VIRTUE ETHIICS

Virtue Ethics as a moral system, places emphasis on developing good habits of character, like kindness and
generosity, and avoiding bad character traits, or vices, such as greed or hatred. Virtue-based theories give
importance to moral education which molds individuals to habitually act in a virtuous manner. Focusing on the
character of the agent, virtue ethics describes right actions as those chosen and performed by a suitably virtuous
person.

Definition of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is a broad term for theories that emphasize the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy
rather than either doing one’s duty or acting in order to bring about good consequences. A virtue ethicist is likely
to give you this kind of moral advice: “Act as a virtuous person would act in your situation.”

Socrates and Plato's Moral Philosophy

Since Plato wrote down and essentially adhered to Socrates' philosophy, it is practical for us to treat
their ethical theories jointly here. In the dialogue "Gorgias" written by Plato, Socrates indicates that pleasure
and pain fail to provide an objective standard for determining moral from immoral since they do not exist apart
from one another, while good and evil do. In Euthypro, Socrates asks Euthypro whether something is good
because the gods love it, or whether the gods love it because it is good. Socrates' point is that what is good has
a certain independence from the whims of the gods' determination of the rightness of our actions and mores.

Central to Plato's Philosophy is his Theory of Forms - The objectively existing immaterial entities that
are the proper object of knowledge. Everything in the material world is what it is by virtue of its resemblance to,
or participation in, this universal form or Idea. For Plato, those who comprehend the Good will always do good
actions. Bad actions are performed out of not knowing the Good. To know the Good, nonetheless, requires an
austere and intellectually meticulous way of life.

Aristotle’s Ethics

- Three general descriptions, which are interrelated, can be used to depict aristotle’s ethics.

1. Self Realizationism

2. Eudaimonistic

3. Aretaic

• Act Oriented Ethics

• Virtue Ethics

- A ‘Telos’ is an end or purpose. Aristotle believes that the essence or essential nature of beings, including
humans, lay not at their cause (or beginning) but at their end (‘telos’)

Happiness And Virtues

Aristotle believes that the ultimate human goal is self-realization. This entails achieving one’s natural purpose by
functioning or living consistently with human nature. Accomplishing it, produces happiness; whereas inability to
realize it leads to sadness, frustration, and ultimately to poor life. It therefore behooves us to act in accordance
with our nature so as to be content and complete.

Aristotle identifies three natures of man: the vegetable or physical, animal or emotional, and rational or mental.
As previously explained, the thing that distinguishes humans from all other creatures is the rational nature or the
ability to reason. Rational development is thus deemed the most important, as it is uniquely human. Accordingly,
living in accordance with reason is viewed as vital in self-realization or developing one’s potential.

Ethics, for Aristotle, is the inquiry into the human good. This is to say that the purpose of studying ethics is to
make ourselves good, though Aristotle assumes that we already want to become good. This human good is
‘eudaimonia’ or happiness.

Aristotle observed that wise persons seek an end that is self-sufficient, final, and attainable over one’s life. This
end is happiness which all human beings want. Aristotle also considers happiness as the summum bonum –
the greatest good of all human life. He adds that it is the only intrinsic good, that is, the good that is pursued for
its own sake. While all other things, such as pleasure, wealth, and honor are merely means to an end, happiness
is man’s ultimate goal as it is an end in itself.

Virtue as Habit

- Aristotle's idea of happiness should also be understood in the sense of human flourishing. This flourishing
is attained by the habitual practice of moral and intellectual excellences or 'virtues’.

- Aristotle said your Character is developed through HABITUATION.

- Moral virtue is an expression of character, formed by habits reflecting repeated choices.

- Moral virtue is the golden mean between the two less desirables extreme.

Phronesis And Practice

Phronesis or Practical wisdom is a grasp of appropriate way to respond, to feel and act in a particular situation.

An Evaluation of The Greek Philosophers' Ethical Theories

- We can say that Socrates and Plato, based on their ethical theory, advocate a positive view of man. Their
Philosophy implies that human beings who behave immorally do so out of ignorance of the Good. And that no
person is willingly bad.

► Concerning this, we can however comment that punishing bad deeds has no place in their theory, since bad
actions are not blameworthy in the strict sense, Perseverance is encouraged in their view as it is held that
knowing the Good-the key not to engage in bad actions- demands an abstinent and intellectually painstaking
way of life.

Being moral, virtuous and just is equated with being knowledgeable of the Good, as it is claimed that those who
know the right will act rightly, in addition, morality is essentially linked to happiness.

“Why I should be moral?”

► The just person is said to be the truly happy one - far happier than the wicked, whatever material advantages
the unjust person enjoys, and no matter difficulties or poor status the moral person suffers. This ethnical theory
inspires people to be moral as it teaches that morality is a recipe for real happiness.

► Against Plato’s Form, the usual comment is that there could be no such thing, and that even if there were, It
would be of no help in ethical inquiry into the good for human beings.

► Aristotle considers virtue not as innate or something taught by a teacher to a student, but that which is acquired
by practice and lost by disuse.

►Aristotle’s ethics therefore can be deemed better for it distinguishes “doing right” from “knowing right”.

► Aristotle could also better explain accountability and responsibility. He believes that when we do something
we know to be wrong, we are held responsible for our actions. Mistakes are anticipated in Aristotle’s view and
acknowledged as learning opportunities.

► Aristotle’s doctrine of practical wisdom in determining what is good for someone in a particular instance opens
the door to bias, prejudice, and subjectivism

Being virtuous for Aristotle denotes doing what is right, to the right person, at the right moment, in the appropriate
amount, in the correct manner, for the right reason.

Thomas Aquinas' Ethics

5 Aquinas' Laws

Eternal Law - Rational plan of God by which all creation is ordered

► Human Law - The aspect of the Eternal law which is accessible to human reason

► Natural Law - Refers to positive laws, more exact and forceful provisions.
► Divine Law - Serves to complement the other types of law.

► Natural inclinations - (1) To survive (2) To reproduce and educate offspring (3) To love

► 3 Aspects

1. Species - What kind of an action it is. There ar 3 types. Good, Bad and Indifferent Neutral.

2. Accidents - Simply refers to the circumstances surrounding the action.

3. End - Stands for the agent’s intention.

► Aquinas ethical theory states that for an action to be moral, the kinds it must belong to must not be bad, the
circumstances must be appropriate, and the intention must be virtuous.

Happiness, Moral Virtues and Theological Virtues

► A habit is a "hard to eradicate" quality

2 types of Habits

1. Acquired - The autonomous will of the person plays a huge role in acquired habits.

2. Infused- Directly instilled by God in our faculties.

► 2 Types of Infused Virtues

1. Moral- Activities that are less virtuous and inferior to the final end.

To this kind belongs Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance and Justice

1. Theological- Are concerned directly with God.

The virtues of Faith, Hope and Love serve to attune us to our final end.

AN ANALYSIS OF THOMISTIC ETHICS

• Thomas Aquinas is a REALIST (Realism)