MEDI7231 Study Guide - Final Guide: Primum Non Nocere, Relativism, Deontological Ethics
ETHICAL THEORIES II
Campion B. Virtue ethics and health care ethics. Part 1: The good doctor. Canadian Catholic Bioethics
Institute. Bioethics Matters. 2011 Feb;9(2):1-4.
Virtue theory
Virtue ethics is concerned with the virtuous characteristics of a person, that incline them to act in a virtuous way
Virtues enable one to become a morally good person by acting in a morally good way
Example: a practise of the virtue of kindness allows an individual to become kind, and develop virtuous
attitudes and habits of kindness
Nicomachean ethics
Western understanding of virtue & virtue ethics (Aristotle)
Human beings are created for eudaimoia (happiness, excellence, engagement in the best activity for
which humans are suited)
Describes how a good person should live, and how to have the right disposition/ motivations/ emotions
Virtue theory was revived in 1950s when philosophers were dissatisfied with rule-governed ethics
(Kantian)
Virtue ethics is teleological, whereby it looks at the ends or goals of human existence and identifies
virtues necessary for human flourishing in light of those ends or goals
For Aristotle, one of the traits that distinguishes humans from other creatures is the use of reason
Phronesis is practical reasoning or wisdom that guides the agent in the proper use of virtue
Practical reason or wisdom remains extremely important in virtue ethics as it discerns the relevant
features of the current situation & combines this with the 'end' to arrive at the appropriate action
Virtue ethics acts as a form of applied ethics in making good decisions
The agent will flourish as they make virtuous choices & become wise, courageous, compassionate &
self controlled
Dynamic relationship between actions & character, and between individual & community
Virtues are determined by a socially accepted understanding of the telos & the community
encourages the practice of those virtues
Mentoring remains an essential part of education in virtue, which shapes not only the mentored
individual but the community too
Two types of virtues (Aristotle)
Virtues of character (moral virtues)
Virtues of the mind (intellectual virtues)
Moral virtues
A moral virtue is a habitual disposition connected with choice
"Choose" & "habit"
oWe can choose to be virtuous, or perform vices; reason makes us usually choose
virtue
oHabitual dispositions come about through repetition and training
Moral virtues are habits
oThree conditions found in soul - feelings, dispositions, habits
oVirtues are neither of the first two; we are not described as good or bad simply
because of how we feel, nor because we possess the dispositions which enable us to have feelings
oTherefore, virtues are habits
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Campion b. virtue ethics and health care ethics. Virtue ethics is concerned with the virtuous characteristics of a person, that incline them to act in a virtuous way. Virtues enable one to become a morally good person by acting in a morally good way. Example: a practise of the virtue of kindness allows an individual to become kind, and develop virtuous attitudes and habits of kindness. Western understanding of virtue & virtue ethics (aristotle) Human beings are created for eudaimoia (happiness, excellence, engagement in the best activity for which humans are suited) Describes how a good person should live, and how to have the right disposition/ motivations/ emotions. Virtue theory was revived in 1950s when philosophers were dissatisfied with rule-governed ethics (kantian) Virtue ethics is teleological, whereby it looks at the ends or goals of human existence and identifies virtues necessary for human flourishing in light of those ends or goals.
