Virtue theory

Lesson designed for A-Level RS (EDUQAS)
Component 3 - Ethics

1. Theme 1 – B – Virtue Ethics By the end of today’s lesson you will have learnt: The basics of Virtue Ethics Considered how the approach is different to Divine Command Theory The Doctrine of the Golden Mean

2. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

3. Starter: Think-Pair-Share What admirable qualities do these people have? What to you think Virtue Theory might be about?

4. Virtue Ethics Context 4 th Century B.C Inequality – i.e. Noblemen and slaves was the norm Philosophers at the time didn’t particularly see this as a problem

5. What is Virtue Ethics? Using pages 118&119 of the EDUQAS textbook complete the six monkeys task

6. Questions 1. Who devised Virtue Ethics? 2. Does Virtue Ethics focus on the agent being a good person or doing good acts? 3. What did Aristotle think all humans have? 4. What is meant by habit? 5. Which four virtues did Aristotle say lead to a good life? 6. How does virtue ethics benefit society as well as individuals? 7. What is the Golden Mean? 8. What will people’s actions ultimately be motivated by? TASK: Write these into full sentences using the textbook to help you

7. Aretaic Another word for Virtue Theory developed from the Greek for ‘excellence’ or ‘virtue’.

8. Agent-centred Ethical approach focused on the development of the person rather than on the morality of what they do.

9. Nicomachean Book containing Aristotle’s lectures on ethics.

10. Telos Greek word for purpose/ goal.

11. Eudaimonia Happiness; good living.

12. Virtuous Eudaimonia is achieved by being this.

13. Practice How virtues are developed.

14. Quote to learn “We are what we repeatedly do. Greatness then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

15. Virtue Theory Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral Everyone has a purpose, a telos Pursuing Eudemonia is of intrinsic value, for you and society = integration Eudemonia = the good life Moral living = developing characteristics best suited to produce a virtuous human being.

16. Virtue Theory The focus of a person’s character rather than their specific actions Places it’s emphasis on ‘practise’ and ‘ habit ’ as opposed to laws written in human nature or universal norm Focuses on the agent and not the act Focuses on how we are good people Appreciates the room for cultural relativity Aims to help humans and societies reach eudemonia

17. Aristotle’s Moral Virtues The Golden Mean Aristotle designed the doctrine of the mean to distinguish what actions are virtuous and what actions are not. It helps us to become better people. The vice of deficiency = Not doing things enough. Personality traits which are not virtuous The vice of excess = doing things too much. Personality traits which are not virtuous. The Virtuous mean = a middle between excess and deficiency.

18. Complete the table DEFICIENCY – BAD TRAITS MEAN – GOOD TRAITS EXCESS - BAD TRAITS Cowardice Rashness/Foolhardiness Shyness Modesty Deceitful Honest Compassionate Sensitive Intolerant Passive

19. The Golden Mean - Example Malala Yousafzai showed the virtue of courage. CNN clip He named me Malala - Trailer

20. Write up Ethical System based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral. Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words: Relative Morality Goodness Telos

21. Write up The focus on a person’s character rather than specific actions Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words: Agent Actions Habits Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence Role model

22. Write up Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean ) Write a paragraph on the above point using the following words: The Golden Mean Deficiency Excess Mean Examples

23. Virtue Theory – Jesus and the Beatitudes By the end of this lesson you will have: Seen how Jesus can be seen as a role model for virtue for some Understood how virtue ethics can be both secular and religious Applied the beatitudes to ethical situations

24. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

25. Cultural Relativism Agent Centred Eudemonia Recap starter- pick at least 4 words from the selection below & explain them! Blue = 1 point each Red = 2 points each Black = 3 points each Aristotle Golden Mean Vice of Excess Vice of Deficiency Cardinal Virtues Role Models

26. The Beatitudes Watch this short clip on the beatitudes. How can the beatitudes be linked to virtue theory?

27. The Beatitudes Individually write down your own reflection to these questions: How do the beatitudes link into the basic theory of virtue ethics? What does Jesus envisage as someone living ‘the good life’? What are the distinct difference between Jesus' and Aristotle’s understanding of virtues and eudemonia?

28. The beatitudes link to virtue theory because they are an example of Jesus telling Christians what characteristics to develop They are not specific actions but instead characteristics Jesus stressed that following these characteristics will lead to happiness The Beatitudes

29. The Beatitudes as Virtue

30. The Beatitudes as Virtue

31. Stay Standing If… 1. You can tell me what the four cardinal virtues are 2. You can tell me what it means to be agent focussed as opposed to act focussed 3. You can tell me how habit and practise is central to virtue ethics 4. You can explain Eudemonia 5. You can name two of the beatitudes 6. You can explain how Jesus links to virtue ethics 7. You feel confident with what you have learnt in virtue ethics so far

32. Spec Check Virtue Theory Challenges Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtue (based on deficiency, the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on the beatitudes Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour, issues of cultural relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral acts Whether being a good person is better than doing good deeds Whether virtue theory is useful when faced with a moral dilemma

33. Write Up Jesus’ teachings on the virtues Write a paragraph on this point using the following words Sermon on the mount The beatitudes How these are agent focused An example Eudemonia as heaven

34. Challenges 1. Virtues are not a practical guide for moral behaviour 2. Issues of cultural relativism 3. Virtues can be used for immoral acts TASK: Use page 124 of the textbook to help you explain what the following titles mean

35. Virtues are not a practical guide for moral behaviour Because virtue theory is agent centred, it doesn’t give direct instructions of what to do / not do. This means it is actually quite vague with not a lot of actual moral/practical guidance EG if you found yourself in an ethical dilemma such as whether or not to have an abortion, it’s hard to find the answer clearly in virtue theory

36. Cultural Relativism Because virtue ethics changes depending on the virtues of that particular culture, this can pose challenges It’s hard therefore to know what is actually right or wrong There are too many ideas of ‘virtues’ and these can clash EG women are seen as equal to men in some countries but not in others – who is right?

37. Virtues can be used for immoral acts Because virtues are ‘disconnected’ from an action they can lead to bad acts EG is a kamikaze pilot ‘courageous’ or just committing a bad act?

38. Write Up Explain how virtues can not be a practical guide for moral behaviour Explain why cultural relativism poses a problem for virtue ethics Explain how virtue ethics can be used to justify bad acts

39. One way challenge against V.T is that it is not a guide for practical behaviour. This is a challenge because often in ethical dilemmas we like to have a practical guide that tells us exactly what to do. Because V.T focusses on the agent and not the act, it can be quite a vague theory to apply to real life situations. This is a problem because it means it is difficult to apply. For example, if a 17year old was considering whether or not to have an abortion, it is difficult to look to ‘the golden mean’ for a practical answer. It could be considered courageous to both keep and abort the baby. This is therefore one problem with V.T.

40. Challenges against Virtue Ethics By the end of this lesson you will: Have considered the challenges against virtue ethics Evaluated whether or not you think virtue ethics is a practical guide to moral behaviour Understood the problems of cultural relativism

41. A02 – Evaluation Being a good person IS better than doing good deeds Being a good person ISN’T better than doing good deeds Good acts will follow being a good person – it’s win win However, good acts can be done by bad people or with bad intentions. The impact of these acts is still good Good character can be developed which is better – it allows room for growth However, good deeds can also develop good character and help people more. What’s the point of good character if not put into practise? Being a good person is selfless - we know it always has good intentions. However, good deeds always benefit other people anyway – does it matter if it’s a bad intention?