The Flourishing View (FV) Virtues are desirable because they are linked to flourishing.

Flourishing is a "condition of the soul" which anyone would want for its own sake (Aristotle) Need to solve 2 problems: 1. Explain flourishing in such a way that it appears to be something which any rational person would desire. 2. Show that virtues are good and vices are bad based on their special connection with flourishing. 2 states associated but not defined as flourishing: 1. Contentment = Enjoyment of your life A desirable condition of the soul that any rational person would want for its own sake. Flourishing must involve contentment but it cannot be defined as contentment. 2. Living in Accordance with Virtue Living virtuously is identical with virtue but is not desirable for its own sake. 3. Leading a Rich, Full Life (Aristotle) A person who a flourish is happy and content that functions in full capacity and maturity. Contentment is a natural consequence of a full and satisfying life. (1) There seems to be no universal idea of flourishing that is appealing to everyone. Thus, FV cannot establish its case the virtues are desirable because they lead to flourishing. The Connection between Flourishing and the Virtues Virtues = Flourish, Vices = Wither 1. Flourishing is the reward of virtue (Hebrews) 2. Intrinsic connection between flourishing and the virtues. Counterpoints: a. Not all virtues lead to flourishing and not all vices lead to withering. b. Realistically, not all virtue will be rewarded in the natural course of events. Aristotle's Perspective Arete Ethics - Virtue Ethics Excellence of Character - to be excellent is to be able to do something well, which is intrinsically rewarding. 3. Strong Contingent Connection between Virtues and Flourishing. Allows that you might not flourish (wither) even if you are virtuous (racked with vice) but there is a strong possibility that you will, based on psychological and social facts. It is a result from the reaction/ a consequential benefit from your virtue. o Happiness from the respect and affection of other people o Justifiable pride and proper self-respect Depending on your character, taste and preference (happiness), virtues will help you flourish. Even vices can make people happy but virtue has a higher probability rate. Note: Virtue may lead to flourishing may constitute flourishing but it is hardly the reason why virtue is desirable. Virtue is desirable because it is morally good to be virtuous, it is highly desirable to enjoy being virtuous. Virtue becomes the GOAL. Flourishing is the INCENTIVE. Is there any principle which can generate a list of virtues? Virtues are traits that are agreeable or useful to their possessor or to other people. (Hume) Certain traits are considered as virtues because 1. Just about anyone will call them as virtues. 2. They appeal to our tastes. 3. It is according to moral theory. *Virtues can only be understood in terms of certain activities or practices. (Alisdair MacIntyre) Counterpoint: This is an overgeneralization based on the understanding if virtues as skills. Virtues are trait character, not talents or abilities. They are activated by circumstances and not by choice. 1. Virtues and skills are achievements 2. Virtues and vices are both habit-forming. 3. Most people develop good character during childhood as their most basic personality. Moral and Non-moral Virtues Intellectual Virtues (Aristotle) Moral Virtues (Aristotle) Desirable Personal Qualities 1. Desirable Personal Qualities are not always consistent with Moral Virtues.

2. Desirable Personal Qualities are a question of taste. 3. It is difficult to draw the line between Desirable Personal Qualities and Moral Virtues Self-Control and Motivation Virtues of Self-Control Cool calculating virtues which look beyond the present moment to the broader picture and long range consequences. It the ability to control one's desires and impulses, "willpower" Motivating Virtues Warm virtues that needs to be tempered by virtues of self control It makes us want to do things but must be tempered by skepticism and control. Aristotle and Plato There is always a self-control component in any virtue. A virtuous person is not moved by compassion and generosity but logically and intelligently, by thinking things through. Motivating Virtues are not virtues. Virtues of Self-Control are not separate from Motivating Virtues. The Unity of the Virtues - There is ultimately one virtue, WISDOM. (Plato) o At the bottom, all the virtues are the same thing. (Plato) - A person who has one virtue has them all. (Aristotle) Master Virtue (Plato) - A superior virtue (JUSTICE) that holds the others together o The just person has all of the "parts of the soul" in good order. - The other virtues express the good condition of each part of the soul. o Wisdom: Intelligence is in control o Courage: Spirit is strong and enabled to face adversity o Temperance: Passions are moderated Counterargument: - It seems contrary to experience to hold that... o All moral goodness comes in an all-or-nothing package. o Virtues are "have it or not" propositions. - No one is entirely devoid of virtues, virtues come in degrees. Vices In moral theory, it is anything wrong, evil or a sin. The "deadly sins" are those considered the worst and the origin of all the others. The 7 deadly (capitalis - head) sins of theology: 1. Is incomplete and lacks an evident principle from which the list was generated. 2. Seems more like personal failings rather than moral faults. 3. Amounts only to a lack of self-control. Pride It is a SIN (Theology) It is a VIRTUE (Aristotle) It is the most difficult passion to subdue. (Benjamin Franklin) -There is always an endless struggle against pride.

Saints, Heroes & Supererogation 2 Methods for Conferring Sainthood 1. Someone who has high scores for each virtue. 2. A Saint is someone who is much more moral than most people. 2 Ways to Determine Saintliness a. Determine how much more virtuous than the average person a saint should be. b. Based on a person's standing in the population. Note: The first method makes saintliness attainable for everyone. The second method is if saintliness is not desirable for everyone. 2 Kinds of Saintliness

Ordinary Saints People who have the standard virtues to a large degree. Attain high levels of morality by living their normal lives decently. 2. Heroic Saints People whose lives are dedicated to something, either moral perfection or a heroic goal. 3 Morally Commendable Acts 1. Ordinary Duties There are a set of standards of what is expected of everybody. A Morally Commendable Act that: o You are required to do o Earns you no special praise o Earns you condemnation or rebuke if you fail to do it 2. Supererogation Acts that are aspirations and ideals, above and beyond the call of duty. Acts that are morally commendable that: o You are not required to do o Earns you special praise o Earns you no condemnation or rebuke if you fail to do it Require physical courage 3. Heroic Duties When heroics are called for, rising to the occasion is morally required. Acts that are morally commendable that: o You are required to do o Earns you special praise o Earns you condemnation or rebuke if you fail to do it Require moral courage but there is not physical danger Assessed on the dimension called stringency. 2 Reasons for failure: fear and indifference. The Moral Character of Men and Women Men: Morality of Principle Believe in PRINCIPLES. Relate with each other through impersonal rules. Morality consists in ABIDING BY RULES that applies to everyone. Men have OBJECTIVITY and JUDGEMENT in their morality. It is MERIT-BASED They are competitive and "tough." Women: Morality Based on Relationships Based on the cultivation of personal relationships, sharing and caring for others. Operate in a world of friends, neighbors and family. Morality consists of ABIDING BY RULES of the heart. Women have SUBJECTIVITY and EMPHATHY in their morality. It is NURTURING They value cooperation, compromise and are "nice" Points raised: 1. Are there gender-based differences in morality? Gender-based differences in morality are generalizations that contain some interesting truths. 2. How do we account for them? The gender-based differences in morality could be a product of "biological and genetic predisposition shaped by social conditioning." 3. Is women's morality better than men for women? Unclear between two separate definition of women's morality as "women's authentic voice": a. Women's morality is good for women because of gender relativism. b. Women's morality is not good for women but is invented by women. 4. Is women's morality better than men for men? There must be a non-gender standard wherein competing is assessed.

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Three possibilities include: Women's morality is morally superior Neither morality is better for anyone; they are of equal worth and may be chosen by anyone regardless of gender. It would be best to have a blend of each. 5. Is it antifeminist to admit moral differences between men and women? Classical Feminists - NO DIFFERENCES but anatomy New Feminists - WOMEN"S MORALITY plus the moral superiority of women Fear that the differences in morality could imply other gender differences are unfounded. The aim of classical feminism to give women the freedom to do whatever they wanted. o It should not be limiting the actions of women by foisting their own personal tastes and preferences on women as a group but attacking the notion that women have to like and act in certain ways to be defined as a "woman." 6. Does the alleged gender based differences in morality show something obnoxious about modern moral philosophy? Modern Philosophy emphasizes principles and abstract obligations rather than sentiments and concrete human relations. Feminists say that it is sexist because it reflects the male point of view and ignores / undervalues the female point of view. o There is a lack of consideration on recommending women's morality. o The assumption that men's morality is better than women's morality. A counterargument is that it reflects the thought that women and men have the basically the same morality. o Plus, Hume is a "woman's moral philosopher". Community and Autonomy Autonomy - It is examining your beliefs, searching for evidence and changing your mind when better ideas come along. Communitarians 1. Autonomy depends on false and unwholesome opposition between person and community. 2. Values and moral standard are rooted in communities, created by society. 3. Communities are based on affective ties. 4. Mistrusts the autonomous individual because they are the ultimate skeptic and subjectivist. Liberalism - "Liberal Individualism" 1. Holds that individual rights and liberties are prior to society. 2. Believes that the choice of values through autonomous reflection is more important than acceptance of the community's values. Communitarians on Liberalism: 1. Basis of the false goal of autonomy. 2. Overvalues "individuality" at the expense of social cohesion. 3. Responsible for the bulk of society's problems (culturally dominant philosophy). 4. Causes people to be self-centered, irresponsible and hedonistic. Autonomy is not Possible (Communitarians) - Values are based on community and affective ties, not logic. Counterpoints 1. Basic moral principles cannot be proved by logic or derived from some foundation outside of morality. a. It does not follow that if values are not founded in logic that they cannot be improved by logic. b. It also does not follow that logic has no part in the formation of our values. 2. Nothing really prevents you from rejecting the values of your culture. 3. Autonomy might be one of the values of your culture. The Autonomous Person believes that: 1. It is important to apply logic to our values. 2. There is a limit to logic in morality. Autonomy is not Desirable (Communitarians) - It is a good thing (bad thing) to depend on your society (yourself) for your values. Counterpoints: 1. Depending your values from society depends on the society's values. 2. Lack of differentiation between community values and values of the community. 3. Lack of differentiation between intrinsic and instrumental values. 4. Preference for everything to be conducted in public politics.