The Revival of Virtue Ethics

V I R T U E E T H I C S

Virtue ethics begun to come back into popularity in 1958, when Elizabeth Anscombe wrote an article arguing that the concept of moral rules and of moral obligation is flawed. She attacked the principles and traditions of Utilitarianism, which both set out principles for people to follow, and principles which look at the morality of different actions, rather than the character of the person.

Anscombe argued that the idea that we have to keep rules makes no sense unless people believe in God. Even if an ethical system is not very religious, the only reason for keeping a moral law is if there is a moral motivator, a judge or law enforcer, to reward or punish people according to their behaviour

Phillipa Foot’s ‘Virtues and Vices’ of 1978 also had a profound influence on the renewal of interest in virtue ethics. Anscombe’s article had concentrated mostly on outlining the failings of other ethical theories, and the need for a new direction, without much detail. Phillipa Foot went further by setting out the reasons for her support of virtue ethics, arguing that although virtue cannot guarantee happiness, it can be an important part of achieving it. She uses example of Thomas Aquinas and Kant to prove it is not a new way of approaching ethics, but part of a tradition with ...

Phillipa Foot’s ‘Virtues and Vices’ of 1978 also had a profound influence on the renewal of interest in virtue ethics. Anscombe’s article had concentrated mostly on outlining the failings of other ethical theories, and the need for a new direction, without much detail. Phillipa Foot went further by setting out the reasons for her support of virtue ethics, arguing that although virtue cannot guarantee happiness, it can be an important part of achieving it. She uses example of Thomas Aquinas and Kant to prove it is not a new way of approaching ethics, but part of a tradition with a long standing amongst respected thinkers.

Alisdair MacIntyre and Richard Taylor are two modern philosophers who continue promoting virtue as a new direction in ethics.

In Alisdair MacIntyre’s book ‘After Virtue: A study in Moral Theory’ he puts forward a strong case for adopting aretaic (virtue) approach to ethics rather than considering the rules and principles by which people should live. He went further than this by saying that moral philosophy, and all of philosophy in general, is far too general and removed from ordinary life. He said that it is not good enough for philosophers to sit and discuss the definition of ethical or philosophical words, or forming reasoned and logical theories, they should see how ethics work in the context of real life, in order to help the real people with real problems cope with the moral problems they face, as individuals and in communities.

However, Richard Taylor in his book ‘Ethics, Faith, and Reason’ he writes that philosophical ethics have been corrupted by religion, he says that the use of reason is essential for ethics but that religion has led people away from reason, by insisting instead on the need for faith and for blind obedience to a ‘divine command’. He supports a move away from concepts of absolute ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. He says if everyone is equal, there is no point in striving to be good as the rewards will be the same in heaven.