Is Aristotelian Virtue Ethics a Convincing Account of Morality?
I will conclude that Aristotelian Virtue Ethics is a highly convincing theory. By focusing on the cultivation of character rather than abstract rules or calculations, it provides a realistic and holistic account of human morality that acknowledges the messy, nuanced nature of ethical life
- Aristotelian Virtue Ethics is an agent-centered theory. It asks 'What kind of person should I be?' rather than 'What action should I do?'. The goal of human life is 'Eudaimonia' (flourishing), which is achieved by performing our unique function—reasoning well - Virtues (Arete) are character traits or dispositions that enable us to live according to reason. They are found in the 'Golden Mean' between the extremes of deficiency and excess - I will evaluate the theory against the issues of Clear Guidance, Clashing Virtues, and the relationship between Virtue and Eudaimonia (the Medic example). I will argue that 'Phronesis' (practical wisdom) successfully resolves these challenges
Section 1: The Function Argument and Eudaimonia
- The Function Argument is powerful because it links 'doing well' with 'being well'. Just as a good knife is one that cuts well, a good human is one who reasons well. This secular, teleological approach avoids the 'naturalistic fallacy' by defining the 'good' through a thing's essential nature
Aristotle: The Function (Ergon) Argument
- Aristotle argues that everything has a function (ergon). The function of a human is the exercise of the soul's faculties (reason) in conformity with virtue - Eudaimonia is the state of having performed this function excellently over a complete life. Therefore, morality is about developing the habits (virtues) that allow us to reason and act excellently
Section 2: The Guidance Objection and Practical Wisdom
- The 'Guidance' objection fails because it expects ethics to be a math problem. Aristotle’s response is more realistic: life is too complex for universal rules. By cultivating 'Phronesis' (practical wisdom), the virtuous person develops a 'moral sight' that allows them to navigate situations that rules cannot cover - Bentham's attempt at precision is a failure of application; Aristotle's 'imprecision' is a success of realism
Rosalind Hursthouse (defense) / Critics: The Guidance / Circularity Objection
- Critics argue that 'doing what a virtuous person would do' is circular and offers no help in a crisis. If I'm NOT virtuous, how do I know what they would do? - Hursthouse responds that every virtue (honesty, courage) provides a 'v-rule' (be honest, be brave). We don't need a single formula; we have a whole set of character-based guidelines that are more flexible than deontological laws
Section 3: Virtue and Eudaimonia: The Battlefield Medic
- Swanton's Medic is a challenging counter-example. However, Aristotle's concept of Eudaimonia is not 'happiness' in a momentary sense; it's a life-long 'objective' flourishing. The medic has performed their function excellently even if they are suffering; they have achieved a moral 'greatness' regardless of their trauma - Furthermore, humans are social animals. The medic's sacrifice enables the flourishing of the community, which is part of their own broader Eudaimonia. Virtue *aims* at flourishing, even if the world is sometimes too cruel to allow it to be fully realized
Christine Swanton: The Battlefield Medic Objection
- Swanton points out that a virtuous medic might be traumatized and live a miserable life. If virtue is 'that which enables flourishing', but here it leads to suffering, then the connection between virtue and Eudaimonia is broken - This suggests that virtue must be grounded in something else (like the general good or altruism) rather than individual flourishing
- While critics argue that Virtue Ethics fails to provide the 'algorithmic' certainty of Utilitarianism, Aristotle correctly identifies that such certainty is a myth in a complex world. The path to moral action is not found in a rulebook, but in the long-term cultivation of a virtuous character - The challenge that virtue and flourishing can come apart (the Medic) is serious, but it overlooks that Eudaimonia is a life-long state and that humans are social, collaborative beings. Ultimately, Virtue Ethics remains the most psychologically grounded and practical guide to a meaningful life