Download Virtue Theory - Moraine Park Technical College

Shawna Hartman
Elisabeth Herman
Lisa Zimmer
Tuesday 5:30
Ethical Theories Presentation
10/27/09
What are Virtues?
 Character traits/Attitudes
 There are many different kinds of Virtues.
 Virtues can be balanced.
What is Virtue Ethics?
 Virtue theory assumes we have an ideal humanity.
 Virtues are those strengths of character that enable us
to flourish.
 Virtue theorists also emphasize the need to break bad
habits.
Aristotle
 Western theory of virtue
comes from Aristotle
(384-322 BCE)
 He created the platform
on which Western Virtue
Theory is based.
Greek View of Virtue
 Rational Animals
 Essential Human Function
 Virtues of Temperance, prudence, courage, and justice.
Christianized Greek View
 St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274)
 Aquinas borrowed and built on Aristotle's work.
 New focus
 Adds virtues of faith, hope and charity
Eastern Views of Virtue
 Buddhist/Taoist
 Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century BCE?)
 “Self” is an imagined entity.
 Main virtue traits are tranquility, nonattachment,
compassion, truthful speech and thought
Tao Te Ching
“When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.”
Confucius
 551-479 BCE
 How he contributed to
Confucian Virtue Theory
Confucian view of virtue
 Greatest virtue is humanity (aka humaneness,
kindheartedness, or benevolence).
 This view focuses on Relationships.
 Harmony
Ethical Dilemma
 Death Penalty
 Does the death penalty deter violent crime?
Virtue Theory Application
 Considers morals, reputation, and motivation
 Death penalty from a Buddhist virtue perspective:
 Nonviolence
 Non-Attachment
 Compassion
Criticism #1
 Different people, cultures, and societies often have
different opinions on what constitutes a virtue.
 Virtue theories are too rigid and inflexible because
they rely on one rule or principle.
Criticism #2
 It lacks absolute moral rules which can give clear
guidance on how to act in specific circumstances such
as abortion.
 How can we be sure the models proposed are ideal
unless we invoke moral rules to evaluate them?
Summary/Final Thoughts
 There are several different perspectives about Virtue
Ethics.
 Virtue isn’t “out there,” or something unobtainable.
 “Moral Character is an ongoing project”
Review Questions
1.
How might virtues play a role in your life?
2. Which viewpoint can you most relate to and why?
Eastern? Western?
3. In your opinion, should we apply the virtue theory
when considering the death penalty?