2023-02-23 14:41 Tags: # virtue ethics Most dominant throughout human history. From pre CE to 17th century. Started in ancient greece (western), also in china and asia - confucianism and buddhism - the fact that most cultures came here independently gives quite a bit of weight to the idea. People without any academic background in ethics would likely gravitate towards ethics - e.g. self help books, motivational speakers. ## What is a virtue? A good human characteristic. Commonly quoted examples: - Honesty - Respect - Compassionate - Diligent ## Potential Vice Examples - Greedy - Lazy - Stingy (lol) ## Ancient Greece Plato and Aristotle. Idea of the way one should act is in accordance with virtues - steer away from crisis. ### The doctrine of the mean All virtues sit between two vices on a spectrum - emotional response. We start to see emotion play into it. Emotion in moderation is the best way to be. ### Bravery example Bravery sits between cowardice and recklessness (both quoted as vices). If we can sit in the middle, that's virtuous. ### How do we achieve Idea of enlightenment - everyone achieving the perfect state. ## Agent centred branches How can we root our sense of ethics in us becoming better people and improving on ourselves. What matters is the individual expressing the virtue and the intention behind the virtuous action. Can only be virtuous by being virtuous. ## Target centred virtue ethics It shouldn't be just intentionality that matters, but the actions themself that come from those virtues. If you are an honest person but don't express that when needed. ## Pros and Cons Agree on what the virtues are, but can't describe how they should be expressed. Leaves alot open to interpretation - consistent with your own beliefs. However, doesn't specifically tell you how you should act. There might also be conflicting virtues. Also very hard to codify (like [consequentialism](consequentialism.md)) Similar issues like [rights ethics](rights%20ethics.md) where it can't really be applied - doesn't apply to situations where virtue isn't the most important part of a situation. ## In engineering? Your own actions. e.g. [Week 1 Seminar](../../../Spaces/University/ELEC4122/seminars/Week%201%20Seminar.md) - dishonesty was not virtuous. [^1] ## Emotion How we act is intrinsically tied to our emotions. [^2] --- # References [^1]: [Week 2 Seminar](../../../Spaces/University/ELEC4122/seminars/Week%202%20Seminar.md) [^2]: [Week 3 Seminar](../../../Spaces/University/ELEC4122/seminars/Week%203%20Seminar.md)