Virtue ethics flash cards

Shortened version of the revision cards that i have made. These are all about virtue ethics and the main ethicists to do wtih this theory :) ENJOY!!

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  • Created by: Abitracey
  • Created on: 15-02-13 12:14
What is virtue ethics?
It focuses on how to be a good person. It looks at what qualities and virtues makes someone good. Agent centred. Virtue and vice. Relative. Presupposes we have freewill.
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How do you work out what a virtuous act is?
Using the doctrine of the mean. It decides which is the correct moral virtue by deciding the middle point between the two extremes. Have to use your reason.
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Plato
When cardinal virtues are in balance a person's life will be good. Happiness must be attained through the persuit of virtue and actions are good when they help to achieve this. Plato's theory does not judge particular actions.
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Aristotle
Anthenian virtues. We engage in ethics to become good. Things are good as means and some are good as ends. There is one final good: EUDAIMONIA. Virtues shape human character therefore behaviour too. Humans are rational and social.
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What are the 4 types of people according to Aristole?
1- virtuous (Face no moral dilemma, they are good) 2-Continent (Do moral things most of the time, have to overcome dilemma) 3-Incontinent: Face moral conflict, usually chose the vice. 4-Vicious: don’t attempt to be virtuous.
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What are the two types of vitues and how do we get them?
Intellectual virtues developed by training and education, Moral virtues developed by habit. We acquire virtues by first doing virtuous acts. We acquire a skill by practising the activities involved in the skill. We are all capable of being virtuous.
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The golden mean (Doctrine of the mean)
This involves finding the balance between the two means- this is the best way to live in society, as extremes of character are unhelpful. Aristotle said that virtues are to be found between two vices, each involves either an excess or a deficiency.
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Is the mean the same for everyone? (Aristotle)
No.Depends on circumstance. Need to apply phronesis- this is aquired as we grow up and become more autonomous.
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What did Aristotle say about 'Habit'?
Virtues develop naturally in a minority of people. Otherwise you have to practice being virtuous in order to make it a habit.
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Anscombe and virtue ethics
what does right and wrong mean without a lawgiver? Suggets a eudaimonia without God. Act based ethics does not make sense and neglects community aspects of morality.
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Foot and virtue ethics
A virtue does not operate as a virtue when turned to a bad end. Virtues benefit the individual. Help us to correct temptations and harmful passions. Virtuous person does more than conform to societie's conventions.
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MacIntyre and virtue ethics
Most people's attitudes are based on emotivism. Theories lost sight of people's telos. It's the shared practices of a community that help cultivate virtues. Difference between homeric, Aristolein and Christian virtues.
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Strengths of virtue ethics
-Don't have to use a formula. -Stresses motivating people to be good. -involves entire life. -allows us to be biased in favour of friends and fsmily. -doesn;t pretend to tell us what a good person would do in every situation.
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Weaknesses of virtue ethics
-Are virtues culturally relative? -how can virtues be applied to moral dilemmas? -praises some virtues we may see as immoral. -difficult to say who is virtuous. -Being virtuous may not affect our telos..
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Using the doctrine of the mean. It decides which is the correct moral virtue by deciding the middle point between the two extremes. Have to use your reason.

Back

How do you work out what a virtuous act is?

Card 3

Front

When cardinal virtues are in balance a person's life will be good. Happiness must be attained through the persuit of virtue and actions are good when they help to achieve this. Plato's theory does not judge particular actions.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Anthenian virtues. We engage in ethics to become good. Things are good as means and some are good as ends. There is one final good: EUDAIMONIA. Virtues shape human character therefore behaviour too. Humans are rational and social.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

1- virtuous (Face no moral dilemma, they are good) 2-Continent (Do moral things most of the time, have to overcome dilemma) 3-Incontinent: Face moral conflict, usually chose the vice. 4-Vicious: don’t attempt to be virtuous.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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