Ethical Theories & Virtue Ethics
Table of Contents
1. Ethical Theories
1.1. Irrational ethical theories
simple relativism: there is no ethical truth.
(RESP) If there is no ethical truth, then it applies to itself
So, it is not true.
Perspectivism: every ethical truth is a interpertation/prespective
reductio on previous claim fails!
divine command theory : the ethical trush is whatever God says it is.
(RESP) gods could not make torturing children ethical if they comand you to do it.
1.2. Reasonably Justifiable Ethical Theories
Virtue Ethics
Really about character
what type of person should i be
Consequentialism
Relates to the consuquences and the pursuit of maximizin happiness.
Deontology
Based on our duties and respecting someones dignity.
EX: lying to someone could maximize someones happiness but strip their dignity.
Connections To Justice
Virtue Ethics: justice is getting what you deserve
Consquentialism: justice is what protects the preconditions of happiness
Deontology: Justice onsists in respecting the right of the person
2. Virtue Ethics
2.1. Three Main Concepts, Plus One
- Happiness
- Function
- most important characteristic of a human
- Virtue
- traits that make up that function
Plust Practical Wisdom
2.1.1. Eudaimonia (happiness)
(QUESTION) What is the best life, highest of all goods?
if we know it we can know how to live.
Answer: HAPPINESS
formal properities of the “highest good”
- Has to be desired for itself and not a means to get something else.
- It should be self-sufficent, cant add anything to make it any better.
Aristotles concept of happiness is objective not subjective.
- being healthy or flourishing
Is a simulated life that is happy better than a real life that is happy?
Aristotle says no because a simulated life can have the aspect of it being real added to it, meaning it is not the highest form of life.
Eudaimonia also requires a degree of external good fortune to achieve.
2.1.2. Ergon (function)
If a human has a function then the good doign relys inside this this function.
Major Objection: Humans don’t have functions
Whatever is essential to something is that things ergon.
So, whatever is essential to being a human is its function.
What is the human ergon ?
Aristotle Answers: is the activity of the soul in accord with reason or requiring reason(rational activity).
Therefore: the best good a human being can achieve consists in rational activity of the soul in accord with virtue.
Major Objection: Aristotles function argument is Invalid.
Defined what a good human is but not the best for the human.
The best for a knife is not the same that makes a good knife.
2.1.3. Arete (Virtue)
The things that helps you preform your function well.
Has to do with your feelings as well.
Objection: but does good performance of the human function make one a morally virtous human being?
Courage is balance between fear and aggression and is needed within virtues.
Important virtue is temperance because it is needed for other virtues.
2.1.4. Phronesis (practical wisdom)
The ability to reason well about the virtues(why/how should we have them).
In order to develop wisdom you need experience in life to shape your character.
2.2. Four Characters
Good(virtous) => correctly judges things worth pursuing and chooses the thing to pursue.
- has desire
- wants to donate to charity and does.
Bad => incorectly judges the thing worth pursuing chooses the things NOT worth pursuing and gets pleasure.
Continent => correctly judges things and pursues but doesn’t want to.
- has no desire
Incontinent => correctly judges things but does not pursue.