Virtue reading

What is a virtue?

A relatively fixed trait of character or mind involving thought, feeling, and action that is morally praiseworthy.

What is a vice?

A fixed trait of character or mind that is morally blameworthy.

Example of a virtue with 3 components?

Honesty → Intellectual (knowing when truth is needed), Emotional (approving truth, guilt at lying), Behavioral (habitually telling truth).

How are virtues acquired?

By repeated practice in situations that call for them, not by nature.

What is Aristotle’s highest human good?

Eudaimonia = happiness/flourishing.

What is Aristotle’s function argument?

Human function = rational activity; flourishing = living rationally in accordance with virtue.

What is the Doctrine of the Mean?

Virtue is a balance between extremes (e.g., courage between cowardice and recklessness).

What is phronesis (practical wisdom)?

The judgment needed to apply virtues correctly in real situations.

What is the reciprocity of the virtues?

Having one true virtue requires having others (e.g., justice requires temperance).

What makes an action right in virtue ethics?

An act is right if a virtuous person (acting in character) would do it.

What makes an action wrong in virtue ethics?

An act is wrong if a virtuous person would avoid it.

What makes an action optional in virtue ethics?

An act is optional if a virtuous person might or might not do it.

How is virtue ethics different from Kantian or utilitarian ethics?

It focuses on character (“What sort of person should I be?”) rather than just rules or consequences.

Strengths of virtue ethics?

Less abstract, not reductive, emphasizes moral judgment, fits with special relationships.

Main objections to virtue ethics?

1. Indeterminacy – vague guidance.

2. Virtue skepticism – psychologists doubt stable traits exist.

3. Circularity – defines right action by virtuous person.

4. Relativism – risks tying virtues to culture.

What version of virtue ethics does Timmons favor?

A pluralistic virtue ethics (multiple virtues, no fixed hierarchy, guided by judgment).