more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 7101

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / d. Virtue theory critique ]

Full Idea

Virtue theory leaves out something essential, namely, the existence of a standard of behaviour which is prior to and independent of human character, in terms of which we evaluate the behaviour and character of ourselves and others.

Gist of Idea

Virtue theory needs an external standard to judge behaviour and character

Source

report of Peter van Inwagen (Response to Slote [1990]) by Daniel Statman - Introduction to Virtue Ethics §5

Book Ref

'Virtue Ethics', ed/tr. Statman,Daniel [Edinburgh 1997], p.21

A Reaction

This sounds very like Moore's Naturalistic Fallacy. Personally I prefer Aristotle's naturalistic reliance on human nature and function to Moore's totally unjustified intuitionist Platonism. How can anything be good if it isn't supposed to do anything?

The 20 ideas with the same theme [reasons against virtue theory]:

3548 Aristotle neglects the place of rules in the mature virtuous person [Annas on Aristotle]
1581 Greeks elevate virtues enormously, but never explain them [Descartes]
3544 Kant thinks virtue becomes passive, and hence morally unaccountable [Kant, by Annas]
5289 When aristocracy or the bourgeoisie dominate, certain values dominate with them [Marx/Engels]
20375 Virtues must be highly personal; if not, it is merely respect for a concept [Nietzsche]
2881 Virtue has been greatly harmed by the boringness of its advocates [Nietzsche]
24132 After Socrates virtue is misunderstood, as good for all, not for individuals [Nietzsche]
20198 Many virtues are harmful traps, but that is why other people praise them [Nietzsche]
20103 You are mastered by your own virtues, but you must master them, and turn them into tools [Nietzsche]
7165 Virtue is wasteful, as it reduces us all to being one another's nurse [Nietzsche]
7193 Virtue for everyone removes its charm of being exceptional and aristocratic [Nietzsche]
22476 Nietzsche thought our psychology means there can't be universal human virtues [Nietzsche, by Foot]
9260 Virtues won't generate an obligation, so it isn't a basis for morality [Prichard]
23692 Good and bad are a matter of actions, not of internal dispositions [Foot]
16956 To explain generosity in a person, you must understand a generous action [Dummett]
7097 Virtue is secondary to a role-figure, defined within a culture [MacIntyre, by Statman]
7101 Virtue theory needs an external standard to judge behaviour and character [Inwagen, by Statman]
4334 Virtue ethics is open to the objection that it fails to show priority among the virtues [Hursthouse]
7100 Virtue theory isn't a genuine ethical theory, because it doesn't have universal application [Statman]
7102 Promises create moral duties that have nothing to do with character [Statman]