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Single Idea 1581
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / d. Virtue theory critique
]
Full Idea
The ancient pagans place virtues on a high plateau and make them appear the most valuable thing in the world, but they do not sufficiently instruct us about how to know them.
Gist of Idea
Greeks elevate virtues enormously, but never explain them
Source
René Descartes (A Discourse on Method [1637], §1.8)
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.31
The
20 ideas
with the same theme
[reasons against virtue theory]:
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3548
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Aristotle neglects the place of rules in the mature virtuous person
[Annas on Aristotle]
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1581
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Greeks elevate virtues enormously, but never explain them
[Descartes]
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3544
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Kant thinks virtue becomes passive, and hence morally unaccountable
[Kant, by Annas]
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5289
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When aristocracy or the bourgeoisie dominate, certain values dominate with them
[Marx/Engels]
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20375
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Virtues must be highly personal; if not, it is merely respect for a concept
[Nietzsche]
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2881
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Virtue has been greatly harmed by the boringness of its advocates
[Nietzsche]
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24132
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After Socrates virtue is misunderstood, as good for all, not for individuals
[Nietzsche]
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20198
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Many virtues are harmful traps, but that is why other people praise them
[Nietzsche]
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20103
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You are mastered by your own virtues, but you must master them, and turn them into tools
[Nietzsche]
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7165
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Virtue is wasteful, as it reduces us all to being one another's nurse
[Nietzsche]
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7193
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Virtue for everyone removes its charm of being exceptional and aristocratic
[Nietzsche]
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22476
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Nietzsche thought our psychology means there can't be universal human virtues
[Nietzsche, by Foot]
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9260
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Virtues won't generate an obligation, so it isn't a basis for morality
[Prichard]
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23692
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Good and bad are a matter of actions, not of internal dispositions
[Foot]
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16956
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To explain generosity in a person, you must understand a generous action
[Dummett]
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7097
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Virtue is secondary to a role-figure, defined within a culture
[MacIntyre, by Statman]
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7101
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Virtue theory needs an external standard to judge behaviour and character
[Inwagen, by Statman]
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4334
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Virtue ethics is open to the objection that it fails to show priority among the virtues
[Hursthouse]
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7100
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Virtue theory isn't a genuine ethical theory, because it doesn't have universal application
[Statman]
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7102
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Promises create moral duties that have nothing to do with character
[Statman]
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