To what extent do modern versions of V.E address the weaknesses of Aristotle's teaching on virtue?

What is virtue ethics?
1. Does not focus on what the right thing/act to do is (like utilitarianism or NL) but on HOW TO DEVELOP A GOOD CHARACTER
  1. Concentrates on defining good people and the virtues that make them good
2. Old theory dating back to Aristotle and Plato
3. Agent-centered - Virtue ethics concentrates on the person or the agent performing the actions.
  1. It is not concerned with the motive or the consequence of an action but rather the person
    1. therefore resists a teleological/deontological classification
Aristotle's teachings
1. Argued that as humans everything we want or desire should lead to happiness, because happiness is good as an end in itself.
  1. the ultimate happiness we all aim for is called eudaimonia. In order to reach eudaimonia, Aristotle stated, we must be virtuous people.
2. rejected action-based ethics. He said that an action may seem good but have a bad motive - this is the exact opposite of the utilitarian view, which argues that motive is irrelevant.
  1. Virtue ethicists say the action is irrelevant but the motive is pivotal because it shapes who we are as people.

Resource summary

	Created by Lana Buckland about 10 years ago