Phyllis Young: Module 5 Assignment
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phi_107_module_5_overview.rtfModule 5 Overview
Virtue Ethics
Welcome to Module Five. A lot of consideration so far has been given to the ethical nature of actions, but what about the nature of the actors? Whether in themselves or by what consequences they bring, actions have been the focus of the ethical theories covered thus far. However, an ethical approach that has its beginnings in ancient Greece chooses instead to focus on those committing such actions, stating that it is intention that are important for ethics, not action. This module examines the virtue theory of ethics and ethical reasoning.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:
6E
discuss the distinctive focus of the virtue theory of ethics.
6F
analyze the benefits and criticisms of the virtue theory.
7C
explain the usefulness of the virtue theory in medical practice.
Module 5 Reading Assignment
Waller, B. N. (2011). Consider ethics: Theory, readings, and contemporary issues (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson. Chapter 8.
Supplemental Reading Assignments (Required):
Gardiner, P. (2003, October). A virtue ethics approach to moral dilemmas in medicine. Journal of Medical Ethics, 29(5), 297-302.
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Virtue Ethics
Distinctive Focus of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics takes a different approach to ethical considerations. Rather than focusing on judging an action right or wrong based on its inherent nature or the consequences it produces, virtue ethicists believe an act must be considered in light of its intended consequences. Why was the act performed in the first place? Was the doer trying to do something good, i.e. something virtuous? According to this outlook, ethics needs to consider the character of a person, not what acts are right or wrong. The ideal good is a virtuous person who does not just do the right thing, but does the right thing for the right reason. A virtuous person is one who consistently acts with good intentions.
The Strengths of Virtue Ethics
The strongest aspect of virtue ethics is the connection that it makes between action and character. Rather than seeing a person as being good in some situations and bad in others, virtue ethics views the entirety of a person’s actions, taking into consideration not just specific situations, but the general nature of a person’s character that is demonstrated when confronted by specific situations. A virtuous person may not always perform the act with the best consequences or the act that is considered good in itself, but whatever action they take, they do so with the intention of performing good.
Virtue ethics is also beneficial in that it takes into consideration the importance of non-moral goals. Not everything that gives my life integrity needs be centered on morality. Other projects, such as doing well in school or sports, are equally important, as they define who one is.
Criticisms of Virtue Theory
Many criticisms have been levied against virtue ethics. The first of these is the issue as to what should count as virtuous. Virtue theorists often claim that what is virtuous is what a virtuous person would do. But then we are led to ask what a virtuous person would do. This takes us back to the response that a virtuous person would do what is virtuous, leading us into what is known as a circular argument. Aristotle is able to side step this circularity by giving specific criteria for virtuousness, i.e. to be virtuous is to be moderate. A second criticism for virtue ethics is a lack of evidence for the idea that everybody has a character that will confront various issues in a similar manner. Recent studies in psychology and cognitive science strongly support the idea that our behaviors are not dictated by some inner contemplation, but by outer stimulation. This has led to the rise of situationist psychology, where a person’s actions are not determined by some innate character, but by the external situation in which they find themselves. Another criticism of virtue ethics is that it ignores the greater good by focusing on the individual. This could lead to problematic situations in which someone sacrifices the good of the community strictly because they want to act virtuously. A fourth and final criticism is the issue of whether there can be several sets of virtues that conflict with one another. Because of the fact that many virtue ethicists have failed to give a specific response to the question of what is virtuous, this is a serious concern for the theory as a whole. People in different historical periods or cultures may give drastically different answer when asked what virtue is. In fact, people in this class may disagree about this. Is one person’s answer right and another’s wrong, or are several people correct even though their answers may conflict with one another?
Virtue Theory and Medicine
One area where virtue ethics does seem to be a beneficial outlook to hold is that of medicine. Those who work in this field are expected to commit themselves to act according to certain virtues, the most important of these being a special commitment and consideration for a patient’s well-being. We want our health care workers to act according to these virtues, as often times our very lives are in their hands. Most people would prefer a nurse or doctor who had their best interest at heart. Many modern health care workers have embraced virtue ethics for this very reason, as is made evident in this week’s additional reading from Gardiner.
Required Audio:
Media Index . Please listen to the Audio to Go (located under Course) listed below.
- Virtue Ethics
NOTE: If you are having difficulty accessing the above material, please click on the PHI 107 Pearson Instructions .
Required Web Resource:
Please read Virtue Ethics in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. While reading, think about the positive and negative aspects of the theory and whether the article emphasizes one or the other more.
Required Presentation:
