A Skill Needs to Be Developed What Guides Its Correct Development? Some People Lack Good

A skill – needs to be developed – what guides its correct development? Some people lack good role models, will power, or good moral education.

Cultural relativism means that some things seen as vices at one time, may become virtues at another eg greed, pride and ambition. Jesus’ beatitudes. Courage may be seen as rebellion. Impartiality as disrespect. VE does not say something might be an absolute duty. Dangerous?

Not a clearly defined system of ethics - VE theory does not actually tell us what we have to do to develop virtue – so not very useful as a moral system/ as guidance. Also if two actions are equally valid, does not give guidance as to which to choose eg abortion for life of baby or mother.

It is very practical, concerned with concrete behaviour, and the way human beings function. It does not encourage long reasoning on abstract principles or beliefs unrelated to concrete human behaviour.

Limited practical relevance? in some situations, character-based decision making may not be relevant eg how to allocate NHS budget?

Deontological or teological? Not really deontological, as virtues are not moral absolutes (VE is contextual - golden mean depends on context & situation). Perhaps teleological, in terms of final aim of personal & social flourishing, but only in the long term. In a given situation, does is not obviously result based, or duty based.

Self-centred/ individualistic, or altruistic? The declared focus of VE is the flourishing of the individual… but this does include the way he lives in society, so is in fact “other-regarding” in its effects and so builds community, as well as personal well- being (eg justice, courage, temperance). This proves it works.

A form of Natural Law – VE looks at the things that make human beings flourish, according to their nature as rational, social creatures. This is similar to Aquinas’ Natural Law, & same challenges could apply.

A Personal approach to ethics – no need to refer to heteronomous (extrinsic) principles – guided by your own experience of flourishing, developing those virtues that best accord to your own goals and purposes

More instinctive – feminist thinkers see VE as less patriarchal, stereotypically male rule-bound way of approaching problems

Not suitable for all peoples/ characters. - developing virtue and the golden mean is a matter of long experience, good role models, and good moral education. Also, some people are weaker-willed than others, so it is