VIRTUE

ETHICS
Report from Group 1
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WHAT IS VIRTUE ETHICS?
In its simplest, Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by
Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the quest to understand
and live a life of moral character.

Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in

normative ethics, as it is often contrasted to deontological and
consequentialist moral theories.

Introduction
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Deontological ethics determines the morality of an act based on
whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules
and principles. (rules-based)

Consequentialism determines the morality of an act according to its

consequences or results, rather than the predisposition of the agent
or the intrinsic value of the act. (consequences-based)

What distinguishes virtue ethics from consequentialism or

deontology is the centrality of virtue within the theory.
Virtues and vices will be foundational for virtue ethical theories
and other normative notions will be grounded in them.

What is Virtue Ethics?

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Virtue ethics has a long history, with
roots in ancient Greek philosophy,
particularly the work of Aristotle. It
has seen renewed interest in recent
years as an alternative to more rule-
based or outcome-based ethical
frameworks, starting from Gertrude
Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe’s
article entitled “Modern Moral
Philosophy”. Aristotle (Left) and Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe (Right)

Proponents of Virtue Ethics

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THE GOOD LIFE AND REAL HAPPINESS
Aristotle believed that happiness from pleasure is not
long-lasting.
For example, happiness based on material things is not sustainable because they are not
Key Points

permanent. There may come a time when these things are scarce, and we may not have the
means to acquire them.

Similarly, happiness achieved through honor depends

on the praises and admiration bestowed upon us by
others.
As long as people are satisfied by our services, they will continue to give us honor.
However, once our services no longer meet their expectations, or we cannot provide what
they demand, they may stop giving us accolades and may even resort to blaming us.
The Good Life and Real Happiness
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According to Aristotle, what gives man true happiness is

that which befits human nature. For man to live the
good life, he must function well as a human being. If
reason is man's distinguishing characteristic that
separates him from plants and animals, then he must
develop and cultivate it in order to be happy.
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A human person is able to discern his purpose in life

The Good Life and Real Happiness

through an understanding of his nature. At the same

time, living the good life is the attainment of his
purpose. He can only achieve it by living well, that is to
say, acquiring and possessing good qualities and
excellences that enable him to function well. Hence, a
good human being is functioning well.
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Eudaimonia
The Good Life and Real Happiness

Eudaimonia consists of exercising the

characteristic human quality, reason, as the
soul's most proper and nourishing activity.

It describes that state achieved by the person

who lives the proper human life, an outcome
that can be reached by practicing the virtues.
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VIRTUE AS GOAL
Aristotle's theory of human nature serves as the basis
for the good life. According to him, human beings by
nature seek the good. The good is the aim of every
Key Points

human endeavor.

The good is sought for two reasons. The first kind is

sought as a means to achieve something else, while the
second is desired for its own sake.
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Good as a Means
Many things we consider good are valuable
because they help us achieve something else.
By being useful, it is good.
Virtue as Goal

Studying, for instance, is a good means to gain knowledge. We wouldn't

study for its own sake, but because of the knowledge it brings.

This type of good has limitations. Its value

depends on the end it serves.
Studying is good because it leads to knowledge, but knowledge itself
might be desired for a further purpose, like getting a good job.
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Supreme Good
This good is desired for its own sake, with
nothing beyond it to be pursued. According to
Virtue as Goal

Aristotle, this "supreme good" is happiness.

For Aristotle, the good life is one in which we fulfill our

potential as human beings. Happiness is essential to
this process; without it, people cannot reach their full
potential.
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Moreover, man does not live alone. As Aristotle states,

“Only a beast or a god can live in complete isolation
Virtue as Goal

from others.” He lives with others in the community,

meaning he is not self-sufficient, and he can only
pursue the good life in cooperation with his fellow men.
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Aristotle writes, "For even if the good of the community
coincides with that the individual, it is clearly a greater
and more perfect thing to achieve that of the
community; for while it is desirable to secure what is
Virtue as Goal

good in the case of an individual, do so in the case of a

people or a state is something finer and more sublime."

This explains why men are encouraged to actively

participate in the life and activities of the community.
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INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL VALUES
Developing one's abilities is connected with the good
life. It calls for self-knowledge. By examining his nature,
man discovers his abilities. These activities originate in
Key Points

the soul.

Soul
Aristotle defines the soul as the principle of
life, allowing humans to engage in activities
such as eating, sleeping, playing, and studying.
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The soul is divided into two parts: the rational and the
irrational.
Intellectual and Moral Values

The rational part is

composed of the speculative The irrational part is
intellect (used to understand composed of the desiderative
principles and facts) and the part (responsible for desires
practical intellect (used to and wants) and the appetitive
apply those principles and part (responsible for drives,
facts in decision-making and instincts, and needs).
problem-solving).
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Aristotle thinks that cultivating the rational and
irrational parts leads a person to acquire intellectual
Intellectual and Moral Values

and moral virtues. Intellectual virtues are cultivated and

acquired through education while moral virtues
through habit and training.

Virtues are dispositions that develop a man's character

and attitude. They are traits that make man into a fully
developed person thereby making him attain the good
life.
Intellectual and Moral Values
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One can only acquire the intellectual and moral virtues

through education and practice respectively since they
are not acquired immediately. If a person is able to
cultivate those virtues, then he functions well as a
human being. Only then can he live the good life.
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Phronesis
Intellectual and Moral Values

Phronesis is the ability to discern the right

course of action in a particular situation, taking
into account the context, emotions involved,
and potential consequences. It's not about
following rigid rules, but about making wise
judgments based on your character and
understanding of the situation.
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Phronesis is concerned with particulars, because it is

concerned with how to act in particular situations. One
Intellectual and Moral Values

can learn the principles of action, but applying them in

the real world, in situations one could not have
foreseen, requires experience of the world.

One such application of this is cultivating genuine

friendships.
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Aristotle defines real friendship as being rooted in
goodness and the promotion of the friend's well-
being for their own sake.
Intellectual and Moral Values

A true friend loves the other person for who they are, not for any superficial qualities.

In contrast, friendships based on utility or pleasure

involve loving a friend for their usefulness or
pleasantness, rather than for their intrinsic qualities.
Such friendships are short-lived as they only last as long as the friend remains useful or
pleasant to the individual.

Only genuine, goodness-based friendships endure

and thrive over time.
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GOLDEN MEAN
Golden Mean
Every ethical virtue is a condition intermediate
(a “golden mean”) between two other states,
Key Points

one involving excess, and the other deficiency.

For instance, courage is a moral virtue; its deficiency is cowardice,

and its excess is rashness. Another moral virtue is modesty; its
deficiency is shyness, and its excess is shamelessness.
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According to Aristotle, man should have these feelings

"at the right times on the right grounds towards the
Golden Mean

right people for the right motive and in the right way."
Thus, moral virtues refer to dispositions involving right
emotions, right motives, right reasons, right relations,
and right actions.
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THESIS STATEMENT
A virtue ethicist identifies virtues, desirable characteristics,
that an excellent person embodies. Exhibiting these virtues is
the aim of ethics, and one's actions are a reflection of one's
virtues.

This character-based approach to morality assumes that we

acquire virtue through practice. By practicing being honest,
brave, just, generous, and so on, a person develops an honorable
and moral character. By honing virtuous habits, people will
likely make the right choice when faced with ethical challenges.
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ARGUMENTS FOR THE THEORY
Makes better People
Virtues such as generosity, honesty, compassion, friendliness,
Supporting Arguments

assertiveness and the like are already present in people and

should be practiced in everyday living. The theory of Virtue Ethics
makes it possible for people to be better individuals and
members of society who are willing to help other people,
thinking of others first over personal interest. With these
virtues, people become better persons.
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Flexibility
Supporting Arguments

Virtue ethics allows for flexibility in decision-making, as

individuals can decide what is virtuous based on their own moral
values and the circumstances of the situation. This makes it more
adaptable to different contexts and less rigid than other ethical
theories.
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Broadness
Having no particular criteria, Virtue Ethics encompasses
different virtues which are important to live in harmony with
Supporting Arguments

other people. It also does not attempt to worsen the complexity

of things by categorizing what are moral acts or not but instead
had developed throughout the years. Also, as compared to other
ethical theories which can be a threat to morality and are
confusing, Virtue Ethics is a holistic approach that it considers
the totality of a person, including the skills, character traits and
emotions.
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Sense of Community
Supporting Arguments

Virtue ethics motivates individuals to have high regard for

personal relationships, encouraging them to be more
considerate and caring towards others. This can lead to a better
society, as people are more likely to act in the interests of others
rather than just their own.
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Focus on the Individual

Supporting Arguments

Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of the individual and

their personal development, which can lead to better individuals
and members of society. It encourages people to think of others
first over their own interests, making them more considerate
and compassionate.
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Preserves Good
Supporting Arguments

Virtue ethics serves as a shield against negative influences, such

as power and luxury, which can corrupt individuals and impede
their ability to live a good life. It helps individuals preserve and
enhance the goodness they already have, rather than being
swayed by external factors.
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Leads to Happiness
Supporting Arguments

Through upholding the virtues obtained from education and

experience, one is able to do good.By doing the self-established
good, individuals can lead to happiness, which is considered
man's ultimate purpose in life as stated by Aristotle. “happiness
is the highest of all the goods achievable in action”
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OBJECTIONS ABOUT THE THEORY
Lack of Action Guiding
Virtue Ethics lacks clear rules for guiding actions, focusing
Counterarguments

instead on being a virtuous person, which can be vague given the

multitude of virtues. It becomes challenging to determine how a
'good' person would act in situations where conflicting virtues
are present. The theory's emphasis on developing virtues and
moral judgment is seen as a way to learn from observing truly
virtuous individuals, but it raises questions about defining
virtuous behavior.
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Cultural Relativism
Counterarguments

Virtue Ethics highlights culturally-specific virtues, leading to

doubts about the existence of universal moral truths. Different
cultures have varying beliefs, causing what is virtuous in one
culture to differ from another. The objectivity of virtues is
questioned when they are relative to cultural norms.
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Self-Centeredness
Virtue Ethics often prioritizes personal flourishing and virtue
Counterarguments

development over considering the impact on others. While

morality should benefit everyone, not all virtues are self-serving,
with some requiring sacrifices for the greater good. The focus is
on developing virtues that serve others appropriately, raising
concerns about genuine altruism versus self-satisfaction.
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Moral Luck
External factors like environment and upbringing influence the
development of virtues, leading to questions about the fairness
of praising or condemning individuals based on factors beyond
Counterarguments

their control.

However, Virtue Ethics acknowledges moral luck as a challenge

that individuals must overcome to truly embody goodness. The
fragility and value of a good life are emphasized, highlighting
the importance of navigating moral luck to achieve genuine
virtue.
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Although he doesn’t explicitly mention the

theory, his ethics theory, Deontology
clashes with the Virtue Ethics as it focuses
on following a universal moral law unlike the
latter which prioritizes on being a good
person. He believes that acting out of duty
comes first before virtues or feelings.
Immanuel Kant

Proponents against Virtue Ethics

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He criticized the theory for mostly relying
on a single principle or set of virtues as he
believed that virtues are more complex.
There is the problem of cultural relativism as
well. With how different cultures are to each
other, the definition of virtuous varies. This
can affect in determining what is the right
virtue across cultures? He also criticized that
focusing solely on virtue might neglect
other important aspects of moral reasoning
Robert Louden
such as the consequences of our actions.

Proponents against Virtue Ethics

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Virtue Ethics provides a unique approach to morality, focusing on character

development and practical judgment over strict rules or outcomes. It
emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life as a means of realizing
one's full potential and achieving eudaimonia, a state of human flourishing.

Virtue ethics proposes that cultivating a virtuous character, embodying

traits like courage and compassion, is the foundation for making sound
moral decisions.

Conclusion
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By emphasizing phronesis, or practical wisdom, virtue ethics equips

individuals to navigate complex situations and choose the right course of
action based on context and moral character.

Virtue Ethics encourages a balanced approach to morality, where virtues

reside in the "golden mean" between extremes, leading to a flourishing
human life.

Conclusion
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Virtue ethics at its core focuses on the development of virtuous character

attributes as a path of fulfillment. In addition to being a theoretical
undertaking, the pursuit of virtue is a practical, lifetime commitment to
one's own development. By fostering these virtues, people are more likely
to be better-equipped to navigate life’s complexities and challenges.

Own Take
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Although virtue ethics has many compelling insights, it is not without any
flaws against the theory. With concerns and arguments regarding the lack
of clear action-guiding rules, and potential self-centeredness highlight
areas where virtue ethics may fall short or require further refinement.
However, these can also be debated for opportunities to discourse, reflect,
and continue the development of the theory.

Own Take
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Virtue ethics can help us make our own decision with use of our own moral
compass. With this kind of ethic, it help us lived our life with the
characteristic/belief that we chose to be.

Virtue ethics for me is essential for the growth of us humans, and to achieve
a good life, it can help us become discipline and committed to our principle
in life

Own Take
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Knowing this type of ethics can help us find the purpose of our existence in
this life, without thinking about the consequences alone or for the greater
good of your decision making

Own Take
 THANK YOU!
GE-ETHICS ETHICS
GROUP 12 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Group 1
Cabigon, Timothy Chad
Dotillos, Jeff Thomas
Linga, Jevana Cielo
Maravillas, Ma. Jullianna
Sarcol, Joshua
Tizon, Jhon Fil
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