(GE108) Ethics_Lesson 5 (Developing Virtue as a Habit).pdf

GE108_ETHICS First Semester, Academic Year 2024-2025 WEEK 5, LESSON 5 THE MORAL AGENT: DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS A HABIT PRESENTED BY: ASST. PROF. LAUDIMER C. HINGADA  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM)...

GE108_ETHICS First Semester, Academic Year 2024-2025 WEEK 5, LESSON 5 THE MORAL AGENT: DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS A HABIT PRESENTED BY: ASST. PROF. LAUDIMER C. HINGADA  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the presentation, students are expected to achieve the following objectives: 1. Explain the concept of moral virtues and their role in ethical decision-making, demonstrating an understanding of key philosophical perspectives on virtue ethics. 2. Apply ethical reasoning to real-life scenarios by evaluating actions and decisions according to established moral virtues. 3. Develop a habit of reflective practice to foster personal virtues, demonstrating accountability in ethical behavior and decision- making. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT IS A MORAL AGENT? A Moral Agent is an individual who possesses the capacity to make ethical decisions and is accountable for their actions. This concept is central to moral philosophy because it emphasizes the role of the individual in ethical behavior. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit KEY ATTRIBUTES OF A MORAL AGENT A moral agent lies among 4 specific attributes, namely: Rationality. The ability to reason and make informed decisions. Moral agents can weigh the consequences of their actions and reflect on their motives. Autonomy. They have the freedom to choose their actions without being coerced. This autonomy is crucial for ethical responsibility. Consciousness. A moral agent is aware of their actions and the moral implications of those actions. This awareness distinguishes them from beings that act purely on instinct. Moral Responsibility. Moral agents are held accountable for their actions, meaning they can be praised for virtuous behavior or blamed for unethical conduct. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT DOES VIRTUE MEAN? A Virtue is a positive moral trait or quality that guides a person’s actions towards ethical behavior. Virtues like courage, honesty, kindness, and humility are central to a good character. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit Do you think people are born virtuous, or do they develop virtues over time? GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit According to Aristotle, virtues are not inherent but are cultivated through deliberate practice. Just like skills, virtues are strengthened through repeated actions that align with them. Courage is developed by facing fears in small, manageable ways. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT DOES VIRTUE MEAN? Virtue ethics is rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Unlike other ethical theories that focus on rules (deontology) or consequences (consequentialism), virtue ethics emphasizes the development of good character. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT DOES VIRTUE MEAN? Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics introduced the idea that virtues are states of character developed through practice and habituation. He believed that living a virtuous life leads to eudaimonia—often translated as flourishing or living well. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHY VIRTUES MATTER? Guiding Moral Behavior. Virtues provide an internal compass that helps individuals navigate complex moral situations. Eudaimonia (Flourishing). Virtues are not just about moral correctness; they are also essential for achieving a fulfilled and meaningful life. For Aristotle, living virtuously is the path to eudaimonia, which means living in accordance with reason and realizing one’s full potential. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VIRTUES? Virtue has three (3) notable types, these are: Moral Virtues. Traits like honesty, courage, kindness, and generosity that directly influence one’s ethical actions. Intellectual Virtues. Traits like wisdom, understanding, and prudence that help individuals make sound decisions. Virtue as a Mean. Aristotle’s concept of the “Golden Mean” suggests that virtues lie between extremes. For example, courage is the mean between recklessness (too much) and cowardice (too little). GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit How do you think developing virtues contributes to a good life? GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS A HABIT Aristotle argued that virtues are not innate but developed through practice and repetition. For example, one becomes brave by repeatedly acting bravely, even in small ways Consistent Actions. Regularly choosing to act in line with virtues reinforces those virtues within oneself. This process is similar to building muscle through regular exercise. Habituation. By continuously practicing virtues, actions that align with those virtues become habitual, making virtuous behavior second nature. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF HABITUATION? The Process of Habituation refers to the steps involved in developing a virtue into a habitual part of one's character. IDENTIFY THE VIRTUE PRACTICE REGULARLY REFLECT AND ADJUST GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VIRTUES? 1. Identify the Virtue. Understand the importance of a particular virtue, such as patience or honesty. 2. Practice Regularly. Act in accordance with that virtue in various situations, even if it feels challenging. 3. Reflect and Adjust. Regularly reflect on one’s actions to ensure they align with the desired virtue. Adjust behavior as needed to stay on the virtuous path. If someone struggles with impatience, they might deliberately practice waiting calmly in line or listening fully to others without interrupting. Over time, these actions build the habit of patience. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit CHALLENGES 1. Developing virtues requires continuous effort and self-reflection. It’s not enough to know what is right; one must also strive to do what is right, even when it’s difficult. 2. There are also external factors, such as social pressures or personal biases, that can make it challenging to consistently practice virtues. However, regular reflection and a commitment to personal growth can help overcome these challenges. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Moral agents are responsible for developing their virtues, and these virtues, in turn, guide their actions. This interplay emphasizes that ethical living is not static but an ongoing process of self-improvement. 2. Virtue ethics teaches that by becoming virtuous, moral agents not only make ethical decisions but also inspire others through their character and actions. GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025  WEEK 5, LESSON 5 (PRELIM TERM) Developing Virtue as a Habit "What is one virtue you want to work on developing as a habit? What will be your first step?" GE108 (Ethics) First Semester | Academic Year 2024-2025