following absolute laws; with no reason for doing so. As a result, it promotes human floourishing and better quality of life for the individual and those around them. However, in practise and especially in difficult moral dillemmas it is impractical as there is no clear guidelines for virtues conflicting or which are more important. Unlike Normative ethics which can provide clearer guidelines. Moral reasoning is arguing what is supposed to help us overcome ethical conflicts...what if one's reasoning is flawed or immoral? How do we act when we are only just developing the virtues, how long do they take?

Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

Advantages

Practical, easy to put into practise. Not purely theoretical (like an abstract theory like Kantian ethics). Easily accessible as everyone can understand the virtues, no laws/rules to learn or follow.
Focuses on the person rather than just an action or outcome. More holistic and well rounded
Macintyre: not quandary ethics, not based on unlikely situations e.g. the Trolley problem
Is in tune with contemporary interests e.g. searching for happiness but more than just a hedonistic formula like Bentham's Util
Inclusive to both religious and secular people (Jesus praised the virtuous, "blessed are the meek")
The Middle Way ensures a balance which is arguably useful guidance
Motivates us to work on morality, opposed to other ethical theories which tell us what to do when faced with a moral dilemma
It looks at what makes life worthwhile rather than looking at what is right or wrong in a particular situation.
Enter bullet point
Includes emotions rather than rejecting them, so is more in tune with how people naturally react to an ethical dilemma
Encourages people to think of family and friend before yourself but also gives people autonomy
Stresses the importance of motivating people to be food, the importance of education + good actions are their own reward
Avoids relying on a formula, instead focuses on the kind of person we ought to be
understands the need to distinguish good people from legalists (just because you follow the rules does not make you a good person)

Disadvantages

Aristotle's virtues are anachronistic (belonging to another era therefore old-fashioned) so not relevant in today's society e.g. they are masculine virtues for a male dominated time (Carol Gilligan)
Virtues can be culturally relative so identifying them can be difficult
It is unclear due to a lack of formula - Robert Loudon argued VE does not help people when facing a crisis, because there is no clear rules given for action. It only advises people on phronesis: practical wisdom.
Some immoral actions can be excused if the virtue being portrayed is seen as good e.g. soldiers fighting unjust wars may be courageous; this does not make them morally good
What do we do when virtues clash?
Susan Wolf claims that if everyone was virtuous there would be no variety or excitement. we need the negative traits to admire positive ones.
The Golden Mean is not easy to apply to all issues as it is subjective.
Which virtues should be cultivated the most? The lack of rules, clarity and process means it could be difficult to work out
Is there any reason or telos where these virtues lead to?
No single and definitive answer in what is to be done in moral dilemmas
Doesn't concern right/wrong action in an ethical dilemma- just describe characteristics one ought to develop.

Evaluation

It is an admirable theory that looks how we can improve ourselves as individuals, or by doing virtuous acts instead simply following absolute laws; with no reason for doing so. As a result, it promotes human floourishing and better quality of life for the individual and those around them. However, in practise and especially in difficult moral dillemmas it is impractical as there is no clear guidelines for virtues conflicting or which are more important. Unlike Normative ethics which can provide clearer guidelines. Moral reasoning is arguing what is supposed to help us overcome ethical conflicts...what if one's reasoning is flawed or immoral? How do we act when we are only just developing the virtues, how long do they take?

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Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics