What does hursthouse regard as the major criticism of virtue theory. Hursthouse herself wrote on abortion see virtue theory and abortion 1991, and though she may be against talking about the more general cases i. Rosalind hursthouse virtue theory and abortion dead. In his essay, ethical consistency, bernard williams explores moral conflict and its relation to consistency in moral philosophy. Singer suggests that the argument of abortion has missed the point. I begin by outlining virtue ethics in comparison to the two other dominant approaches in normative ethics.
An action is right iff it is in accordance with a moral rule or principle o link between the concepts of right action and. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. It is motivated by hursthouses puzzling claim in her widely anthologized paper virtue ethics and abortion that fetal moral status and by implication its underlying metaphysics are in a way, fundamentally irrelevant to her position. Some critical reflections on abortion and virtue theory. Hursthouse virtue theory and abortion virtue theory and.
In having an abortion in these circumstances, would the agent acting virtuously or viciously or neither. Any notes that are posted up on the screen in lecture will also be posted here, sometime after class. For utilitarianism, there is a link between right action and consequences, and then between. This chapter will expound and critique rosalind hursthouses famous article abortion and virtue theory. Hursthouse s, on virtue ethics, is somewhat of a classic in our time. Hursthouses virtue ethics takes as central the conception of a human be ing who possesses all ethical virtues of character and no vices or defects of characterhumanbeingratherthanpersonbecausetherelevantchar. Hursthouse, rosalind 1991, virtue theory and abortion. Hursthouses book is a modern classic that provides a definitive statement of neoaristotelian naturalism.
Some critical reflections on abortion and virtue theory springerlink. Critical assessment in the excerpt virtue theory and abortion, rosalind hursthouse presents the following argument for the moral acceptance of abortion. Some strengths of the book include a careful elaboration of what means to act as the virtuous person would act in a way that shows how virtue ethics captures much that is plausible in kantian and utilitarian accounts while avoiding their shortcomings, illustrating how virtue ethics can. A virtue is then defined as a character trait a human being needs to flourish or live well hursthouse 1991, p. The sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics, virtuebased ethics, or neoaristotelianism, is becoming better known, and is. Rosalind hursthouse, in her essay virtue theory and abortion, puts forth her theory of virtue by first introducing the mechanics of the theory and then applying it to the particular moral controversy of abortion. Applying virtue ethics in virtues and reasons, festschrift for philippa foot, eds. For utilitarianism, there is a link between right action and. Arational actions in the journal of philosophy, vol. This essay explicates and evaluates the roles that fetal metaphysics and moral status play in rosalind hursthouses abortion ethics. Rosalind hursthouse, who has made notable contributions to this development, here presents a full exposition and defense of her neoaristotelian version of virtue ethics. It is motivated by hursthouse s puzzling claim in her widely anthologized paper virtue ethics and abortion that fetal moral status and by implication its underlying metaphysics are in a way, fundamentally irrelevant to her position. Mar 01, 2015 these are my notes from the reading, rather than a summary.
Besides that, intellectual and philosophical sophistication is not a necessary condition of moral wisdom, and a person can act virtuosly without possessing this knowledge. Virtue ethics does not tell us what we should do from 1. I should point out that, like hursthouse, i am not trying to solve the problem of abortion. He asserts that the debate should focus on if it is wrong to kill an innocent human being instead of arguing whether a fetus is or is not an innocent human being. It was mentioned earlier that the theory of utilitarianism considers an action to be right if the chosen action can provide a person the best consequences that.
An application of an ethics of virtue to the issue of abortion. The introduction to the theory involves an explanation of and then contrast with deontological and utilitarian theories. Despite being widely anthologized, virtue theory and abortion has received little scrutiny in print. Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference. Rosalind hursthouse 1991, virtue theory an abortionvirtue theory can be laid out in a framework that reveals clearly some of the essential similarities and difference between it and some version of deontological and utilitarian theoriesdeontological framework. Rosalind hursthouse general defense of virtue theoryethics application of virtue to the issue of abortion slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Opinion i agree with hursthouse that since pregnancy is unlike any other condition, that viewing it in callous terms is not the way to go about discussing abortion. Rosalind hursthouses justly famous virtue theory and abortion is a touchstone in this field, to which along with her book beginning lives we will need to return at some length in what follows.
Hursthouse, rosalind 1991 the sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics, virtuebased ethics, or neoaristotelianism, is becoming better known, and is now quite widely recognized as at least a possible rival. Relatively brief discussions of this paper which are integrated into analyses of other virtue theorists views of abortion and related issues are found in john hackerwright, 2007, pp. A fertilized egg is a zygote, then an embryo up to 8 weeks, then a fetus. Rosalind hursthouse applying virtue ethics to our treatment. However, let us begin with judith jarvis thomsons seminal paper. The prochoice arguments of when personhood begins are vague and, therefore, cannot provide a concrete moment of when personhood starts. Mary rosalind hursthouse born 10 november 1943 is a britishborn new zealand moral philosopher noted for her work on virtue ethics.
What implications does hursthouse claim that virtue theory has for the abortion debate. Moral dilemmas in contemporary virtue ethics lsu digital commons. After recognizing the many contributions her analysis offers, i. Rosalinda hursthouse virtue theory and abortion critical. She provides clarity of definition for what some consider the most incoherent concepts and components to aristotelian ethics including the virtues themselves, practical. Rosalind hursthouse 1991 virtue theory and abortion. Applies virtue theory to abortion debate concern is the morality, not whether it should be legal or not, and examines womens asking if they would have it. Oct 12, 2019 it is motivated by hursthouses puzzling claim in her widely anthologized paper virtue ethics and abortion that fetal moral status and by. Hursthouses, on virtue ethics, is somewhat of a classic in our time.
These are my notes from the reading, rather than a summary. Hursthouses aim in this essay is to defend virtue ethics against the following objection phrased as an argument. What is the major criticism of virtue ethics that hursthouse identifies. Does virtue theory provide reasonable moral guidance on this issue. It is motivated by hursthouses puzzling claim in her widely anthologized paper virtue ethics and abortion that fetal moral status and by implication its underlying metaphysics are in.
Hursthouse 1991 abortion and virtue theory, philosophy and public affairs 20. It was mentioned earlier that the theory of utilitarianism considers an action to be right if the chosen action can provide a person the best consequences that can make the person happy hursthouse 225. Jul 18, 2012 rosalind hursthouse, virtue ethics in many ways, hursthouses entry in the stanford encyclopedia of phl serves as a summary of the virtuebased approach to ethics. Virtue ethics is perhaps the most important development within late twentiethcentury moral philosophy. I then consider what some important virtue ethicists have said about abortion, especially the work of rosalind hursthouse. Hursthouse, virtue theory and abortion part 2 youtube. Abortion and virtue ethics ust research online university of st. So the primary question for her in any issue is to quote from her book virtue theory and abortion. Rosalinda hursthouse virtue theory and abortion critical assessment. Its important i think that you either read her book in full before moving on to other books, or somehow get the main content of the book from good secondary sources. This essay explicates and evaluates the roles that fetal metaphysics and moral status play in rosalind hursthouse s abortion ethics.
Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. I am illustrating how virtue theory directs one to think about it. With recognition has come criticism, of varying quality. The sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics, virtuebased ethics. Virtue theory, she says based on aristotle, is concerned with human flourishing. Virtue theory says there is no answer to abortion rather there is a variety of popular answers main focuses debated on abortion. Virtue theory and abortion rosalind hursthouse free essays. Hursthouses most substantial contribution to modern virtue ethics is her book on virtue ethicswhich explores its structure as a distinctive actionguiding theory, the relationship between virtue, the emotions and moral motivation, and the place hurthouse the virtues within an overall account of human flourishing. I feel if we could have a discussion of abortion on a mainstream scale it would improve things. May 17, 2020 hursthouses article virtue theory and abortion argues that whereas most discussions of abortion focus on virtu issue of who has rights to make decisions regarding the foetus, a decision made within ones rights could still be callous or cowardly, meaning that it would be ethically problematic and potentially devastating for the person making it, whatever the status of the foetus and. Abortion the discourse on abortion generally is focused on two considerations.
She wants to explore how virtue ethics might direct one to think about abortion in. Rosalind hursthouse virtue theory and abortion the sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics, virtue based ethics, or neoaristotelianism, is becoming better known, and is now quite widely recognized as at least a possible rival to deontological and utilitarian theories. Assessment in the excerpt virtue theory and abortion, rosalind hursthouse presents the following argument for the moral acceptance of abortion. Rosalind hursthouse virtue theory and abortion flashcards. Hursthouses article virtue theory and abortion argues that whereas most discussions of abortion focus on virtu issue of who has rights to make decisions regarding the foetus, a decision made within ones rights could still be callous or cowardly, meaning that it would be ethically problematic and potentially devastating for the person making it, whatever the status of the foetus and. An ethical theory should be able to guide action, to tell us what we ought to do given our particular circumstances. I personally recommend the former approach, though thats more time consuming. Rosalind hursthouse, gavin lawrence, warren quinn, oup, 1995. Jan 25, 2019 hursthouses most substantial contribution to modern virtue ethics is her book on virtue ethicswhich explores its structure as a distinctive actionguiding theory, the relationship between virtue, the emotions and moral motivation, and the place hurthouse the virtues within an overall account of human flourishing. Mary rosalind hursthouse born 10 november is a britishborn new zealand moral philosopher noted for her work on virtue ethics. On the moral and legal status of abortion, mary anne warren. Alasdair macintyre and jeanpaul sartre a course in ethics duration.
Abortion abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy. An application of an ethics of virtue to the issue of abortion janet e. For kantian ethics deontological theory, there is a link between right action and moral rules, and then between moral rules and rationality. Rosali nd hursthouses work on abortion 1987 and 1991 and phil ippa foots paper on euthanasia 1977 are among the few exceptions. The sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics. Rosalind hursthouse, virtue ethics in many ways, hursthouses entry in the stanford encyclopedia of phl serves as a summary of the virtuebased approach to ethics.
Virtue theory and abortion in philosophy and public affairs, vol. Download file to see previous pages i strongly support the idea that abortion is the best option for rebecca. Hursthouse thinks that this framing of the issues can be limited and myopic. It is motivated by hursthouses puzzling claim in her widely anthologized paper virtue ethics and abortion that fetal moral status and by. Virtue theory and abortion essay example topics and well. Hursthouse, virtue theory and abortion 1991 ubc blogs. Smith reproduced with permission much ethical theory has recognized that the very importance of the attempt to live an ethical life lies in the fact that in acting the individual forms herself or himself either for the better or for the worse. My goal here is to consider what contemporary virtue ethics can say about the problem of abortion. In hursthouses piece, she applies virtue ethics with the aid of other ethics to explain the drives behind the concepts of moral status, vegetarianism and experiments on other animals. Rosalind hursthouse virtue theory and abortion the sort of ethical theory derived from aristotle, variously described as virtue ethics, virtuebased ethics, or neoaristotelianism, is becoming better known, and is now quite widely recognized as at least a possible rival to deontological and utilitarian theories. Hursthouse herself wrote on abortion see virtue theory and abortion 1991, and though she may be against talking about the more general cases i so think its important to consider particular cases.
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