Virtue Ethics: Understanding the Concept of Human Fulfillment

Virtue Ethics

• Focuses on developing good character traits (virtues) for living a good and flourishing life
• Virtuous acts stem from a good character, developed through practice and habit
• Ultimate goal is eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing), which is not just about feeling happy, but living a meaningful and fulfilling life

The Function Argument

• Aristotle believed everything has a natural function: a knife's function is to cut, a house's function is to provide shelter, and a human's function is to live a rational life
• To live a flourishing life, humans must fulfill their function according to reason
• Virtues are character traits that enable humans to perform their function well

Doctrine of the Mean

• Virtue is a balance between two extremes/vices (Deficiency and Excess)
• Virtue is a middle ground between two extremes
• Examples:
  • Courage is the mean between cowardice and rashness
  • Generosity is the mean between stinginess and extravagance
  • Temperance is the mean between insensibility and obsessiveness

Phronesis (Practical Wisdom)

• Ability to discern the good in a particular situation, considering context, people involved, and potential consequences
• Ability to make sound judgments about what course of action to take, weighing options and choosing one that aligns with virtue
• Ability to apply moral principles in a flexible way, adapting to specific circumstances
• Phronesis is essential for developing virtue, applying moral knowledge to real-world situations

Human Fulfillment

• Not about pleasure or happiness, but about living a virtuous life
• Virtues enable humans to flourish, live rationally, and achieve eudaimonia
• A virtuous person possesses and exercises good character traits, such as courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance