Question

Present a detailed definition of virtue ethics and explain each of its core concepts, i.e. vice, mean, eudaimonia, etc. Apply the theory to a case in order to show how to use the theory in our everyday lives. List some of the strengths of the theory.

Answer 1

Virtual ethics is abroad term that encompasses all theories that describe the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy and sinceits rivavl in the modern times, it hasbeen developed into three main directions; Eudaimonism, agent-based theories and ethics of care.

• Eudamonism: Here the emphasis is on thehuman flourishing with his/her performance being carried out distinctively well.
• Agent-based theory; This emphasizes that virtues are detrmined by common-sense intuitions that we observe and admire in others.
• Ethics of care: This emphasizes on the justice and autonomy and caring and nurturing trais in individuals.

Aristotle described that human beings have 18 different kinds of virtues and he divided them under two headings Moral virtue and Intellectual Virtue. Under moral virtue, each of the virtue he listed was actually the epicenter with corresponding vices, one of excess and one of deficiency. For ex: Courage was one such virtue epicenter with cowardice being deficiency and recklessness being excess.

Similarly you can describe the deficiency and the excesses for the moral virtue listed below: Temperance, liberality, magnificence, magnamity, proper ambition, truthfulness,wittiness, friendiness, modesty, righteous indignation.

The intellectual virtues include intelligence, science and theoritical wisdom.

You can choose from many topics, here is one that is I feel strongly about:

How ethical as a parent am I to deny my child chocolate when his/her peers are buying it and enjoying, knowing for a fact that there might be child labour involved in the processing of the chocolate?

As per virtue ethics, as long as I am thinking about the facts involved in the processing of the product, by limiting the consumerism and educating my child on the same and also by donating a certain percentage of time and money for creating the awareness of the issue, I am in my purview following the ethical guidelines laid out by the theory.