Virtue Ethics Theory
1. Why are Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle usually considered to be the founders of Western philosophical ethics? * Because it was their determination to base ethics on reason, rather than on superstition or authority, laid the foundation upon which virtually all philosophers who followed would base their ideas and theories about morality.
2. Why do many people consider Socrates to be a martyr for truth and integrity? * Socrates is considered by many to be a martyr for truth and integrity because of his courage and adherence to traditional beliefs. He was charged with charges of atheism, treason, and corrupting the youth of Athens – all death penalties, just for trying to question tradition. In spite of all the powerful people he offended, no one seemed that eager to kill him and his cell door pretty much remained open for him to escape. Yet, when his execution day arrived, he drank his cup of poison and died. Socrates was determined to force the people of Athens to accept responsibility for their choice of comfortable superstition over logic and reason.
3. What is the primary focus of the virtue of ethics theory?
-The primary focus is one’s character, especially the personal disposition to act well in various circumstances. What really guides our behavior as humans is not ultimately self-centeredness or explicit commitments to moral rules or results but rather the deep patterns of each of our personalities and behaviors.
4. What was the ancient Greeks’ assumption about the meaning or purpose of life? * They generally held that that central purpose of life was to achieve happiness and fulfillment.
5. What are Plato’s four “classic virtues”? 1) Self-control – controlling oneself to only desire what is good and in the right proportions. 2) Courage- awareness of what to fear and willingness to endure hardship for the right reasons. 3) Wisdom – capacity to govern one’s own impulses and feelings, to think logically and
2. Why do many people consider Socrates to be a martyr for truth and integrity? * Socrates is considered by many to be a martyr for truth and integrity because of his courage and adherence to traditional beliefs. He was charged with charges of atheism, treason, and corrupting the youth of Athens – all death penalties, just for trying to question tradition. In spite of all the powerful people he offended, no one seemed that eager to kill him and his cell door pretty much remained open for him to escape. Yet, when his execution day arrived, he drank his cup of poison and died. Socrates was determined to force the people of Athens to accept responsibility for their choice of comfortable superstition over logic and reason.
3. What is the primary focus of the virtue of ethics theory?
-The primary focus is one’s character, especially the personal disposition to act well in various circumstances. What really guides our behavior as humans is not ultimately self-centeredness or explicit commitments to moral rules or results but rather the deep patterns of each of our personalities and behaviors.
4. What was the ancient Greeks’ assumption about the meaning or purpose of life? * They generally held that that central purpose of life was to achieve happiness and fulfillment.
5. What are Plato’s four “classic virtues”? 1) Self-control – controlling oneself to only desire what is good and in the right proportions. 2) Courage- awareness of what to fear and willingness to endure hardship for the right reasons. 3) Wisdom – capacity to govern one’s own impulses and feelings, to think logically and