Eduqas Alevel RS Theme 1: B Virtue theory

what is the virtue theory

is an approach to Ethics that emphasizes an individual's character as the key element of ethical thinking, rather than rules about the acts themselves (Deontology) or their consequences (Consequentialism). It is an assessment if the kinds of personal qualities that contribute to making a good person rather than a system of rules and laws

how is the virtue theory different to the DCT

it doesn't tell you what to do like the DCT it rather suggests and emphasises how you should act. Theorists believe that if we can just focus on being good people the right actions will follow effortlessly.

who made the virtue theory

Aristotle

what is arete

excellence or moral virtue

what is teleological

greek word meaning end, goal or purpose. A moral there will consider the purpose of moral behaviour to decide whether it is good or not

why is the focus on a person character rather than their specific actions

Virtue theory is based on the greek word for virtue, arete. VT is teleological in that it considers the purpose of ethics bedbug I achieve good character by considering our mental state rather than the acts we perform. Virtue is achieved by mimicking or following the examples in order to develop the same desirable states. Some people will find this harder than others:

- the sophron = find it easy with little effort

- the enkrates = must work hard to achieve virtue

- the akrates = very weak willed and cannot overcome temptation

what is the aim of life

Eudeamonia. This is a greek word that translates into happiness or fulfilled. Aristotle argued that this is the aim, the end product and we should govern our lives by it in order for us to pursue happiness and pleasure. eudaemonia is achieved when we became virtuous and Aristotle agreed that this is a process that we grow towards by practicing virtues.

What is eudaimonia?

happiness or flourishing

what are the three types of happiness

Aristotle said that there are three kinds of happiness all of which are needed to achieve eudaemonia:

- pleasure seekers = a lifetime of enjoyment, these are the people who are driven by their basic desires and simply live from one pleasurable thing to the next. Such as eating good foods

- seekers of honour = a lifetime of freedom; Aristotle saw politicians as seekers of honour. These are people who try to find a solution to important problems to get a sense of honour from doing that

- those who love contemplation = being a philosopher, these are philosophers who thrive under reflection and contemplation

which does Aristotle think is the highest form of happiness

those who love contemplation, that those philosophers and thinkers are the ones of the highest order. However, wisdom is the most important characteristic of all and is explemified by someone who can maintain all three types of happiness. This is not easy to achieve but is important.

what are the intellectual virtues

learned through instruction developed in the rational part of the soul

what are virtues

healthy, good habits that help us do good and empower us to become what God wants us to be. Aristotle believed that human behaviour is made of two extremes which he called vices of excess and vices of deficiency. He believed that there are two types of virtues: intellectual and moral virtues. The intellectual virtues are learned through instruction and the moral through habit.

what is the doctrine of the mean

Virtue is the mean (intermediate) between the vice of excess and the vice of deficiency

how are moral virtues learnt

learned through habit, developed in the irrational part of the soul

what are the interest virtues

5 Primary virtues

- art or technical skill

- scientific knowledge

- prudence or practical wisdom

- intelligence of intuition

- wisdom

(4 secondary virtues)

- resourcefulness

- understanding

- judgement

- cleverness

what are the 12 moral virtues

these 12 virtues each all between two vices of excess and deficiency. the virtues are known as the golden mean. this is the middle path between two vices.

1. courage

2. temperance

3. liberality

4. generosity

5. prie

6. poper ambition

7. truthfulness

8. patience

9. wittiness

10. friendliness

11. modesty

12. righteous indignation

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for courage

excess: rashness

deficiency: cowarice

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for temperance

excess: licentiousness

deficiency: insensibility

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for liberality

excess: prodigality

deficiency: illiberality

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for generosity

excess: vulgarity

deficiency: pettiness

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for pride

excess: vanity

deficiency: humility

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for proper ambition

excess: over ambition

deficiency: lack of ambition

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for truthfulness

excess: boastfulness

deficiency: understandment

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for patience

excess: irascibility

deficiency: lack of spirit

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for wittiness

excess: buffoonery

deficiency:boorishness

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for friendliness

excess: obsequiousness

deficiency: cantankerousness

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for modesty

excess: shyness

deficiency: shamelessness

what is the vice of excess and efficiency for righteous indignation

excess: envy

deficiency: malicious enjoyment

what are the four cardinal values

the most important values of making a good person

- wisdom = habit of choosing right means to achieve worth ends

- justice = habit of rendering his or her rights

- temperance = habit of moderation in the use of pleasurable things

- courage = habit or restraining fear or moderation of rash behaviour in the face of danger or difficulty

why is wisdom the greatest cardinal value

Wisdom naturally is the overriding virtue, helping all others fall into place. It is wisdom that helps drive the other virtues and therefore making someone act in a morally virtuous or just way. For Aristotle, the greatest advocate (or follower/ example) of virtue, is one who pursues the loving (philos) and wise (sophos). Pythagoras first used this phrase to describe himself.

What are Jesus' teaching so the virtues

In the New Testament Matthew presents Jesus giving a long speech that has become known as the sermon on the most and these have become known as the beatitudes

What are the Beatitudes and what do they teach?

A series of teaching in which Jesus pronounces "blessed" unlikely groups of people. They also teach a state called beatitude

what are the beatitudes

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

where are other mentions of virtue in the Bible

1 Corinthians 13:13 St Paul priorities the virtues of faith, hope and love claiming that they are superior to any other actions and giving primacy to love.

Galatians 5:22-23 St Paul lists love, joy, peace and patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control as virtues

Miach 6:8 in the OT tells us that God requires us to love justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God

what the virtues and rewards from the sermon on the mount

poor in spirit (humbleness) = kingdom of heaven

mourn (sadness due to separation or loss) = comfort

meek ( submissive and gentle) = the earth

hunger and thirst for righteousness (seeking justice) = will be filled

merciful (compassion or forgiving) = shown mercy

pure in heart (sincere intentions) = will see God

peacemakers (bringing reconciliation) = called the children of God

persecuted for being righteous (suffer for standing by their principles) = Kingdom of heaven

what are the challenges that virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour

- there are no instructions regarding how to behave in specific situations

- we have no way of knowing whether we have achieved virtue of are still exhibiting a vice

- these virtues are old fashioned and do not help with modern dilemmas

- they are romantic and idealistic rather than practical. How do we legislate for this?

- circular idea: to be virtuous you should do gapped things, to do good things you should be virtuous

what is the issue of cultural relativism

- the list of virtues might differ according to culture or ages (Aristotle recognised this)

- what os moderate in one culture might not seem moderate in another.

- Aristotle virtues and Christs list of virtues contradict each other in places

- virtue doesn't condemn any act so it may fore us to tolerate terrible acts

- there is no clear method to decide who is more virtuous

how can virtues be used for immoral acts

- virtues could consider it courage to kill another person yet killing is wrong in most systems

- immoral acts could be performed due to difference in opinion or misuse of virtues

- virtue leads to subjunctaion of women by teaching them feminine virtues that benefit men

- it focuses on style (the way we are moral) over the substance (what is moral)

- virtue prioritises the needs of humans and ignore the needs of animals or the environment