Starter quiz
- What is deontology primarily concerned with?
- achieving the greatest good
- acting according to duty and rules ✓
- considering consequences
- adapting to each situation
-
- Kant believed that moral actions should be guided by the ______ imperative, which acts as a universal moral law.
- 'categorical' ✓
- Put the ethical theories below into chronological order according to when they were first developed.
- 1⇔Aristotle (virtue ethics)
- 2⇔Immanuel Kant (deontology)
- 3⇔Jeremy Bentham (utilitarianism)
- 4⇔Joseph Fletcher (situation ethics)
- What does teleology focus on in ethical theory?
- duties and rules
- the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions
- achieving the best outcomes or consequences ✓
- following divine commands
-
- Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism is known for the principle of the greatest ______ for the greatest number.
- 'good' ✓
- Which of the following best describes the guiding principle of situation ethics?
- always adhering strictly to rules
- acting out of a sense of duty regardless of the situation
- making decisions based on love and the specific context ✓
- ensuring the outcome benefits oneself primarily
-
Exit quiz
- What does virtue ethics focus on?
- following strict rules
- the consequences of actions
- the development of moral character ✓
- avoiding suffering
-
- ______ developed virtue ethics as a structured approach after the work of Socrates and Plato.
- 'Aristotle' ✓
- Match these terms in virtue ethics to the correct definitions.
- eudaimonia⇔the state of living well and flourishing ✓
- virtues⇔a good quality that becomes a habit ✓
- vices⇔a bad quality that becomes a habit ✓
- golden mean⇔the virtue that lies between two vices: deficiency & excess extremes ✓
- A virtue is the golden mean, which represents a balance between deficiency and ______.
- 'excess' ✓
- Which of the following is an example of a virtue according to Aristotle?
- greed
- cowardice
- courage ✓
- rashness
-
- Through what are virtues gained, according to Philippa Foot?
- reading philosophical texts
- practical experience ✓
- following strict rules
- avoiding all challenges
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Aristotle's virtue ethics focuses on achieving eudaimonia through the development of moral character.
- A virtue is the golden mean, which means a balance between two extremes of deficiency and excess known as vices.
- Philippa Foot is a modern thinker who emphasises that virtues are gained through practical experience.
- One criticism of virtue ethics is that it does not provide clear guidance in specific situations.
Common misconception
Virtue ethics is just about being nice or kind, so it doesn't require much thought or effort.
Virtue ethics is about developing a well-rounded character through reflection and experience, not just being kind, and requires practising virtues like courage and honesty to achieve flourishing (eudaimonia).
Keywords
Eudaimonia - the state of living well and flourishing
Golden mean - the virtue that lies between two vices, which are the extremes of deficiency and excess
Philippa foot - a British philosopher who developed virtue ethics in the 20th century
Vice - a bad quality that becomes a habit
Virtue - a good quality that becomes a habit
+