Feminism and Ethics

Assignment # 13

Read the entire 12th chapter (Virtue Ethics) in the text book, THE ELEMENTS OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY, Rachels, 8th edition or 9th edition—either one works.

View this video: Aristotle and the Good Life:

View this video: Aristotle’s Ethics:

or

Look at this chart:

Consider the list of virtues in the chapter. There are 24 in this list and Rachels attempt to explain, clarify, and define 4 of these in the chapter. Following Rachels’ lead, discuss 4 DIFFERENT virtues. Among other things, try to follow Aristotle’s “mid-point between extremes” reasoning. YOU ARE FREE TO CHOOSE ANY FROM THE LIST EXCEPT THE 4 THAT HE DISCUSSES IN THE CHAPTER: COURAGE, GENEROSITY, HONESTY, LOYALTY. Choose any of the others and define, explain, illustrate with concrete examples, and include Aristotle’s mid-point between extremes reasoning—for each virtue.

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MORE ARISTOTLE (To think about)

Aristotle believed that everything in nature had a purpose (and pretty much only one purpose.) So, for him (and also for the Catholic Church which based much of its doctrine on Aristotle) the purpose of marriage is to produce offspring. Thus he (and the Church) would oppose same-sex marriage because the union could not serve the purpose of marriage. The same holds true for sexual intercourse—nature intended it (according to Aristotle) to produce a baby. Thus the opposition not just to abortion but also to contraception. This position, along with Kant’s absolutes, results in a total prohibition on abortion—remember, for Kant killing is ALWAYS wrong. So, how would an Aristotelian (or Roman Catholic respond to the position that abortion was acceptable in cases of rape or incest?

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