AS Religious Ethics Virtue Ethics Foundation Paper Revision Part 2

AS Religious Ethics

Virtue Ethics

Foundation Paper

Revision Part 2

Criticisms of Virtue EthicsCriticisms of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics seeks the Virtue ethics seeks the happiness of the happiness of the

individual:individual:

the benefits for society the benefits for society appear to be incidental.appear to be incidental.


I work for the benefit of I work for the benefit of society. I do this society. I do this

simply so that I am simply so that I am less likely to have my less likely to have my

car stolen by some car stolen by some teenage yob!teenage yob!


There appears to be no There appears to be no room for selfless room for selfless

activity (altruism). Any activity (altruism). Any ‘selfless’ act appears to ‘selfless’ act appears to be ultimately down to be ultimately down to

self-interest.self-interest.


Even the apparently Even the apparently selfless act of making selfless act of making a donation to charity a donation to charity

is accompanied by is accompanied by that self-righteous that self-righteous glow of satisfactionglow of satisfaction


Many people believe that Many people believe that Aristotle was a racist, Aristotle was a racist,

sexist bigot. They believe sexist bigot. They believe that his belief that only that his belief that only men could access the men could access the

virtues discredits the whole virtues discredits the whole theory.theory.


Aristotle’s views on women, Aristotle’s views on women, slaves and foreigners can slaves and foreigners can

be understood in the be understood in the context of the times in context of the times in

which he lived. His idea on which he lived. His idea on virtue ethics, when seen in virtue ethics, when seen in this light, can still stand.this light, can still stand.

Modern versions of Virtue Modern versions of Virtue EthicsEthics

ALASDAIR MACINTYREALASDAIR MACINTYRE

““After Virtue”After Virtue”


MacIntyre argued for MacIntyre argued for practical ethics, rooted in practical ethics, rooted in

the real world. He the real world. He claimed that human claimed that human

communities should be at communities should be at the centre of ethical life.the centre of ethical life.


Society’s ideas of Society’s ideas of appropriate behaviour appropriate behaviour

allow ‘good’ to be allow ‘good’ to be realised. realised.


Personal virtuous Personal virtuous behaviour within society’s behaviour within society’s

structures allows structures allows everyone to benefit – the everyone to benefit – the community is the context community is the context

for this moral life.for this moral life.


BUTBUT


Can a virtuous person behave Can a virtuous person behave badly?badly?

Can virtuous intentions lead Can virtuous intentions lead to vicious behaviour? to vicious behaviour?

Are the virtues culturally Are the virtues culturally defined (i.e. subjective) or are defined (i.e. subjective) or are they universal (i.e. absolute)?they universal (i.e. absolute)?


PHILLIPA FOOTPHILLIPA FOOT


Foot uses the concept Foot uses the concept of value:of value:

a wise person places a wise person places appropriate value in appropriate value in

certain goalscertain goals


Some goals are Some goals are ‘good in themselves’, ‘good in themselves’,

while others are while others are ‘good for the sake of ‘good for the sake of

something else.’something else.’


A friendship based on the A friendship based on the premise ‘What’s in this for premise ‘What’s in this for me?’ will be shallow, while me?’ will be shallow, while

the friendship based on the friendship based on trust, loyalty and trust, loyalty and

companionship will be companionship will be fruitful.fruitful.


Foot also notes that Foot also notes that people can learn people can learn

‘virtuous’ ‘virtuous’ behaviour through behaviour through

experienceexperience


She distinguishes between ‘degrees of virtuousness

is a person resisting terrible temptation being more virtuous

than a person who is never tempted, and who never

considers doing anything wrong?


ELIZABETH ELIZABETH ANSCOMBEANSCOMBE


Anscombe notes the Anscombe notes the way that actions have way that actions have become important in become important in judging a person’s judging a person’s moral character.moral character.


This leads to a This leads to a preoccupation with preoccupation with

rules, and attempts to rules, and attempts to read the future to read the future to work out possible work out possible

consequences.consequences.

Here endeth the Here endeth the revision on virtue revision on virtue

ethics.ethics.

Now just pass the exam!

Documents

AS Religious Ethics Virtue Ethics Foundation Paper Revision Part 2