Download Key Questions * Summarise Christian Views on VE

Key Questions – Summarise Christian Views on VE
1.
Why does Higginson think that the New Testament supports the idea of
virtue ethics over more action based ethical systems?
2.
What did Paul think was important to consider when we act?
3.
What is the Christians responsibility when it comes to the virtues given by
God?
4.
What did Christianity inherit from the Greek philosophers?
5.
Why were some of Aristotles virtues considered to be problematic in
Christianity?
6.
Which denominations of Christianity have emphasised character over rules?
7.
What is the danger with accepting VE as a practicing Christian?
Summarise Christian Views on VE
Complete the section of your handout related to Christian view on VE:
Exam Question
What do we need to know to offer a good response to these
questions?
“Virtue ethics is too general to guide people”
Assess this view (20)
“Virtue ethics is a weak ethical system” Assess this
view (20)
Strengths and Weaknesses
What strengths and weaknesses can you think of for a system based
on the character of the agent rather than their actions?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Strengths 1 - Flourishing
Does anyone know what this is?
Strengths 1 - Flourishing
We’ve already shown (in multiple examples) that the ultimate goal
of humanity seems to be happiness, VE is built around this. This
suggests that Aristotle had an understanding of humanity missing in
the other ethical theories.
Strengths 1 – Develops People
Rather than action centred (or problem centred) it focuses on the
person and what we can do to improve ourselves in all possible
ways. It takes into account every aspect of our character and looks
at how we can develop them.
Strengths 1 – Flexible
Different kinds of courage?
Strengths 1 – Flexible
The golden mean allows for extremes in some situations and
restraint in others. Each virtue to the right degree depending on the
circumstances.
Because of the nature of the Golden Mean it also allows flexibility
between agents as well (what is brash to you might be courage to
me if I have skills that you don’t).
Weaknesses 1 – Relativist
Which is modest?
Weaknesses 1 – Relativist
Values vary from one culture to another. When two clash there is no
way to decide who is right.
For example: Religious virtues clash e.g. modesty in Christianity vs
modesty in Islam, as well as personal virtues e.g. friendliness in
different cultures.
Weaknesses 1 – Unclear
What would the virtue ethicist say we should do in cases of animal
cruelty?
What about issues like abortion?
How about poverty?
Weaknesses 1 – Unclear
It’s unclear how to actually make moral decisions in any given
context using the virtues. Some situations might be obvious (usually
when they directly relate to one of the virtues) but others are less
so.
Weaknesses 1 – Rules In Disguise
If we say “courage is a virtue” what do we actually mean? Is it
possible we’re actually giving someone hidden rules to live by?
Weaknesses 1 – Rules In Disguise
Virtue Ethics is deontology in disguise! “Generosity is a virtue” just
means “Be generous”. It’s just a set of rules like Kant or Natural
Law.
Exam Question
Could we answer these questions successfully now?
“Virtue ethics is too general to guide people”
Assess this view (20)
“Virtue ethics is a weak ethical system” Assess this
view (20)
Another type of Exam Question
On whiteboards make a note of anything you can think of that
would help you answer this question:
“Virtue ethics is completely compatible with a
religious approach to ethics” Assess this view (20)
Virtue Ethics in Religion
Why might some people think that VE makes a good moral theory
for religions? Why might others disagree?
Good for Religions
Bad for Religions
Exam Question
On whiteboards make a note of anything you can think of that
would help you answer this question:
“Virtue ethics is completely compatible with a
religious approach to ethics” Assess this view (20)
Exam Question
Put together a rough plan (on whiteboards) for one of these
questions:
“Virtue ethics is too general to guide people”
Assess this view (20)
“Virtue ethics is a weak ethical system” Assess this
view (20)
“Virtue ethics is completely compatible with a
religious approach to ethics” Assess this view (20)