Virtue+ethics

=Virtue Ethics=

[|Virtue ethics] emphasizes the importance of virtues, or moral character in ethical decision-making. This framework advocates for morality based on excellence as opposed to duty or utility. This theory has deep roots in ancient philosophy, particularly in the work of [|Plato] and his student, [|Aristotle]. While many foundational ethical theories attempt to prescribe definite solutions to ethical dilemmas, virtue ethics advocates that the answers to ethical decisions can only be found through contemplation of the fundamental question: “what kind of person should I be?”

Aristotelian Foundations
Greek philosopher, Aristotle, is remembered for numerous academic and philosophical achievements, including his ethical theory of virtue, which is foundational to contemporary ethical theory. In his influential work, [|Nicomachean Ethics], Aristotle constructed a framework for ethics that depended entirely on moral character, rather than one reliant on conceptions of duty and [|utilitarianism].

While virtues are integral to Aristotle’s ethics, ethical behaviour is not just about virtuous actions; it is about the virtuous character of a person. The presence of virtues // within // an individual is of fundamental importance. For example, if someone is in need of assistance, an individual should demonstrate the virtue of charity, not because it is socially desirable, but because it would be at odds with one’s character to do otherwise. Aside from virtue itself, Aristotle outlines two additional concepts that are central to a person's virtuous character: practical wisdom and "eudaimonia." For Aristotle, virtues are not entirely impulsive or innate. While we are born with a natural inclination to be virtuous, our character is actually fully developed and perfected by “pronesis” or practical wisdom.


 * The word “eudaimonia” translates to mean “happiness” or “flourishing”. This concept does not refer to the subjective emotion of happiness, rather it outlines a state of existence that an individual can achieve through a virtuous life. Essentially, a virtuous life is that which allows individuals to achieve “eudaimonia” and virtues are implied as constitutive elements of this “flourishing."

** Aristotle was very much a pioneer of virtue ethics. Remnants of Aristotle’s work can be found in the work of early ethical theorists such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and David Hume. However, as the pervasiveness of [|deontological] and utilitarian ethical theories increased, theoretical frameworks that actually aimed to prescribe solutions to moral dilemmas largely overshadowed virtue ethics.

Contemporary Virtue Ethics
The 1950's marked the beginning of a reemergence of virtue ethics as many contemporary theorists began to draw on Aristotle's foundational work to create ethical constructs that contained remnants of his ancient theoretical framework.

In 1958, British philosopher, [|Gertrude Anscombe], published “Modern Moral Philosophy”, a work that would advocate for the revival of virtue ethics. Anscombe presented virtue ethics as a viable alternative to utilitarian, deontological and [|social contract] theories. Anscombe viewed frameworks that prescribe definite solutions to moral dilemmas as problematic, and she emphasized the need for an alternative that was based in “moral virtue [and] facts of human nature”.

Similarly, British philosopher, [|Philippa Foot], advocated for the validity of virtue ethics in her 1978 paper “Virtues and Vices.” She espoused a view of ethics that was built firmly on the Aristotelian foundation of virtue. In her conception of virtue ethics, Foot acknowledged the importance of virtue and wisdom in ethical decision-making. She echoes Aristotle in her assertion that an ethical person “does not merely know // how // to do good things…but also wants to do them”. Foot conceives virtue as fundamental to contemporary ethical theory as we begin to realize the importance of human nature and individuality in the decision-making process. She acknowledges that, given the same situation, various individuals will make remarkably different ethical decisions and these decisions are ultimately based on the virtues, vices and wisdom that they possess.

This emergence of virtue ethics in the 20th century continued with the work of Scottish philosopher, [|Alasdair MacIntyre]. He also expressed criticism of contemporary ethics and advocated that virtue should be central to the study of ethics. In outlining the shortcomings of modern ethical theory, MacIntyre points out that with various conflicting frameworks in place, society is very much divided and issues are consequently difficult to solve in practical situations. He asserts that people are neglecting the crucial concepts of character and virtue in their consideration of what constitutes ethical behaviour, and that a focus on “cultivating excellence” and “living the good life” is a viable way to improve contemporary ethical theory.