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Summary A* notes - Theme 1 Ethical Thought: Virtue Theory & Challenges
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RELIGION AND ETHICSB. Virtue Theory & Challenges
● Virtue Theory is a normative ethical system that assesses the personal
qualities that make someone a good person
● It is based on the Greek word for virtue: arete
● Whereas other ethical systems are based on blind obedience to ethical codes,
Virtue Theory focuses on developing one’s moral character by practising
virtuous habits.
● It is teleological since it argues that we can achieve virtue by following the
example of other ethical people to develop the same character traits over time
Aristotle’s Virtue Theory
Ancient Greek philosopher, an empiricist (claims that all knowledge comes from
sense experience)
● Aristotle believed that everything had a ‘telos’ (end), and everything is
directed towards a purpose
● There are two types of aims;
(1) subordinate aims are the subordinate aims we must achieve before
achieving superior aims
(2) superior aims are the superior goals. To illustrate, if you were hungry
you would first need to make a sandwich (the superior aim) to satisfy
your hunger (the subordinate aim)
● The superior aim of life is Eudaemonia - Greek for ‘happiness’ or ‘human
flourishing’
● Eudaemonia is only achieved when we become virtuous, which can only be
achieved through a lifetime of practising virtues (arête) - the good
characteristics we have, such as kindness, patience etc. and exercising
practical wisdom (phronesis)
, ● Instrument analogy: the more you practice the piano, for example, the better
you get at playing it
● Likewise, the more you practise your virtues, the closer you get to achieving
Eudaimonia
● Aristotle realised that people had different views of happiness and
distinguished between three types:
(1) the pleasure seekers driven by basic individual desires e.g., eating food, sleeping
(2) the honour seekers who get a sense of honour and pleasure from being a member
of a community and finding solutions to important problems
(3) the lovers of contemplations who find happiness in thought and reflection e.g.,
philosophers
● He believed that the pleasure seekers had the lowest form of happiness, a
“bovine existence” - living like animals that live from pleasure to pleasure
● As humans, we have the ability to reason, which comes from our souls. We are
the “rational animal”
● This ability distinguishes us from ordinary animals, therefore we should strive
for something better with our lives and use our reason to create the happiest
life for ourselves and society.
Aristotle's Virtues
● A virtue (arête) is a quality of moral excellence
● Aristotle believed people needed to develop virtues to help them achieve
Eudaemonia
There are two types of virtue:
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