Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics - Assignment Example

Moral Theory and Principles al Affiliation Chapter #13: The Ethics of Virtue Aristotles Nichomachean Ethics (his book outlining virtue ethics), the central questions are about what? The main theme of the book is on how humans should live their best. Aristotle perceived the theory of ethics as a distinct field the is offers the central concept of character and what good actions define a life well-lived (Rachels & Rachels, 2012, p. 173). Aristotle also believed that although ethical virtues are complicated rational, emotional, and social skills, one does not require any training in metaphysics and sciences to understand what human good is, but requires to fully appreciate the manner in which all good, such as pleasure, wealth, honor, and virtue among others fit into each other. As a result, humans can only profit from appreciation through proper upbringing and conducts, and great ability to always identify, and follow the best course of action subject to reason. What is a virtue as opposed to a vice A virtue, as defined by Aristotle is a trait of character evident in habitual deeds, that are possessed by any person and are good. Habitual is crucial since it reflects an unalterable character and not one that occurs on occasions (Rachels & Rachels, 2012, p. 177). To effectively uphold virtues humans must uphold the courage to choose between extreme vices, generosity to disburse to assist others, honesty to always tell the truth, and allegiance to friends and family through love and affection and devotion. Conversely, vices are habitual deeds perceived as always wrong when possessed by a person and are always in excess or deficiency of virtues that are always their mean. Chapter #8: The Debate Over Utilitarianism What are the three standard prepositions of utilitarianism theory? First, the judgment of right or wrong deeds is solely through the virtue of associated outcomes and not anything else. Secondly, the outcomes of any deeds are only evaluated subject to the happiness or unhappiness generated. Finally, happiness for each and every person is the same (Rachels & Rachels, 2012, p. 102). How does classical utilitarian theory conceive of happiness? According to classical theory, the happiness of all the parties involved in any right conduct is all that matters and not just the happiness of the party performing the action. This means that actions have to balance between happiness and unhappiness for all. An Example Of Mccloskys Claim His example involves a utilitarian whose visit to an area with racial strife results in an instance of a Negro raping a white woman and is killed by a white mob. The same Negro could bear false witness that the crime was committed by a specific Negro (Rachels & Rachels, 2012, p. 105). An example of flawed aspect of utilitarianism on McClosky However, McClosky argument is criticized for failing to demonstrate the understanding that justice would be attained through lying since riots would stop but an innocent man would be executed. Chapter #9: Are These Absolute Moral Rules? (The Deontological Approach) What is the difference between a hypothetical imperative and categorical imperative? Hypothetical imperative refers to the fact that some actions must be done regardless of anything. Such actions present a concrete necessity of a conceivable action as the only way to some other desired things. Categorical imperative refers to actions that whose necessity is objective despite its relation to another end. This means that categorical imperatives beliefs in reason and ration agents must accept such imperatives. Kant’s formulation of Categorical Imperative in Foundations for the Metaphysics Morals Kant requires that every action must involve a procedure of decision as to whether or not one’s actions will be morally acceptable. This means that one has needs to set apart time to evaluate their decision by asking themselves questions or questioning available alternatives in order to establish the guiding principle that gives the most rational choice, and the rule that one would require others to follow when placed in similar circumstances. Duty To The Categorical Imperative As a social being, I live with people and I expect from them what I do to them. In this case, harmony with others is possible if my actions are guided by rules that I would desire others to emulate when relating to me or to others. Conversely, as a human my emotions are affected by what I do to others and what others do to me. Assignment 2B: Questions from Video “Bioethics as a vocation” 1. What is a vocation? What is a calling based upon? A vocation is a calling. A calling can be a career or profession of a way of living 2. How is a vocation also a call to service? What is service and how does it relate to the helping professions? A vocation is based on a person’s desires, available opportunities, or talents and involve assisting others to attain some needs or goals, and attaining self-satisfaction. Service is direct or indirect involvement in assisting others acquire needs or objectives in life. 3. What do the ethical theories of virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism look like in light of Catholic health care identified as a vocation? (You may need to refer to both the video and the Rachels chapters in order to answer this question). Ethics are a crucial part of Catholic healthcare and professionals must follow the guidance offered through bioethics to physicians, researchers, and nurses. For the Catholic health professionals, their call follows deontological ethics such that one’s actions are a duty that could be compatible with natural law. Utilitarianism emphasizes that any calling is of greater utility where the results yield the greatest good and less pain or evil on the parties concerned with the moral deed. Answer the following questions 1. Eudaimonia can mean happiness or human ___well-being___(3:00-4:00 min in the video). 2. Arete can mean virtue or _excellence____ (4:00-5:00 min in the video). 3. Explain Aristotles doctrine of the mean. Use examples from the video if possible. Aristotle’s mean is used to refer to virtue as a source of the extremes of vices. A virtue results from what is right, subject to too much wrong or deficiency of wrongs. For instance, a generous person is not too stingy or too extravagant. 4. Given the answer to the above, virtue ethics has also been called moral_ ethics. What is the primary arena for ethical behavior here? The primary arena of ethical virtues is on the rightness or wrongness of a person’s actions, and offers directions on the qualities and behaviors that are regarded as right. (16:00-17:00min) 5. What are some criticisms of virtue ethics? (20:00 - 22:00 min Action-oriented ethics: i. Lacks motivation aspect ii. Is founded on an inappropriate theological model iii. Does not consider the spiritual aspect of ethics iv. Neglects social context while overemphasizing autonomy Vocabulary list: 1.Benefit: refers to pressing towards an expected improvement or well-being (Panicola, Belde, Slosar, & Repenshek, 2011, p. 12) 2.Consequences: Refers to outcomes (Panicola, Belde, Slosar, & Repenshek, 2011, p. 14) 3.Consequentialist theories: Theories claiming that the consequences of one’s actions offer the only basis on which right or wrong actions are judged (Panicola, Belde, Slosar, & Repenshek, 2011, p. 24). 4.Deontological theories: Theories that emphasize on the association of duty and humanity actions’ morality based on he qualities of the action and not the consequence (Panicola, Belde, Slosar, & Repenshek, 2011, p. 415). 5.Virtue theories: Theories concerned with the role of a person’s character and the virtues adopted by a person to determine what is morally right or wrong (Panicola, Belde, Slosar, & Repenshek, 2011, p. 44). Discussion 2A: Case Study Forum: Health Care Advertising Healthcare facilities must be accountable, protective of patients’ rights, upholding integrity, honesty, caring, commitment, devotion, and truthfulness. The aim of virtues in any healthcare advertisement is to ensure that clients are guaranteed of superior quality and reliable health services. This way, it is possible to cultivate confidence in the services, while the health service providers retain such confidence through commitment, accountability, and devotion to grant each patient unforgettable experience. Virtues lacking in the advertisement include honesty and obligation towards the audience. Advertisements should also be rational, protective of the consumer rights, and true representation of the action facts since this means determines the social relations formed. Discussion 2B: Personal Experience Reflection I would expect a nurse to be a life-saver. This means that I expect to get healed from a disease and to courageously and honestly communicate to me and my family. I expect that the nurse will apply critical elements of the nursing profession to restore my health or improve my well-being, whether working independently or in collaboration with other health providers. It is reasonable to expect healing because the nurse should be compassionate about service to the sick. However, I believe it was not reasonable to expect the nurse to courageously tell me that my health was deteriorating as this would worsen my health condition. Reference Panicola, M., Belde, D., Slosar, J. P., & Repenshek, M. (2011). Health Care Ethics: Theological Foundations, Contemporary Issues, and Controversial Cases. United States of America: Anselm Academic Publishing. Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2012). The elements of moral philosophy. New York: McGraw-Hill. Read More