Example Of Virtue Ethics

Hursthouse might respond to this objection that moral philosophy is sufficient for a virtuous person to make a decision in any given circumstances because it guides the person to be certain not in making the correct decision but in having virtuous intention. A person’s virtuous intention is based not by what end it reaches. It is by what action is made. Hursthouse might argue in our given example that the surgeon’s action is certain because he makes a decision with the intention to save a life of a patient instead of losing two. In addition, Hursthouse might claim that this act of virtuous intention is reasoned in terms of what a virtuous person would do. However, this response fails to recognize that certainty is not just

The first theory I will compare virtue ethics against is ethical egoism. The two theories share a commonality apart from being normative in nature. They both seek what is best for the doer. Aristotle claimed that happiness is ultimately attained by striving for the “function of man” which is the excellence found within virtue. This is comparable to ethical egoism because of it’s principle of exclusively acting in one’s own best interest. While virtue ethics states that a virtuous character is the goal, ethical egoism is not specific to what is in a person’s best interest. If attaining a virtuous character is

I. Provide answers for five (5) of the following (6 points each, total of 30 points):

Aristotle and Rita Manning both have different theories when it comes to ethics. Aristotle uses virtue ethics to answer questions about morality whereas Manning uses what is called ethics of caring to do the same thing. Virtue ethics claims people’s actions aim towards the highest good of happiness. From happiness, moral virtue stems from reasons governing the desires of the soul. Manning on the other hand believes that moral actions extend from people caring for one another on a personal level. By developing the ability to care for others, people become morally aware of how to act in certain situations. When the question of: “how ought I live my life?”

Ethics and virtue have been a very contentious issue facing society for centuries. Many argue over the merits of various theories, each with its own philosophies and assumptions. It is this argument that has given rise to many popular and followed theories of ethics and virtues. The theories discussed primarily in this document include the virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological theory. Each is very distinct to the others in regards to its principles and assumptions regarding human behavior. Each however, has merit in regards to question of ethics and virtue, and how it should subsequently be valued.

Consider these two quotes: “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” – Aristotle and “There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it.” - Maya Angelou. These two powerful minds present two ways of thought to be debated. One saying do whatever it is that makes you happy and the other being do not be greedy in life.

Chapter nine talks about the environment within and virtues. Christian virtue ethics focus on the end of an act instead of on the consequences because the end says more about the agent (p.164, M). If one person does something that doesn't seem of good virtue, then Christian virtue won't judge that person till the end because their means for doing something could be different than one thinks. The goal of virtue ethics is not better decisions but better deciders (p.164, M). Virtue ethics is about an individual making a decision that may or may not be a good one. Then, people outside of that decision have to decide if that individual's decision was worth changing or leaving it be. Environmental virtue ethics aims for the formation of good people, because good

Virtue theory is how a person makes decision right and wrong. What kind of person does one wants to be? Also, it deals with a person characteristic difference between good habits and bad habits and the commitments to their relationship, job, and community. Virtue theory is especially important in medical field. Working in medical field it does not matter if a person is doctor, nurse, or therapist. This type of occupations it is extremely important to keep patients information confidential. Also, working medical workers needs to be good to their patients. Medical Beneficence is to be good the patient. Medical virtue is higher standard of virtue than any other career because; it is not based on person self-interest

With winter break 2016 winding down, in anticipation of the upcoming spring semester of classes, I found myself compelled to login to my Creighton accounts and explore what the class material that had already been placed onto Blueline. Glancing briefly at the course layout, I was initially shocked by the large amount of information that had been posted under my Theology 270 class. Examining the rubric, I can honestly say I was less than excited to discover a total of six papers and two tests would be required to pass the class. It would be a lie to not confess that the thought of attempting to possibly switch classes, or even drop the class entirely certainly crossed my mind during my initial judgment of the class. However, now with just a

The lawyer in this case has an obligation to the child under the virtue theory, the lawyer must exhibit strong core moral values such as integrity, non- maleficence, and justice and fairness when approaching this case. Since the lawyer suspects that the couple he is representing is involved in illicit drug use, it is his responsibility to work in the child’s best interest. Though his professional role is to represent and ‘win’ the case against the adoptive parents, the lawyer must remain virtuous (as a human being) and consider what he morally ‘ought’ to do to ensure the welfare of the child involved. The virtue of caring and concern is paramount in this case. Under the virtue theory, the lawyer must show strong moral character as well as caring and concern for the wellbeing and future of this child, in spite of the legal leverage his clients may have.

According to MacIntyre “practice” refers to an activity in which one does to achieve a goal. The practice could be a done for reasons such as money, pleasure, requirement, education, etc., usually to obtain a “good”.

That is, under the Aristotelian philosophy, all human actions have a root cause or motivation.

As the nurse director in the given case study, using the Aristotelian virtue ethics as the guideline for all actions, thoughts, and feelings would need to correspond with his definition of a good life. The hospital did not act in the highest form of the good life, as they did not consider the implications of the precedent it would set for all future situations where racism plays a factor in a hospital setting. In order to understand what was necessary to think, feel, and do for each party involved, and the argument that Aristotle would make, it is important to understand what Aristotle would define as a good life and moral virtues.

Nice post. I agree that virtue ethics goes beyond ethical codes. Virtue ethics represent the moral values and beliefs of a person. When a person constantly does good acts and does not look for recognition, they represent a person with virtue ethics. They see others before they see themselves. They practice the principle of doing good that benefits the society. A person who has virtue ethics has ideal character traits and avoids bringing harm to others. Professionals in the psychology and counseling should definitely have virtue ethics. Clients and patients are trusting professionals with their personal issues and looking for help. There are a few clients at my job who have expressed they would like to have out former psychiatrist

In our society, I think most people relate happiness to physical and material pleasures. Happiness fluctuates as the new thing you had to have grows old. Trying to “keep up with the Jones” does not bring happiness in life. Hursthouse (2012) noted, “Virtue ethics claims that a human life devoted to physical pleasure or the acquisition of wealth is not flourishing, happy or living well, but a wasted life” (pp. 2). Personally, someone that is deceitful, selfish, greedy, self-indulgent, and yet enjoys great pleasure and appears to be quite happy would seem to not be flourishing. Aristotle ties people who practice good deed tend to be happy and flourish in life (Aristotle, 1931). Mosser (2013) noted, “For Aristotle, the virtuous person, is someone