Explain Virtue ethics. Virtue ethics is of little practical use to someone with a moral problem?

The main component of virtue ethics is Aristotle's assumption that everyone wants a full and happy life. This associates itself with eudaimonia, which is deserving to be happy. Eudaimonia means more than just happiness it is about being worthy of the joy that you as a person are receiving. For Aristotle Eudaimonia is the highest good because it is desired for its own sake, rather than ulterior motives. It is not about society been forced to have righteous motives; instead it is about society wanting to gain the highest level. According to Aristotle there are three types of happiness. The fist is happiness as a philosopher, which is basically freedom of the mind. The second is happiness as a free member of society, which is the contentment of being accepted into your society. The last of which is happiness as a life of enjoyment and pleasure this is simply the freedom of being you.

Aristotle also talked about the "The Golden Mean" which creating balance through out extremes. The extremes he called vices and the golden mean was called a virtue. For example a virtue would be patience and its two vices would be apathy and impatience. The key to this is being able to find a balance between the two so you are able to create the perfect or golden eudaimonia. Aristotle believed that should develop the virtues that will result in living in moderation on line with the Golden mean. This leads to the virtuous action. We learn our virtues from example. From people following the Golden mean and finding the Virtuous way to live. He also described people becoming good and bad. That they do not learn how to be it, instead it is acquired rather than innate After Aristotle era there was a decline in the number of people following virtue ethics. But in the 20th century there was a revival of the virtue ethics.

Elizabeth Anscombe revived virtue ethics. She however felt that you needed a law enforcer with a possibility of a reward or judgement, to make sure that the ethical laws are enforced. Philppa Foot questioned who was more virtuous someone who has to struggle with his or her virtues, or someone who is by nature more virtuous. She also argues that you need to distinguish between virtues and skills. Alistair MacIntyre uses Aristotle's ideas of ethics. He also takes a historical view of ethics. He advocates the absolute relevance of human character over abstract principles.

To conclude the virtue theory encompasses all aspects of life rather than particular action. But the theory also relies on people to have the virtues such as thoughtfulness and kindness in order to follow it. Therefore I believe in a perfect world virtue ethics would work but unfortunately we don't live in one, and only a minority of people will have the virtues already needed in order to follow the theory.

Part two

Virtue ethics describes in detail how a person should react with a moral decision but does not actually describe what the person should do in the situation. Robert Laden says that Virtue ethics is of little practical help for a person with a moral decision. He says we should do what the virtuous man would do, but how do we predict what this hypercritical moral person would do in our shoes. There are also conflicts of what you should do, what virtue should you constantly follow. For example your best friend steals a frying a pan to give to a homeless family of six, should you be compassionate, loyal, honest or pragmatic. Virtue ethics cannot be separated from principles and rules as a different system. We only know honesty is a virtue because we see the principle that says we have a duty to tell the truth. Without rules and principle we cannot recognize whether to admire a characteristic as a virtue. In some eyes virtue ethics can be seen as self centred for example always pitting your own needs first. Also the golden mean does not work all the time for all virtues. Some virtues are not midway between two evils but are inherently good. How is an ordinary person to know where loyalty lies in the golden mean if there is no one there to tell them?

However virtue ethics also could help someone making a moral decision. The system is easy to understand and is able to apply to anyone. Virtue ethics is based on the welfare of the entire community, so it means that everyone lives together in harmony. The theory is not idealistic or unrealistic because it looks to real people who were virtuous. Virtue ethics can fit well with a variety of philosophies. For example a humanist view, which holds that there is no god but that humanity hold the key to success. Also if someone did have a moral problem they would deal with the situation in most loving way possible which would mean that everyone involved would be able to experience the benefits of the person ambition to be kind.

To conclude I believe that in Virtue ethics is too idealistic in hoping for everyone to seek happiness for themselves and others. Also it is too vague for everyone to follow, which could lead to misunderstandings.

Mark Strachan 12.6