Virtue Ethics

Eudaimonia: flourishing, happiness; is what Aristotle would say the virtuous persons' life goal

'Perfect Happiness' can only exist with the cultivation of our virtues; Eudaimonia is only brought about by virtuous actions.

Perfect life should consist of three things (to Aristotle):

-A life of enjoyment

-A life of freedom

-Being a philosopher

Virtue ethics, therefore, is an ethical system that is based, not on God, but on personal qualities. This means it isn't about rules or obligations, but rather is about how one can develop their own ethos in order to behave morally.

Arete: strength, excellence, virtue

Areology emphasizes virtues (strengths) and vices (weaknesses) of a character

Not 'what should i do?' but instead 'what kind of person should i be?'

MORAL:

courage

pride

generosity

ambition

truthfulness

friendliness

patience

INTELLECTUAL:

wisdom           scientific knowledge

intelligence      prudence

A proper proposition between two extremes:

Vice of excess & Vice of deficiency

'In this way, then, every knowledgeable person avoids the excess and deficiency, but looks for the mean and chooses it' 

These are defined through reason and balanced with other virtues:

• courage without good judgment is blind
• courage without perseverance is short-lived

STRENGTHS:

• Importance of person, motive, heart, and conscience
• Connection to community
• The realization that morality is not defined by moments but by a long-term process

WEAKNESSES:

• Dependance on strong communities
• Not easily applied to ethical issues or to give us practical solutions
• Demands time