evaluation

• strengths of VE:

  • focus on character development over time - allows room for mistakes which is realistic
  • centred around the person rather than rules
  • doctrine of the mean - considers different people + circumstances
  • focus on imitation of virtuous people + practice rather than complex intellectual thinking
  • teleological focus of eudaimonia
  • modern interpretations - Hursthouse + Scruton; offer clarity on modern issues, especially involving animals
• weaknesses of VE:

  • virtues vary throughout cultures + time - which set of virtues is right?
  • hierarchy of souls - full focus on humans due to rational soul so ignores animals; makes it outdated to modern moral standards
  • lack of clarity - lack of strict rules can lead to harm if people refuse to act virtuously; we need clear moral rules to know the consequences of bad actions
  • modern interpretations can conflict - Hurtshouse + Scruton opposing views on blood sports; shows how VE can struggle to give a clear outcome