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Essay Plan on Aristotelian Ethics
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Aristotle-25 marker‘Is Aristotle's Virtue Theory an accurate account of moral responsibility’
Introduction Aristotle can defend his virtue ethics, and is an accurate account of his virtue ethics.
Strong as it is built upon a flexible framework which does not limit an amoral agents actions
within strict ethical confines. However, placing emphasis on developing individual virtues which
promote moral excellence when faced with a challenge.
Outline aristotle's Agent centred, virtues, eudaimonia.
virtue ethics Aristotle's virtue ethics is agent centred which focuses on achieving eudaimonia (the good life)
through habitually exercising virtues(arete) and reason. Aristotle posits his ‘doctrine of the
mean’ which serves to exemplify the correct way to act by balancing a virtuous disposition
between two extremes (vices) for example, courageousness may be between the vices of
rashness and cowardness. By finding the Golden mean, an individual can use this to develop a
virtuous character in order to live a life led by reason.
No clear guidance The doctrine of the mean does not tell us how to ‘act moderately in every situation’, instead
telling us to ‘do the virtuous thing in every situation’. As an ethical theory which must be
applied with practicality, this is a severe weakness as agents should easily and effortlessly
know what the moral action is in a specific situation without deliberation.
Virtue theory isn't The criticism that there is no clear guidance misunderstands the essence of aristotle's virtue
meant as a set of ethics. Rather than giving importance to rules and moral guidelines, aristotle emphasises the
rules importance of developing the right character traits and dispositions, which empower those to
act virtuously in any situation. This is a very strong ethical framework as this gives the agent
moral flexibility without too much ethical restraint in moral decision making.
Strengthen this with Skill analogy, humans have potential to learn and develop skills which remove deliberation
development of from moral decision making.
practical wisdom Practical wisdom.
SKILL ANALOGY
A morally good life Nurse example. Spends entire life helping other people, does not enjoy her work however does
does not ensure it because she believes she is needed.
eudaimonia With such an example, our basic moral intuition would understand this as a morally
praiseworthy life, but in Aristotle's perspective, does not lead a moral life. This shows there is a
difference between what is morally good and eudaimonia, which aristotle's theory fails to
account for, instead it is concerned with self interest.
Misrepresents. Aristotle was never trying to answer the question of what a morally good life is, aristotle's
inquiry is more concerned with the good life in general. In response to the second point, being
virtuous and achieving eudaimonia does involve some level of commitment to others. For
example being kind, fair and courageous to others and being altruistic is a component of
eudaimonia. However altruism is not the only component of the good life, as being morally
good is necessary to achieve eudaimonia, however not sufficient. Aristotle can still hold praise
over a morally good life than a morally bad life, therefore not disregarding morally good lives
shows that it is not a failed account of eudaimonia.
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