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Lesson 9

We will learn about the virtue approach to ethics and discuss how this approach is similar to and different than previous approaches we’ve studied.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I express an accurate understanding of the central ideas of texts related to ethics?

  • Can I pay attention to and acknowledge others while thoughtfully consider their ideas?

Texts

Core

  • Digital Access
    • “Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38,” Crash Course Philosophy, PBS Digital Studios, YouTube
  • Unit Reader
    • “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, 2015

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss

We will summarize the common good approach to ethics in our Ethical Approach Note-Taking Tool and describe its advantages and disadvantages.

Working in groups, reread “The Common Good Approach” from “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making” and use your Learning Log and any discussion notes from the previous class to complete a row for the common good approach in your Ethical Approach Note-Taking Tool. Work in groups to share questions and reflections from the previous lesson. Remember, your goal is to do the following for each ethical approach:

  1. Name the approach and individuals who have shaped it.

  2. Summarize the approach in two to three sentences.

  3. Describe the advantages of the approach.

  4. Describe the disadvantages of the approach.

Activity 2: View – Discuss

We will learn about the virtue approach through a Crash Course Philosophy video and then answer some guided questions about the key aspects of the virtue approach.

We will now learn about our final approach to ethical decision-making. Watch "Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38" and take notes in your Video Note-Taking Tool. Be prepared to discuss the following questions:

  1. How does the idea of virtue as expressed here relate to our function as rational and social animals?

  2. What is the golden mean?

  3. What is "eudaimonia"? How does it relate to this concept of virtue?

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

Using our Ethical Approach Note-Taking Tools, we will summarize the virtue approach to ethics and describe its advantages and disadvantages as well as the differences between it and the previous approaches we’ve studied.

Now, read The Virtue Approach from “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making.”

In groups, reflect on the virtue approach and discuss the following question:

  1. How is the virtue approach different from previous approaches we’ve studied?

Then, complete a row in your Ethical Approach Note-Taking Tool. Remember, our goal is to do the following for each ethical approach:

  1. Name the approach and individuals who have shaped it.

  2. Summarize the approach in two to three sentences.

  3. Describe the advantages of the approach.

  4. Describe the disadvantages of the approach.