Assingments % - Comparing Virtue Ethics and Contractarianism: Which is the Superior Ethical Theory?

The essay, like all assignments in this course, must be completely authored and edited by the student themselves. By staying enrolled in this course, students agree not to use essay writing services or essay editing services. A failure to abide by these constraints constitutes a violation of academic honesty requirements. Pass/fail assignments that appear to be professionally edited may receive a 0, graded assignments that seem professionally edited may receive a 20% penalty, or the student may be required to submit to an oral examination to prove that they are the author and editor of the submission
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PLEASE PICK ONE OF THE QUESTION HERE BELOW AND WRITE THE ESSAY
1. Critically evaluate a Yoga account of moral standing in contrast to a deontological and consequentialist account. Which is better and why?
2. Compare and contrast how Mackie and Sher deal with the contingency of our moral convictions. Do the considerations that Sher raises support Mackie’s Error Theory, or are epistemological issues logically independent of Mackie’s thesis.
3. Compare and contrast Smith’s and Shafer-Landau’s account of moral realism. Does Smith’s proposal count as a form of moral realism according to Shafer-Landau’s definition? If it does not, is Smith’s proposal a plausible proposal that shows that ethical questions are not philosophical in nature, but rather questions best settled by some social science?
4. Shelly Kagan argues that moral intuitions are not capable of being the foundations for plausible ethical theories. Can one make a case for an ethical theory that does not involve appealing to intuitions? If so, what are the supposed facts and constraints that would help us see the plausibility of the theory? How would Kagan respond to the proposal?
5. Compare and contrast two substantive ethical theories (such as Virtue Theory or Contractarianism): which of the two is better, and why?
6. According to Smith, moral facts are about what we would desire when we are calm, cool and collected. Does being calm, cool and collected yield any substantive moral knowledge that is not known when we are angry or agitated? If so, why? If not, why?
7. On most accounts of Consequentialism, animals have moral standing. Are there any Deontological arguments for the standing of animals that are better than Consequentialist arguments? If so, why? If not,

Comparing Virtue Ethics and Contractarianism: Which is the Superior Ethical Theory?

Ethical theories provide frameworks for assessing moral actions and guiding human conduct. Two prominent approaches—Virtue Ethics and Contractarianism—offer distinct perspectives on morality. Virtue Ethics, rooted in the philosophy of Aristotle, emphasizes moral character and the cultivation of virtues. In contrast, Contractarianism, which finds its origins in thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Rawls, views morality as a social contract derived from rational agreements among individuals. This essay compares these two ethical theories, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses to determine which provides a more robust moral framework.

Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics focuses on the development of moral character rather than merely assessing the morality of individual actions. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics posits that the highest human good, or eudaimonia (flourishing), is achieved through the cultivation of virtues such as courage, temperance, and justice. Unlike deontological or consequentialist theories, which emphasize rules or consequences, Virtue Ethics asserts that moral agents should develop good habits and engage in practical wisdom (phronesis).

Strengths of Virtue Ethics

Emphasis on Moral Character – Unlike rule-based ethical systems, Virtue Ethics fosters personal growth and moral development over time.
Flexibility – This approach accommodates moral complexity by encouraging nuanced judgment rather than strict adherence to universal rules.
Holistic Morality – Instead of evaluating individual acts in isolation, Virtue Ethics considers a person’s character and lifelong moral journey.

Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

Lack of Action-Guidance – Critics argue that Virtue Ethics provides insufficient guidance for making concrete moral decisions in difficult situations.
Cultural Relativism – The definition of virtues can vary across cultures, making moral standards potentially inconsistent.
Subjectivity – Assessing virtue relies on subjective judgment, which can lead to disagreements over what constitutes a virtuous action.

Contractarianism

Contractarianism posits that morality is based on social agreements designed to ensure cooperation and mutual benefit. Rooted in Hobbesian and Rawlsian thought, this theory argues that rational individuals would consent to moral norms under fair conditions. Hobbes, in Leviathan, proposed that in a state of nature, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” necessitating a social contract to maintain order. Rawls expanded this idea by introducing the “original position” and “veil of ignorance,” suggesting that just principles arise from unbiased deliberation.

Strengths of Contractarianism

Objectivity and Justification – Morality is grounded in rational agreements rather than subjective intuitions.
Social Stability – The theory promotes cooperation and fairness, making it highly applicable to societal governance.
Clear Moral Guidance – Contractarian principles provide structured guidelines for determining ethical behavior based on mutual agreements.

Weaknesses of Contractarianism

Exclusion of Non-Contracting Parties – Traditional Contractarianism struggles to account for moral obligations toward individuals incapable of entering agreements, such as infants or non-human animals.
Over-Reliance on Rational Self-Interest – The theory assumes that individuals are primarily motivated by self-interest, potentially neglecting altruistic moral motivations.
Potential for Unjust Contracts – If social conditions are unequal, the contracts formed may perpetuate injustice rather than fairness.

Which Theory is Superior?

Both Virtue Ethics and Contractarianism offer valuable insights, but their effectiveness depends on the context in which they are applied. Virtue Ethics excels in personal moral development and holistic ethical considerations, while Contractarianism provides a clear framework for social cooperation and justice. However, the lack of clear action-guidance in Virtue Ethics limits its practical application, particularly in resolving moral dilemmas.

Contractarianism, with its emphasis on fairness and structured moral reasoning, offers a more objective and widely applicable framework. It addresses moral issues systematically, ensuring that ethical principles are justifiable to all rational individuals. While Virtue Ethics remains crucial for fostering personal moral character, Contractarianism provides a stronger foundation for social ethics and governance. Therefore, Contractarianism is the superior ethical theory when it comes to establishing a fair and practical moral system.