Virtue ethics vs social contract theory pdf

Feminist approaches to virtue ethics draw on and also criticize assumptions, concepts, methods, values, and theories of traditional virtue ethics, thus expanding the resources of feminist ethics for. Each person should have a meaningful opportunity to attain employment, education and positions of power 2b the difference principle. Formalism is still a fresh source for business ethics. The social contract jeanjacques rousseau glossary agreement. Start studying social contract theory ethics hobbes. Virtue ethics is primarily concerned with traits of character that are essential to human flourishing, not with the enumeration of duties. The item that rousseau calls a convention is an event, whereas what we call conventions setting aside the irrelevant convention professional gettogether are not events but enduring states of affairs like the conventions. Social contract i am assigned a paper in exploring ethics in which i must find 2 separate shows that reflect 2 separate theories. The social license to operate and social contract theory skemman. It may, initially, be identified as the one that emphasizes the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach that emphasizes duties or rules deontology or that emphasizes the consequences of actions consequentialism. Feminist approaches to virtue ethics oxford handbooks.

Kimmel and jill gabrielle klein the authors wish to thank george brenkert, daniel goldstein, kent grayson, gita johar, john lynch, david. Ethics can be based on social contracts hobbes, religion euthyphro, happiness john stuart mill, personal values protagoras and countless other subjects. Furthermore, the characterbuilding inherent in the practice of virtue ethics takes a proactive and preventive approach to moralethical breaches. What is the difference between ethics and social contract. Contractarians often present a scenario in which no moral or political principles have been accepted yet, and we need to find some of those principles. Instead of looking at good and bad as something impersonal that we need to recognize via reason or a moral sense, virtue theory sees good and bad as a quality of the person him or herself. This pdf version matches the latest version of this entry. Social contract theory thomas hobbes state of nature we implicitly accept a social contract establishment of moral rules to govern relations among citizens government capable of enforcing these rules jeanjacques rousseau in ideal society, no one above rules that prevents society from enacting bad rules 15881679. Here, we take a brief look at 1 utilitarianism, 2 deontology, 3 social justice and social contract theory, and 4 virtue theory. Game theory and ethics stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. It is a way of thinking about ethics that is characteristic of ancient greek and roman philosophers, particularly socrates, plato, and aristotle but it has become popular again since the later part of the 20th century due to the work of thinkers like elizabeth anscombe, philippa foot, and alasdair. There should be social and economic equality, unless inequality benefits everyone, especially those in the worstoff group. Social contracts reflect societal expectations from businesses, especially in the social aspect.

Proposed by thomas hobbes, expanded by jeanjacques rousseau. Consequentialist theories, unlike virtue and deontological theories, hold that only the consequences, or outcomes, of actions matter morally. Through the ages, there have emerged multiple common moral theories and traditions. In deciding on the values of the social contract, one places oneself behind a veil of ignorance. It is the quest to understand and live a life of moral character. Consequentialism the results matter, not the actions themselves. Virtue ethicists discuss the nature and definition of virtues and other related problems that focus on the consequences of action. For example, under utilitarianism the goal is to take whatever action maximizes happiness, regardless of the motivations or nature. Ethics four branches 3 metaethics the study of ethical terms, statements and judgements. Aristotle is not a big fan of what we might call the social contract theory of government. According to the theory of contractarianism, the moral and political principles we should follow are those we would accept in a hypothetical contract. Feminist ethics addresses the subordination in society of women and womens interests to men and mens interests and the devaluation or exclusion in moral philosophy of womens perspectives. In considering the relationships, emotional sensitivities, and motivations that are unique to human society it provides a fuller ethical analysis and encourages more flexible and creative solutions than principlism or. Social contract theory and the ethics of deception in.

There has been dissatisfaction with the way many modern moral theories emphasize moral obligation and law at the expense, some argue, of the individual slote, 1997, p. This characterbased approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through practice. Whereas consequentialists will define virtues as traits that yield good consequences and deontologists will define them as traits possessed by those who reliably fulfil their duties, virtue ethicists will resist the attempt to define virtues in terms of some other concept that is taken to be more fundamental. Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by aristotle and other ancient greeks. Four design criteria for any future contractarian theory of. Virtue ethics other forms of ethics the ethics of immanuel kant elementary jurisprudence relation to standards and guidelines. It addresses the meaning of ethical terms such as right, duty, obligation, justification, morality, responsibility.

Virtue theory states morality comes from an individuals character, not from rules or laws. Aristotles virtue ethics provide sof personnel flexibility in moralethical decision making in ways that deontological duty or rulebased ethical systems do not. Virtue theory and applied ethics article pdf available in south african journal of philosophy 212 december 2005 with 8,735 reads how we measure reads. Virtue ethics resonates with my experience of life in which the nature of our character is of fundamental importance. Contract theory proposes thinking about ethics in terms of agreements between people. The two principles of justice which we shall discuss may be formulated as follows. Feminist approaches to virtue ethics draw on and also criticize assumptions, concepts, methods, values, and theories of traditional virtue ethics, thus expanding the resources of feminist ethics for addressing problems in society and philosophy and making virtue ethics more responsive to the lived realities of most human beings. There is one more branch of moral realism to talk about. One persons virtue may be another persons vice and a vice in one set of circumstances may be a virtue in another. Which do you consider a more preferable state of affairs. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Ethical principles that tell us what action to take do not take into account the nature of the moral agent. Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories. Ethics four branches 4 applied ethics applied ethics is a part of normative ethics that focus on particular fields the philosophical examination, from a moral standpoint, of particular issues in private and public life that are matters of moral judgment brenda almond.

There has been a modern revival of interest in virtue ethics as a plausible moral theory. International journal of social science and humanity, vol. Social contract theory social contract theory says that people live together in society in accordance with an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior. Virtue ethics in action introduction my plan is to begin by explaining virtue ethics in rather general terms, showing how its different from the two other main traditions in ethics. Some people believe that if we live according to a social contract, we can live morally by our own choice and not because a divine being requires it. Game theory is the systematic study of interdependent rational choice.

Sep 19, 2018 another problem with virtuebased ethical systems is the question of what the right sort of character is. Social contract theory and the ethics of deception in consumer research by n. We shall concentrate on the influence and use of game theory in ethics and those parts of political theory involving norms or principles of justice, ignoring questions about political and legal institutions on the one hand and questions about issues dealing with moral virtues on the other. The necessary functions of social order and existence require certain moral virtues. The social role of science analytical vs holistic science. To view the pdf, you must log in or become a member. This is largely because he is interested in what is enduringly natural, but the social contract is merely a matter of changing convention. Virtue ethics is a framework that focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than the rightness of an action.

We will cover each one briefly below with explanations and how they differ from other moral theories. Virtue ethics describes a certain philosophical approach to questions about morality. Aristotle contra the social contract theory societas. Decisions choosing between two or more options, based on. Critics of virtue ethics have argued that its focus on character rather than action, as well as its rejection of universal rules of right action renders virtue ethics unable to shed much light on the question of what ought and ought not to be done in specific situations. Social contract theory on the criminal justice system and private security philosophy foundations of ethics in justice and security social contract theory on the criminal justice system and private security prior to the social contract theory, there was no government body providing laws, order, and protection. Pdf social contract theory by hobbes, locke and rousseau. By practicing being honest, brave, just, generous, and so on, a person develops an honorable and moral character. We are leaving out some important perspectives, such as general theories of justice and rights and feminist thought about ethics and patriarchy. Analysis of the language, concepts and methods of resoning in ethics. Virtue ethics and its potential as the leading moral theory. A social contract is a mutual agreement between two parties. This is largely because he is interested in what is enduringly natural, but the social contract is merely a matter of changing convention for aristotle, the social contractarian understanding of the city polis consists of two things. How to construct a just society taking into consideration lifes inequities.

Tom donaldson and tom dunfee, towards a unified conception of business ethics. Consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics are moral theories that evaluate morality on the basis of different factors. Index termsmoral relativism, social structure, virtue theory. Doing the right thing means abiding by the agreements that the members of a rational society would choose. This common liberty is an upshot of the nature of man. Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in normative ethics. So this expansion of ethics to include questions about flourishing takes moral theory away from its proper concern.

Actionbased theory we should act properly by following moral rules. Virtue ethics and social psychology another feature of the common sense ps ychology of virtue is the observations that people differ in terms of the possession of virtuous character traits. Morality, though, is all about how we treat other people. Ethics refers to societys idea of what is right and wrong and we do it because society says it is the right thing to do social contract is the idea that any given society has a set of conventions and tradeoffs which it demands or requires, in order for participation in it to be possible and for the society to continue to exist. Social contract theory ethics hobbes flashcards quizlet.

You can also read more about the friends of the sep society. Virtue ethics by itself cant really answer any particular moral dilemma. The field of ethics or moral philosophy involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. Pdf contractbased approaches have been a focus of attention in business ethics. Virtuebased theory we should acquire good character traits, not simply act according to moral rules. Pdf exploring the relationship between virtue ethics and moral. Act utilitarianism au is the moral theory that holds that the morally right action, the act. The right thing follow the rules rational, selfinterested would. A virtue ethics approach to moral dilemmas in medicine. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. People who live in a society implicitly agree to a social contract, consisting of.

Another problem with virtuebased ethical systems is the question of what the right sort of character is. Contractarians often present a scenario in which no moral or political principles have been accepted yet. For the purposes of law enforcement, the major foundation in virtue ethics is the idea that if you are a good person, you will do good things, and to be good, you must do good pollock, 2007. Philosophers today usually divide ethical theories into three general subject areas.

Virtue ethics, approach to ethics that takes the notion of virtue often conceived as excellence as fundamental. A quick explanation of virtue, virtue ethics, and how it differs from deontology and consequentialism. So for contract theorists, ethics isnt necessarily about character, consequences, or principles. Jan 07, 2018 a quick explanation of virtue, virtue ethics, and how it differs from deontology and consequentialism. The right of the strongest voluntarily, and the family itself is then maintained only by agreement.

Ethical theories consequencebased utilitarian act utilitarianism rule utilitarianism dutybased kantilianism rule deontology act deontology contractbased socialcontract theory rightbased rights characterbased characterethics virtue 3. These include how virtues are acquired, how they are applied in various real. There are some situations where an act is immoral, but is required by the social contract, and situations where an act is moral, but not required by the social contract. Social contract theory says that people live together in society in accordance with an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior.

We are leaving out some important perspectives, such as general theories of. In other words, it is a behavior that shows high moral standards. Then i want to briefly outline the theory of one very prominent contemporary virtue ethicist. Many, if not most, virtue theorists have treated the answer to this question as selfevident, but it is anything but. Oct 19, 2014 ethical theories consequencebased utilitarian act utilitarianism rule utilitarianism dutybased kantilianism rule deontology act deontology contract based social contract theory rightbased rights characterbased character ethics virtue 3.

Societies cannot function efficiently without these core virtues. Moral relativism claims there are no necessary universal moral valuesthis theory is not rationally sustainable as a theory of ethics. It should be distinguished from decision theory, the systematic study of individual practical and epistemic choice in parametric contexts i. The social contract theories in business hold that all businesses are obligated to improve the status of societies. Integrative social contract theory, academy of management. Social contract theory by hobbes, locke and rousseau. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting collective and individual greatness. Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories, and religious ethics a utilitarian argument, in the strict sense, is one what alleges that we ought to do something because it will produce more total happiness than doing anything else would. For the purposes of law enforcement, the major foundation in virtue ethics is the idea that if you are a good person, you will do.