Bioethics - Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory focused on developing good moral character rather than following rules or evaluating consequences. Aristotle.

Arete

Excellence, strength, or virtue.

Question that virtue ethics asks

"What kind of person should I be?" rather than simply "What should I do?"

Virtue ethics, vs Deontology and utilitarianism

Virtue ethics focuses on character; deontology focuses on duties; utilitarianism focuses on consequences.

Teleology (telos)

The idea that everything, including human actions, aims toward a purpose, goal, or good.

Instrumental vs Ultimate goods

Instrumental goods are pursued to achieve something else; ultimate goods are pursued for their own sake.

Eudaimonia

Human flourishing, happiness, or well-being; the ultimate goal of human life.

Aristotles definition of Happiness

Activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, especially the highest and most complete virtue.

Aristotles Function Argument

Everything has a characteristic function, and goodness comes from performing that function excellently.

Aristotles three parts of the soul

Nutritive (plants), sensitive (animals), and rational (humans).

Distinctive function of human beings

Rational activity, including reasoning, wisdom, moral virtue, and philosophical contemplation.

Insufficiency of survival and pleasure

Plants survive and animals experience pleasure; rational activity is what distinguishes humans.

Virtue (aristotle)

A state of character involving rational choices, emotions, and dispositions that achieves the appropriate mean between extremes.

Doctrine of the Mean (example)

Moral virtue lies between two vices: excess (too much) and deficiency (too little).Courage is the mean between rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency).

Everyones Moral Mean

No. It depends on the individual and the circumstances and is determined through practical wisdom.

Doctrine of the Mean vs all actions

It does not apply to absolute evils, such as murder, or absolute goods, such as pursuing wisdom.

Acquire Virtues

Through habituation—repeated practice, training, and making good choices.

Virtues vs feelings or natural abilities

Feelings and abilities occur naturally, but virtues are developed dispositions involving deliberate choice.

Advantages of virtue ethics

It develops good character, encourages personal improvement, and emphasizes relationships, community, and care for others.

Virtue ethics in moral dilemmas difficulty

It lacks universal rules for determining the correct action, especially when moral duties or interests conflict.

Stability Objection to virtue ethics

Character traits may not be fixed or reliable across different situations.

Cultural Relativism objection

Different cultures and perspectives may disagree about which character traits count as virtues.