Virtue Ethics

VIRTUE ETHICS
LESSON 2, MODULE 6
VIRTUE
ETHICS
• Virtue came from the Greek word “arete” which means
“excellence”
• It emphasizes the role of one’s character and the virtues

that one’s character embodies for determining ethical
behavior.
VIRTUE
ETHICS
According to virtue ethics, living an ethical life means
becoming a certain kind of person — specifically, a
virtuous one. The central part of becoming a virtuous
person is to have stable habits that guide you toward
human excellence.
VIRTUE VS. VICES
VIRTUE VICES
S as ones that
It defines good actions A vice is a bad or undesirable character
display embody virtuous character trait.
EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE:
generous, conscientious, and honest refer to
Envious, insensitive, and vain refer to
morally good character traits
morally bad character traits
“THE MOTTO"
Avoid vices and acquire virtues!

VIRTUE
ETHICS
Virtues are developed from childhood to adolescence
and to the final stages of an adult
VIRTUE
ETHICS
As individuals develop, their character and behavior
changes. In choosing what is right which in most
cases is difficult, the person continues to develop the
habit of virtue.
Aristotle & Virtue
Ethics
Main concept
• The ultimate purpose cannot be
understood without understanding the
p l a c e o f r e a s o n i n o r d e r i n g o n e ’s l i f e .
• Morality is not merely a matter of

knowing the good, but actually doing
t h e g o o d h a b i t u a l l y. We b e c o m e wh a t we
a r e n o t wh a t w e k n o w b u t wh a t we d o
EUDAEMON
IA
Self-realization is the highest good
attainable by man. Self-realization is
termed as Eudaimonia or well-being or
happiness.
EUDAEMONIA
• This happiness is not the same as
possession of wealth or pleasure; while
pleasure is good, it is not the ultimate
good
• E u d a e m o n i a i s s o u g h t f o r i t s o wn s a k e .
A l l o t h e r e n d s , s u c h a s we a l t h , h e a l t h ,
p o w e r, a r e s o u g h t b e c a u s e t h e y a r e
p e r c e i v e d t o b e i n s t r u m e n t a l i n o n e ’s
flourishing.
Threefold Nature of Man
VEGETATIVE
R e f er s t o t h e p h y s i c al b o d y wh i ch i s c u l t i v at ed b y
w h o l e s o m e fo o d a n d p ro p e r ex erc i s e . T h e b o d y n ee d s fo o d ,
d r i n k , wo rk , an d res t i n o rd e r t o s u rv i v e an d t o k e ep
o n e s el f p h y s i c al l y fi t .
SENTIENT
M a n a s fu l l o f s en s e s h as s e n t i e n t n at u re . M a n ’s
s en s u al fe el i n g s an d em o t i o n s m u s t b e f u l l y
d e v el o p ed t h ro u g h ap p ro p ri at e s e x a ct i v i t y wi t h i n
t h e l i m i t o f h i s s o ci al c o n v e n t i o n s .
Threefold Nature of Man
RATIONAL
A p ers o n d e v e l o p s h i s rat i o n al n a t u re i n t h e p u rs u i t o f
s c i e n t i fi c k n o wl e d g e . p h i l o s o p h i c al t ru t h , p o l i t i c al
a c t i v i t y, rel i g i o u s co m m i t m en t , a n d c re at i v e , a rt i s t i c
e n d ea v o r.
“Therefore, for Aristotle, upon the realization of man’s

highest nature, there is good, happiness.”
AS A Q U IN A S
ST. T HO M S
IRT U E E T H IC
AND V
Thomas Aquinas
• St. Thomas’ philosophy began with the
standpoint of faith. He is known to be one
who Christianized the philosophy based
on his theories and ways.
• Existence of God who is the author

(source) and the goal (end) of all realities.
Thomas Aquinas
• He used the term synderesis to describe
the inherent capacity of an individual to
perceive what is good or bad. (“Do good
and avoid evil”)
• His moral law dictates of the voice of

reason, and it is expressed in the
principle that good must be done and
evil must be avoided.
What is good for St. Thomas
Suitable for and proper to Human nature is the proximate
human nature. norm of morality.
Whenever an act is suitable to human Good is built into human nature, to
nature as such, then it is good and it which we are directed by our natural
must be done; whenever it is not inclinations: self-preservation, just
proper to human nature, however, dealings with others and the
then it is evil and it must be avoided propagation of the species.
Three Natural Inclinations of Man
1. Self-preservation - Preservation of life.

S e l f - d e s t r u c t i o n i s u n n a t u r a l . T h i s u rg e s u s
to care for our health, not to kill ourselves or
p u t o u r s e l v e s i n d a n g e r.
2. Just dealings with others- Reason by nature

leads us to treat others with the same dignity
and respect that we accord ourselves.
Three Natural Inclinations of Man
3 . P r o p a g a t i o n o f t h e s p e c i e s - We a r e
naturally inclined to perpetuate our
species which is viewed as a natural
good.
Determinant of Morality
1. Object - The act itself.
2. Circumstances- Are conditions

which, when superadded to the nature
o f t h e m o r a l a c t , w i l l a ff e c t i t s
m o r a l i t y.
3.End of the agent- The end here is

taken in the sense of end or purpose of
t h e a g e n t o r t h e d o e r.

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VIRTUE ETHICS

• It emphasizes the role of one’s character and the virtues

Avoid vices and acquire virtues!

• Morality is not merely a matter of

“Therefore, for Aristotle, upon the realization of man’s

• Existence of God who is the author

• His moral law dictates of the voice of

1. Self-preservation - Preservation of life.

2. Just dealings with others- Reason by nature

2. Circumstances- Are conditions

3.End of the agent- The end here is

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