In this paper, I shall begin to sketch a Deweyan account of the central virtues of character. I call it Deweyan because it draws heavily on discussions of character development in Dewey's educational writings such as Democracy and Education.(1) It is not however Dewey's own theory. And this invites the question - why a Deweyan account of the virtues rather than Dewey's own? The answer is that Dewey's own account as presented in texts such as Ethics(2) and Human Nature and Conduct(3) does not contain the material for developing a robust theory of the virtues as things valuable in their own right distinct from their value as means to other ends. Thus I shall argue that it is a Deweyan rather than Dewey's account of the moral virtues that we need.
In the first part of the paper, I shall critically examine Dewey's few sustained discussions of the virtues in order to explain and defend my rejection of these as the basis for a pragmatic account. In the second part, I shall follow up what I take to be more fruitful suggestions in Dewey's educational writings. On the basis of these, I shall lay the groundwork for a pragmatic view of the virtues central to a flourishing character.
I:.
Because Dewey identifies right action as action that promotes human flourishing, his ethics has usually been classified as consequentialist. Saying exactly what sort of consequentialist Dewey is has been difficult, since his account of human flourishing does not specify any particular state(s) of affairs, internal or external, that would serve as the basis for evaluating human acts, choices, or life plans or as the object of maximizing calculations. For this reason, Dewey's pluralistic welfare consequentialism was rather vaguely grouped with other non-maximizing "consequentialists" such as Aristotle and David Hume.
So long as ethical theories were necessarily either consequentialist or deontological, there was of course little choice.
Virtue, what is virtue? ... Virtue is what leads our actions to be good. ... Throughout their investigation they challenge many things to see if they are virtue or a part of virtue. ... Virtue is the primary factor in achieving the perfect good. ... Reaching these virtues will bring man closer to the perfect good. ...
McIntyre agrees that a virtue approach to ethics is the best action. ... He believed that the maximum virtue was to be obtained by the middle way; to swing too much to either side turned the virtue into a vice, either of excess or of deficiency. Consider the virtue of courage. ... " McIntyre's ideas of internal goods are specific to an activity ie; doing something to make a direct difference to the planet in either a minor or significant way. ... A virtuous approach to climate change on a personal level would involve lifestyle changes. ...
Utilitarianism and Kant's philosophy of principle, duty-based ethics and virtue ethics represent three different interpretations and theories however virtue ethics offers more as a basis for living a good ethical life. ... Providing us with another alternative for ethical reasoning is Aristotle's formulation of 'virtue ethics'. ... It's holistic approach focuses on the ethics of the individual considering aspects of the individual's life and circumstances. ... With its individualistic and holistic approach to ethical reasoning, it is a useful theory as we as huma...
A key theme in virtue ethics is the recognition of moral complexity. ... Another key theme in virtue ethics is moral understanding. ... The last key theme in virtue ethics is moral education. ... This outlines the theme of moral complexity in virtue ethics. ... He describes that intellectual virtue is born from and grown by teaching, whereas moral virtue comes to us a result of habit, that we get the virtues by first exercising them. ...
Virtue Ethics Model Advocates for a virtue ethics model, Jordan and Meara (1995) relied on the personal characteristics and wisdom of the professionals making an ethical decision, instead of the ethical principles involved. ... This approach has not been formulated into a format with specific steps, and, again, cultural analyses or implications have not been included in this model. ... Thus, virtue ethics represents a shift from appraisal of the act to the appraisal of the one acting. ... Freeman (2000) emphasized other virtues, such as self-understanding, openness, honesty, and prudent jud...
Virtue is not a capacity either, because virtue involves choice, not abilities. ... True virtue entails finding a mean or balance between the intellectual and moral aspects of virtue... Perfecting virtue is difficult because virtue is considered as a mean state, sitting between two corresponding vices. ... Without virtue morality is impossible. ... Similarly with virtue and morality. ...
Virtue Ethics Model Advocates for a virtue ethics model, Jordan and Meara (1995) relied on the personal characteristics and wisdom of the professionals making an ethical decision, instead of the ethical principles involved. ... This approach has not been formulated into a format with specific steps, and, again, cultural analyses or implications have not been included in this model. ... Thus, virtue ethics represents a shift from appraisal of the act to the appraisal of the one acting. ... Freeman (2000) emphasized other virtues, such as self-understanding, openness, honesty, and prudent jud...
Despite this, virtue ethics experienced somewhat of a revival. ... This is in sharp contrast to the general attitude among modern virtue theorists such as Macintyre who presents virtue ethics in a relative way. Although it may be overboard to describe all other modern virtue ethicists as moral relativists, Nussbaum makes it clear in that she believes a relativist approach is purely incompatible with Aristotle's virtue theory. ... Through this example, we can see how Slote, similarly to Foot, places motive at the foundation of virtue ethics in what is known as 'warm virtue ethics&#...
Throughout his article "Virtue Ethics", he concentrates upon the concepts of virtue and happiness. ... Both virtue and happiness are related to one another, for happiness is achieved through virtues. ... Virtue and happiness are directly related, for virtues are the way of achieving happiness. ... Aristotle states that the best way to attempt at finding the mean is to avoid the extremes, allowing an individual to approach excellence. Aristotle related virtue and happiness in many ways. ...
