WORKBOOK OF ETHICS:  VIRTUE ETHICS

 

 

Define the following:

 

                      Virtue (arête)

 

 

                       Character (ethos)

 

 

Practical wisdom (phronesis)

 

 

Happiness (eudaimonia)

 

 

 

The virtues:

 

Key question:  “What traits of character make me a good person?”

 

Identify four key virtues in Aristotelean ethics.

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

Identify four key virtues in Jesus’ life.

 

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

Alpha point:  what have been the effects of exalting such virtues as

                          obedience in Christian ethics?  (See extracts from Anscombe and

                          Rachels)

 

 

Why might Aristotelean ethics be called teleological?

 

                         The exercise of virtues are relative to function(ergon).

 

The function of man is to………………………………………………

 

The function of a good plumber is to…………………………………..

 

The function of a good teacher is to…………………………………..

 

 

How does Virtue Ethics differ from other teleological theories (eg Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism)?

 

                            1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

 

Courage is desirable because…………………………………………..

                        

                           Generosity is desirable because………………………………………..

 

                           Honesty is desirable because……………………………………………

 

                           Loyalty is desirable because……………………………………………..

 

 

                            Key Quote:  “Despite their differences, the virtues all have the same

General sort of value: they are all qualities needed for successful

human living”.  (Rachels  p170)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw a diagram illustrating Aristotle’s concept of the soul:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key quote:  “The good of man is an activity of the soul in conformity with virtue”.

 

Aristotle: Niomachean Ethics

 

 

What is the doctrine of the mean?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw a table below illustrating the doctrine of the mean, using four different virtues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write a short review of a film you have seen in which a virtue is illustrated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are three strengths and three weaknesses of virtue ethics?

          

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

 

 

 

What does Rachels mean by arguing “for this reason, it seems best to regard a theory of virtue as part of an overall theory of ethics rather than as a complete theory in itself”.  (Rachels p179)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For discussion:

 

• 1. Was Jesus a virtue ethicist?

 

 

• 2. Are virtues absolute or relative?

 

 

• 3. Are virtues too general to guide moral conduct?

 

 

 

Further reading

Alasdair MacIntyre          After Virtue Ch 12

James Rachels                 An introduction to Moral Philosophy  Ch 10