Deck 17: Virtue Ethics

Question 1

What aspects of morality do virtue ethicists accuse other ethical theories of ignoring? How does virtue ethics address these aspects of morality? Does this make virtue ethics superior to other ethical theories? Defend your answer.

Answer 1

No Answer.

Question 2

What is a virtue? How are virtues acquired? Do you agree with Aristotle's claim that virtue is essential to the good life? Why or why not?

Answer 2

No Answer.

Question 3

How do we come to have moral knowledge, according to virtue ethics? In what ways does this account of moral knowledge differ from the accounts given by previous theories? Which do you think is better, and why?

Answer 3

No Answer.

Question 4

Some have claimed the virtue ethics is too demanding. Why might someone think this? How serious of an objection is this to the theory? How do you think a virtue ethicist would reply to this claim?

Question 5

Write an essay explaining the priority problem for virtue ethics. How is this problem similar to a common objection to the Divine Command Theory? Does the objection succeed in refuting virtue ethics? Defend your answer.

Question 6

Explain the Argument from Tragic Dilemmas. How do you think a virtue ethicists should respond to this objection? Do you find this response satisfying? Why or why not?

Question 7

Aristotle believed that virtue

A) is inborn.
B) must be acquired through training.
C) is guaranteed to make us happy.
D) Both b and c

Question 8

According to the text, the best way for the virtue ethicist to reply to the argument from tragic dilemmas is to maintain that

A) tragic dilemmas are impossible.
B) a virtuous person never faces tragic dilemmas.
C) in some extraordinary circumstances, normally vicious actions are virtuous.
D) it is sometimes morally permissible to not act virtuously.

Question 9

The priority problem is a problem

A) that is shared by virtue ethics and the Divine Command Theory.
B) that is unique to virtue ethics.
C) that is shared by all ethical theories.
D) for other ethical theories but not for virtue ethics.

Question 10

What do people seek above all else, according to Aristotle?

A) Eudaimonia
B) Ataraxia
C) Pleasure
D) Power

Question 11

What is a tragic dilemma?

A) A situation in which one has two options, only one of which will have a good outcome
B) A situation in which a good person's life will be ruined, no matter what she does
C) A situation in which one must choose between self-interest and morality
D) A situation in which it is impossible to behave morally