Intro to Ethics – PHIL 20Unit 4
.Graded A+
Unit 4 Challenge 1
Which of the following best defines virtue-based ethics?
Answer: An ethical theory that emphasizes moral character over principles.
A theory of ethics that asserts that actions reveal and reinforce personal characteristics
Choose the true statement about virtue-based ethics.
Answer: Actions are evaluated based on how the action reveals the actor’s character.
Jean lies to her boss about not feeling well so she can stay home and watch her favorite shows.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Impermissible
Laura wears a lot of green because it nicely compliments her red hair.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Neutral
Kevin reads for 30 minutes every afternoon to improve his intellect.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Obligatory
Lucy overheard her parents talking about her beloved Uncle Paul and was shocked to learn that
he had been arrested that day.
“What?” she shouted, betraying her secret listening spot beneath the dining room table. “What?”
Lucy’s mother frowned, but quickly reassured her daughter. “He was protesting the new oil
pipeline outside of town, dear. Typical Paul. He’ll be fine.”
According to virtue-based ethics, Paul’s act of protest is evaluated based on how his action
reveals __________ and is considered permissible because it demonstrates his commitment to
protecting the Earth.
Answer: character
PJ is student-teaching in an elementary school, and her roommate, Maya, is student-teaching at a
different elementary school. At night in their apartment, they both work on lesson plans as well
as their required college coursework. Maya is struggling with aligning standards to her lesson
, plans and asks PJ to help her understand the process. PJ wants to be more successful than Maya,
so she lies and tells her roommate that she does not have time to help her.
According to virtue-based ethics, PJ’s refusal to help her roommate is evaluated based on how
her action reveals character.
The refusal is considered impermissible because it demonstrates the cultivation of a(n)
__________.
Answer: vice
Roger dashed into his burning house to retrieve some objects of sentimental value, and the
doorway collapsed behind him. Firefighters were forced to follow and pull him from the inferno.
Roger’s wife thanked her husband for his courage in entering the burning house, but the fire
chief reprimanded him for putting firefighters in danger. He called Roger’s act reckless and
foolish.
According to virtue-based ethics, Roger’s action is evaluated based on how it reveals character.
It is difficult to determine how the action informs Roger's character.
Therefore, the action has __________ results.
Answer: ambiguous
Which of the following people would be most satisfied with virtue-based ethics?
Answer: Ryan is looking for an ethical system that focuses on what kind of a person he is.
Trent is looking for an ethical system that is about cultivating the best version of himself.
Sadie is looking for an ethical system that focuses on being good, not just on doing good things.
Which of the following critiques represents a challenge to virtue-based ethics?
Answer: It can be unclear how to develop certain virtues.
There isn't a clear list of virtues.
It can be tough to distinguish between feelings and virtues.
Which action, while seemingly good, may reveal a vice rather than a virtue?
Answer: Brian really loves his mother’s cooking and overeats every time she cooks for him.
Maggie wears the same clothes and drives the same car as her sister because she envies her
sister’s lifestyle.
A former candidate for public office is asked about a generous donation he had made to a local
charity.
The candidate stated, “I made that donation when I was running for office last year because, you
know, politicians are supposed to do that sort of thing. But to be honest, I would get that money
back if I could.”
How might a virtue ethicist evaluate the politician’s action in donating the money?
.Graded A+
Unit 4 Challenge 1
Which of the following best defines virtue-based ethics?
Answer: An ethical theory that emphasizes moral character over principles.
A theory of ethics that asserts that actions reveal and reinforce personal characteristics
Choose the true statement about virtue-based ethics.
Answer: Actions are evaluated based on how the action reveals the actor’s character.
Jean lies to her boss about not feeling well so she can stay home and watch her favorite shows.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Impermissible
Laura wears a lot of green because it nicely compliments her red hair.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Neutral
Kevin reads for 30 minutes every afternoon to improve his intellect.
How might a virtue-based ethicist classify this action?
Answer: Obligatory
Lucy overheard her parents talking about her beloved Uncle Paul and was shocked to learn that
he had been arrested that day.
“What?” she shouted, betraying her secret listening spot beneath the dining room table. “What?”
Lucy’s mother frowned, but quickly reassured her daughter. “He was protesting the new oil
pipeline outside of town, dear. Typical Paul. He’ll be fine.”
According to virtue-based ethics, Paul’s act of protest is evaluated based on how his action
reveals __________ and is considered permissible because it demonstrates his commitment to
protecting the Earth.
Answer: character
PJ is student-teaching in an elementary school, and her roommate, Maya, is student-teaching at a
different elementary school. At night in their apartment, they both work on lesson plans as well
as their required college coursework. Maya is struggling with aligning standards to her lesson
, plans and asks PJ to help her understand the process. PJ wants to be more successful than Maya,
so she lies and tells her roommate that she does not have time to help her.
According to virtue-based ethics, PJ’s refusal to help her roommate is evaluated based on how
her action reveals character.
The refusal is considered impermissible because it demonstrates the cultivation of a(n)
__________.
Answer: vice
Roger dashed into his burning house to retrieve some objects of sentimental value, and the
doorway collapsed behind him. Firefighters were forced to follow and pull him from the inferno.
Roger’s wife thanked her husband for his courage in entering the burning house, but the fire
chief reprimanded him for putting firefighters in danger. He called Roger’s act reckless and
foolish.
According to virtue-based ethics, Roger’s action is evaluated based on how it reveals character.
It is difficult to determine how the action informs Roger's character.
Therefore, the action has __________ results.
Answer: ambiguous
Which of the following people would be most satisfied with virtue-based ethics?
Answer: Ryan is looking for an ethical system that focuses on what kind of a person he is.
Trent is looking for an ethical system that is about cultivating the best version of himself.
Sadie is looking for an ethical system that focuses on being good, not just on doing good things.
Which of the following critiques represents a challenge to virtue-based ethics?
Answer: It can be unclear how to develop certain virtues.
There isn't a clear list of virtues.
It can be tough to distinguish between feelings and virtues.
Which action, while seemingly good, may reveal a vice rather than a virtue?
Answer: Brian really loves his mother’s cooking and overeats every time she cooks for him.
Maggie wears the same clothes and drives the same car as her sister because she envies her
sister’s lifestyle.
A former candidate for public office is asked about a generous donation he had made to a local
charity.
The candidate stated, “I made that donation when I was running for office last year because, you
know, politicians are supposed to do that sort of thing. But to be honest, I would get that money
back if I could.”
How might a virtue ethicist evaluate the politician’s action in donating the money?
