Applied Ethics: The Agent
Ethical decisions that develop moral character
This page expands on the general Applied Ethics page which explores how you can utilise the three key branches of normative ethics to give students user-friendly ethical frameworks. Now to take a deep dive into considering the part the person and moral character plays in making ethical decisions.
Applied ethics seeks to apply normative ethics and subsequent frameworks in practical situations.
How does this relate to PPS and the reflective project? The reflective project is about critical thinking to a specific current ethical dilemma in their career-related subject; this is a project about applying ethics. Students need parameters within which to work which is why their understanding of normative ethics must be built up systemmatically and clear in how to apply it in a range of scenarios. The contextualising of the ethical dilemma through a local and/or global examples and consideration of its impact emphasises the unique nature of a specific situation on an ethical dilemma.
What are we talking about when we talk about ethics?
The three branches of ethics are Meta-ethics, Normative ethics and Applied ethics
Meta-ethics
Key question: What is it to be morally right or morally wrong?
Meta-ethics studies the nature of ethical judgments, the definition of ethical terms and different ways ethical arguments can be carried out. It is a step back from whether something is right or wrong; more the nature of right and wrong or good and bad.
Normative ethics
Key question: What does it mean to act ethically? Should ethical behaviour be influenced by what is right for the person; the intention behind the action itself; or what the consequence will be?
Normative ethics ... is all about creating theories and frameworks for ethical behaviour. The attention here is turned away from the moral nature of ethics but more towards how we should act. The 'act' in itself has three moral angles to consider: the agent, the act itself and the consequences; furthermore they are each emphasised respectively in Virtue, deontological and consequentialist ethics.
Applied Ethics
Key question: What are the different ethical courses of action in this situation?
Ethics in focus: Artistotle's Virtue Ethics
Commonly known as agent-centred or teleological ethics; pursues 'eudaimonia' (human flourishing).
Key words: virtues, vices and the Golden Mean; 'You are what you do'; Catholic 'natural moral law'
Key questions: Who am I? Who ought I to be? How do I get there?
In more detail ...
Aristotle's virtue ethics is a moral theory that focuses on the character of a person as the key factor in developing moral behaviour. It emphasizes the importance of developing good habits and cultivating virtue, rather than following a set of specific rules. According to Aristotle, our ultimate goal should be to achieve eudaimonia, or human flourishing.
At its core, Aristotle's virtue ethics is concerned with cultivating the virtue of character. People should focus on developing habits that bring out their best qualities and help them become the best version of themselves possible. These virtues include courage, justice, temperance, generosity, and wisdom. People should also strive to cultivate a combination of the virtues that fits their unique character and life circumstance.
In addition to developing good habits, Aristotle emphasizes the important role of practical reason in achieving eudaimonia. Practical reason involves using our judgement to decide which virtues to cultivate and how to act in a given situation. It requires careful thought and contemplation about the consequences of our actions.
Finally, Aristotle's virtue ethics is based on the idea that morality is relative and subjective, not absolute or universal. Morality changes depending on the context, and our actions should be tailored to fit that context. As Aristotle said, “What is right for one person may be wrong for another.”
Is the learner profile be an agent-centred ethical framework?
What are the strengths and limitations of this framework?
Strengths:
- It encourages ethical behaviour through the cultivation of good character.
- It provides a basis for making decisions in complex situations, as it involves taking into account both general rules and individual circumstances.
- It focuses on the development of the individual, rather than on the external factors such as laws or rewards.
Limitations:
- It is based on the assumption that people are rational and capable of making ethical decisions, which may not be the case for all individuals.
- It does not provide clear answers for ethical dilemmas, which can lead to confusion and difficulty in making decisions.
- It can be difficult to implement in practice, since it involves the cultivation of habits that may take time and effort to develop.
Here are just a few examples of how virtue ethics can be applied in daily life.
Key focus: The idea is that by cultivating the qualities of courage, justice, and temperance, we can strive to be better, more ethical individuals and promote a more just and peaceful world.
1. One example of virtue ethics in practice is the “just warrior” concept. This practice seeks to combine the virtues of courage and justice in a way that emphasizes the importance of protecting innocent lives while wielding the appropriate amount of force and aggression. This concept is often seen in the military, where soldiers are taught to act courageously but use only the amount of force necessary to subdue a threat or achieve a goal.
2. Another example of virtue ethics in practice is the idea of conflict transformation. This practice seeks to use peaceful means to resolve conflicts, such as dialogue and negotiation, rather than resorting to violence. This is based on the virtues of justice and temperance, which emphasize the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to disputes and conflicts.
3. The practice of ethical consumerism is an example of virtue ethics in practice. This practice is based on the virtues of justice and temperance, emphasizing the importance of making ethical decisions when making purchases. This can mean purchasing from companies that use ethical business practices or avoiding products that are produced through exploitative labour.