Evaluation of Virtue Ethics (Extra)

Evaluation of Virtue Ethics (Extra)

1. Benefits

   • Richard Taylor - " ethics of aspiration rather than ethical duty"
     • focuses on growth of the moral agent.
       • Deontological ethics e.g. divine command and Kant reject emotions.
   • Freud - emotions are important for human development
     • Martha Nussbaum " life is not complete if emotions are not cultivated"
       • Martha- V.E. has major strengths over Kant's categorical imperative. Reason is important for following good will. Whilst desires lead to individual astray. Virtue ethics pay attention to emotions and lets reason cultivate the whole person.
   • V.E cultivates emotions through Aristotle's model of PHRONESIS -emotions-appetite
     • Reason = Phronesis (wisdom) Emotions = Courage (bravery) Appetite = temperance (selfcontrol)
       • EUDAIMONIA - reason is the executive. Deciding when to act upon emotions through balanced appetite.

2. AKRASIA (weakness of will)

   • For Aristotle, the antidote for Akrasia is found by human beings following rational choice over desires.
     • Phronesis - intepreting a moral dilemma from a holistic approach (using emotions)
       • Following Golden Mean, ultimate authority is found and central to humans.

3. V.E is compatible to human life. Recognises paradox of human living

   • consistency of character
     • Agent not act = Flexibility!
       • life is in state of Flux - change!

4. Promotes Individual Autonomy

   • Avoids legalistic absolute theories e.g. Natural law condem contraception.
     • V.E uses reason and phronesis e.g. use contraception to avoid STI.

5. John Hick - V.W takes serious problems which people face.

   • Philippa Foot- V.E corrects deviant behaviour
     • Vaclav Havel- stood up against Communism even though this means being imprisoned.

6. Today's society we are pressured by...

   • Materialism
     • Technology
       • Egoism
     • may result in loss of self understanding.
       • V.E benefits individual and society.
         • Euadaimonia