more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 20214

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / c. Particularism ]

Full Idea

A pure virtue theory can have as many rules as you like as long as they are understood as grounded in the virtuous motivations and understanding of the nonmoral facts that virtuous agents possess.

Gist of Idea

Virtue theory can have lots of rules, as long as they are grounded in virtues and in facts

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], II 6.1)

Book Ref

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.238


A Reaction

It is important, I think, to see that a virtue theorist does not have to be a particularist.


The 34 ideas from 'Virtues of the Mind'

Unlike knowledge, wisdom cannot be misused [Zagzebski]
Epistemic perfection for reliabilism is a truth-producing machine [Zagzebski]
Modern epistemology is too atomistic, and neglects understanding [Zagzebski]
Some beliefs are fairly voluntary, and others are not at all so [Zagzebski]
Moral luck means our praise and blame may exceed our control or awareness [Zagzebski]
Intellectual virtues are forms of moral virtue [Zagzebski]
Virtue theory is hopeless if there is no core of agreed universal virtues [Zagzebski]
Nowadays we doubt the Greek view that the flourishing of individuals and communities are linked [Zagzebski]
The courage of an evil person is still a quality worth having [Zagzebski]
A virtue must always have a corresponding vice [Zagzebski]
Eight marks distingush skills from virtues [Zagzebski, by PG]
Motives involve desires, but also how the desires connect to our aims [Zagzebski]
Virtues are deep acquired excellences of persons, which successfully attain desire ends [Zagzebski]
Every moral virtue requires a degree of intelligence [Zagzebski]
The feeling accompanying curiosity is neither pleasant nor painful [Zagzebski]
Intellectual and moral prejudice are the same vice (and there are other examples) [Zagzebski]
We can name at least thirteen intellectual vices [Zagzebski]
For the virtue of honesty you must be careful with the truth, and not just speak truly [Zagzebski]
A reliable process is no use without the virtues to make use of them [Zagzebski]
We need phronesis to coordinate our virtues [Zagzebski]
Virtue theory can have lots of rules, as long as they are grounded in virtues and in facts [Zagzebski]
A justified belief emulates the understanding and beliefs of an intellectually virtuous person [Zagzebski]
Modern moral theory concerns settling conflicts, rather than human fulfilment [Zagzebski]
The self is known as much by its knowledge as by its action [Zagzebski]
Truth is valuable, but someone knowing the truth is more valuable [Zagzebski]
Knowledge either aims at a quantity of truths, or a quality of understanding of truths [Zagzebski]
Precision is only one of the virtues of a good definition [Zagzebski]
Objection by counterexample is weak, because it only reveals inaccuracies in one theory [Zagzebski]
Epistemology is excessively atomic, by focusing on justification instead of understanding [Zagzebski]
For internalists Gettier situations are where internally it is fine, but there is an external mishap [Zagzebski]
Gettier problems are always possible if justification and truth are not closely linked [Zagzebski]
We avoid the Gettier problem if the support for the belief entails its truth [Zagzebski]
Gettier cases arise when good luck cancels out bad luck [Zagzebski]
Wisdom is the property of a person, not of their cognitive state [Zagzebski, by Whitcomb]