Virtue ethicists discuss the nature and definition of virtues and other related problems that focus on the consequences of action. Louden notes in passing that macintyre, a supporter of virtue based ethics, has. Book vii of the nicomachean ethics is identical to book vi of the eudemian ethics. We were to write up a paper based on virtue ethics and each of its points. Virtue ethics is a major approach to normative ethical theory that takes the consideration of character as fundamental to ethical reflection. I bought this because it was small and easy to read and actually not a boring read in the slightest.
Especially useful for general readers and lower and upperdivision undergraduate students. Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by aristotle and other ancient greeks. By practicing being honest, brave, just, generous, and so on, a person develops an honorable and moral character. Virtue ethics, in contrast, take a very different perspective. Aristotles ethics stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Virtuebased ethical theories place less emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead focus on helping people develop good character traits, such as kindness and generosity. Philosophers who seek an alternative to the main deontological and consequentialist traditions in modern moral theory have looked to this perspective, especially in the last twenty years. For example, alasdair macintyre is one of the leading modern moral philosophers whos revived the aristotelian approach to ethics.
Aristotle on friendship based on virtue nicomachean. Introduction to aristotle, virtue ethics, and this book chapter 1. It begins with this marvellous apocalyptic scenario in which he imagines a society where. It is fitting, therefore, that his moral philosophy is based around assessing the broad characters of human beings rather than assessing singular acts in isolation. Morality too is based on reason, according to kant. Rosalind hursthouse offers an alternative to kants deontology or benthams utilitarianism. Virtue ethics are normative ethical theories which emphasize virtues of mind, character and. Virtue ethics are normative ethical theories which emphasize virtues of mind, character and sense of honesty. Aristotle on friendship based on virtue nicomachean ethics book 8 philosophy core concepts.
For virtue ethics, this is the most important book of the past few decades, and it is the most systematically worked out account of neoaristotelian virtue ethics since its emergence in the early 20th century. Aristotelian virtue is defined in book ii of the nicomachean ethics as a. These include how virtues are acquired, how they are applied in various real life contexts, and whether they are rooted in a universal human nature or in a plurality of cultures. A study in moral theory by alasdair macintyre, the nicomachean ethics by aristotle, dialogues and essays by. Are all these books youve chosen in some sort of conversation with each other. This characterbased approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through practice. Kant and many other enlightenment philosophers take rationality to be the savior of humankind, with respect to.
In addition to aristotle, the classical source of nonmoral virtue theory, it includes the esteembased virtue ethics of francis hutcheson and david hume. This character based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through practice. Introduction the nicomachean ethics, aristotles most important study of personal. According to eudaimonist virtue ethics, the good life is the eudaimon life, and the virtues are. Buy virtue ethics oxford readings in philosophy by crisp, roger, slote, michael isbn. A welcome addition to the history of philosophy of virtue ethics, this book contains almost 50 pages dedicated to a glossary, an index, and valuable bibliographical essays. This book has all the points, each on its own chapter. It is the quest to understand and live a life of moral character.
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