He writes: "conduct and character are strictly correlative," they are "morally the same thing, taken first as effect and then as [the] casual and productive factor."(6) The acts we choose are a function of the characters we have. Thus it might be argued that Dewey's theory has been mis-classified as consequentialist and ought now to be reclassified as a species of virtue ethic. If this were correct, then replacing Dewey's treatment of the virtues with a Deweyan one would seem all the more questionable.
I think that classification of Dewey's ethics as a kind of virtue theory is problematic for (at least) a couple of reasons. First, he stops short of giving character the sort of explanatory primacy that virtue theorists typically do. Second, he tends to value character traits solely in terms of the activities they give rise to and not also in their possession.
Dewey regularly describes virtues as traits of instrumental value to the promotion of social welfare or good. For example, in the 1st edition of Ethics, he claims: "the habits of character whose effect is to sustain and spread the rational or common good are virtues and the traits of character which have the opposite effect are vices."(7) In Democracty and Education, he says likens study of the virtues to "taking the skeleton for the living body. The bones are certainly important, but their importance lies in the fact that they support other organs of the body in such a way as to make them capable of integrated effective activity."(8) In Human Nature and Conduct, he writes "Virtues are ends because they are such important means. To be honest, courageous, kindly is to be in the way of producing specific natural goods or satisfactory fulfillments."(9) In the revised, 1932 Ethics, he asserts that "virtue resides in fundamental and thoroughgoing interest in approved objects."(10) Reconstruction in Philosophy explains Dewey's identification of virtue with those traits most conducive to achieving the right or the good as a direct outcome of his pragmatic theories of meaning and inquiry:.
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. ...
