PHL-212 Introduction to Ethics: Week 6 Discussion Post

Assignment Overview

Students explore virtue ethics in this discussion. The assignment asks you to consider how virtues like courage and compassion shape responses to everyday challenges. You develop skills in applying ancient ideas to current situations.

Instructions

Think about a personal challenge you faced recently, such as a conflict at work or a difficult choice in a relationship. Write an initial post of 300-400 words that covers these points:

1. Identify the key virtues involved in Aristotle’s virtue ethics, such as moderation and justice.
2. Apply those virtues to your chosen challenge and explain the guidance they offer.
3. Discuss potential limitations of virtue ethics in modern contexts and suggest ways to address them.

Submit your post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Respond to at least two classmates by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET, with each response between 150-200 words. Offer thoughtful comments or share related experiences. Follow APA style for citations if needed.

Submission Guidelines

• Use the Brightspace discussion board for all posts.
• Maintain originality and follow the university’s integrity rules.
• Expect a 10% deduction for each day a submission arrives late.

Grading Rubric

The total points available equal 100, broken down in this way:

• Application of Concepts (50 points): Shows clear use of virtue ethics ideas with relevant examples.
• Depth of Reflection (20 points): Includes personal insights and critical evaluation.
• Peer Interactions (20 points): Provides meaningful responses that build on others’ ideas.
• Quality of Expression (10 points): Features strong writing, proper grammar, and correct formatting.

Aristotle emphasized finding a mean between extremes, so in a work conflict, courage helps speak up without aggression. Compassion encourages understanding colleagues’ views, leading to fair resolutions. Virtue ethics sometimes overlooks cultural differences, but adapting virtues to diverse settings strengthens its relevance today.

Recommended References

Aristotle, 2018. Nicomachean ethics. Translated by R. Crisp. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108348218.

Hursthouse, R., 2019. On virtue ethics. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/0199250510.001.0001.

MacIntyre, A., 2022. After virtue: A study in moral theory. University of Notre Dame Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv19m62sh.

Swanton, C., 2021. Target centred virtue ethics. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198861676.001.0001.