Stage 3- Interpersonal accord and conformity Virtue Ethics: Intention to help Man is a rational animal. Isn’t the Principle of the Golden Mean absolute? deficiency Temperance Aristotle insisted rather that what is needed to achieve virtue is a proper appreciation of the way in which individual goods (e.g. Temperance (according to Aristotle’s more specific definition) concerns moderation in matters of food and sex. Morality is more about the manner in which one arrives at a decision. For Aristotle, a virtue is a type of trait, but the idea of virtue only makes sense within a social context. Aristotle discusses different forms of reasoning in his philosophical works, so it is difficult to provide one simple definition of reason that covers them all. Happiness results when one completes or serves one’s function in society, and to fulfill one’s function is to express virtue. Aristotle’s system describes the nature of the process through which one arrives at the aim, or telos, but glosses over the nature of the thing aimed at (namely: the good, virtue, happiness). Like most ethical dilemmas, there are alternate views to this question. Virtue Ethics (or Virtue Theory) is an approach to Ethics that emphasizes an individual's character as the key element of ethical thinking, rather than rules about the acts themselves or their consequences (Consequentialism).. The goal of ethics is to explain how one achieves the good life for human beings. What is virtue? The Fallacy of the Mean 333) Do you agree with Aristotle in this assertion? Individual Ethical Responsibility – defined in terms of each individual’s “nature”; determined by the following three elements: So his method here consists in describing virtuous actions and looking for a pattern. Virtue and Happiness The Greek word Eudaimonia is typically translated as “happiness”, but it is often argued that “human flourishing” is more accurate and appropriate. Is happiness the ultimate goal or highest aim of human activity? To be reasonable is to avoid extreme behavior (hence Aristotle’s anti-revolutionary attitude in his political works). All Rights Reserved. Specific actions differ and so do their meanings. Ethical systems can generally be broken down into three categories: deontological, teleological and virtue-based ethics. But what about his Principle of the Golden Mean? Virtue Ethics Theory Analysis 904 Words | 4 Pages. Which of the two extremes is “closer to” (more similar to) the mean? Teleological, Deontological and Virtue Ethics Theories Reconciled in the Context of Traditional Economic Decision Making Ilona Baumane-Vitolinaa*, Igo Calsa, Erika Sumiloa aUniversity of Latvia, Department of Economics and Business Administration, Riga, Latvia Abstract This article examines the most prominent ethical theories from the view point of economic rationality. Like much of the Western tradition, virtue theory seems to have originated in ancient Greek philosophy. We are aiming for moderation (the “Golden Mean”) in our ethical acts, but we often “miss the mark.” Again, like becoming a good archer, virtue is something that develops over time as a result of experience, judgment, and practice. One’s uniqueness is an expression of how one functions in the scheme of things. Uniqueness, Function, Happiness: Part of Man’s Nature Is Teleology Ethics? There are similarities and differences in deontological and teleological ethical systems. On a basic level, moderation seems socially desirable, and the whole reason for morality (according to Aristotle) is to promote a better society. Happiness and morality are different sides of the same coin. When Aristotle is discussing reason in a social/ethical/political context, he seems to equate it with moderation. Zaid It is against the law for Heinz to steal. moderation moderation Morality of an act is based on the outcome or consequence of the act 336) Do you agree with Aristotle about happiness? It is something that must be performed, not simply suffered or experienced. Stage 6 : Function – given this uniqueness, what is this individual naturally “fitted for”? In this case, it would seem that the excessive extreme is closer to the mean than the deficient extreme. To make the correct moral choices, we have to understand what our moral duties are and what correct rules exist to regulate those duties. The Greek word hamartia is a term used by Aristotle that is often translated as sin, but which literally means a “missing of the mark.” It describes a failure of competency and is often used in reference to archery. Post-Conventional Universal ethical principles Deontological ethics: Based on duties. Eudaimonism is the classical formulation of Virtue Ethics. deficiency excess Eudaimonia Social View – the underlying metaphysical order is articulated in human society. You wouldn’t expect the same accuracy from an ethical science as you would from (say) a mathematical science. Reason, claims Aristotle, is a characteristic which is unique to humans and a part of our nature. This understanding cannot be acquired by learning and following general abstract rules (much like a child might learn his/her multiplication tables). Which of the two extremes is “closer to” the mean of bravery? A cowardly act is one in which the person acting lacks bravery (they are “deficient”). When asked if this case could be ethically justified, Biology pre-dental student Ben Branson said, “ Yes, I believe, Ethics of duty (ethics of principle, deontological ethics) Hamartia: “…to miss the mark…” If we focus on sex, we can consider temperance as a mean between prudishness and promiscuity: friendship, pleasure, virtue, etc.) Really? Happiness, he argues, is the one thing “we always choose for itself and never for the sake of something else…but we choose [other things] also for the sake of happiness, judging that through them we will be happy.” (pg. Different Virtues for Different Occasions Varieties of ancient Greek virtue ethics – Aristotle Ethics is an Example It is sometimes described as duty, obligatory or rule based ethics, human he should try to save the life of another one. What function might they perform? Atif No, it is definitely wrong to steal but it’s not always morally wrong. Obviously, not everyone can achieve virtue and act moderately, so what is the next best thing? With numerous religions world-wide the application of teleological theories are virtually impossible to use in a broad sense. These emotional, deliberative, and social skills cannot be acquired by mere reflection, Aristotle argued, but must be developed over time through practice and proper upbringing. Why won’t any other telos do? Typically in any deontological system, our duties, rules, and obligations are determined by God. We will return to happiness later, as Aristotle has his own peculiar understanding of what it means to be happy in this ethical sense.