virtue theory concentrates on a persons character, more specifically it concentrates on developing a person's character and reducing their vices
virtues= good characteristics
vices= bad characteristics
virtue theory seeks to determine wheter there are any key virtues that underpin a good character. for example, what made martin luther king a good person
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Aristotle: Background
he was an ancient greek philosopher
he reasoned out a set of virtues that helped a moral agent to be a successful member of their community
following these virtues would bring eudaimonia (ultimate happiness)
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Aristotle: moral virtues
from studying someone who has achieved eudaimonia aristotle developed '12 moral virtues'
these virtues could only be developed through practice
some of these are courage and wittiness
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Aristotle: Doctrine of the mean
he argued that achieveing the moral virtues was a matter of balancing between the two extremes with practice
the way to achieve the moral vritue is to avoid the two extemes
for example, to achieve wittiness we must avoid buffoonery and boorishness
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Aristotle; Phronesis
he also believed that underpinning all the moral virtues is phronesis (practical wisdom)
it helps to decide the 'midway point' in any moral situation, meaning the excess and deficency can vary depending on the situation
"the virtuous person has practical wisdom, the ability to know when and how best to apply the virtues"
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Aristotle: intellectual virtues
they are associated with our minds and are intended to improve the quality of our minds
they need to be cultivated through instruction and guidance
there are nine intellectual virtues with five primary and four secondary
scientific knowledge (primary) : learning facts so that you have knowledge
understanding (secondary) : to be able to analyse and evaluate those facts
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contributor 2- Jesus
many christians associate christian virtues with jesus
his teachings on virtues occured in his 'sermon on the mount' within the 'beatitudes'
the 8 beatitudes encourage postive transformation of the inner character with emphasis on humility, charity and sisterly love
For example,
'blessed are the poor in spirit' - encouraging the virtue of humbleness
'blessed are those with mercy' - the virtue of compassion
'blessed are those pure of heart' - virtue of selfless love
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Challenges to virtue theory
virtues are not a practical guide = virtue theory gives no specific guidance about which actions are good or bad. william frankena "virtues without principles are blind'
issues of cultural relativism = key virtues differ from culture to culture so its ineffective
virtues can be used for immoral acts = it can be argued that morality based on virtues could lead to evil/bad actions. e.g. bank robber needs courage to rob the bank
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