Computer Ethics and Neoplatonic Virtue

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giannis Stamatellos
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Computer Ethics ◽  
Intellectual Autonomy ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Moral Problems ◽  
Ict Industry

In normative ethical theory, computer ethics belongs to the area of applied ethics dealing with practical and everyday moral problems arising from the use of computers and computer networks in the information society. Modern scholarship usually approves deontological and utilitarian ethics as appropriate to computer ethics, while classical theories of ethics, such as virtue ethics, are usually neglected as anachronistic and unsuitable to the information era and ICT industry. During past decades, an Aristotelian form of virtue ethics has been revived in modern philosophical enquiries with serious attempts for application to computer ethics and cyberethics. In this paper, the author argues that current trends and behaviours in online communication require an ethics of self-care found in Plotinus’ self-centred virtue ethics theory. The paper supports the position that Plotinus’ virtue ethics of intellectual autonomy and self-determination is relevant to cyberethics discussions involved in computer education and online communication.

Computer Ethics and Neoplatonic Virtue

2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Giannis Stamatellos
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Computer Ethics ◽  
Intellectual Autonomy ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Moral Problems ◽  
Ict Industry ◽  
Normative Ethical Theory

In normative ethical theory, computer ethics belongs to the area of applied ethics dealing with practical and everyday moral problems arising from the use of computers and computer networks in the information society. Modern scholarship usually approves deontological and utilitarian ethics as appropriate to computer ethics, while classical theories of ethics, such as virtue ethics, are usually neglected as anachronistic and unsuitable to the information era and ICT industry. During past decades, an Aristotelian form of virtue ethics has been revived in modern philosophical enquiries with serious attempts for application to computer ethics and cyberethics. In this paper, the author argues that current trends and behaviours in online communication require an ethics of self-care found in Plotinus’ self-centred virtue ethics theory. The paper supports the position that Plotinus’ virtue ethics of intellectual autonomy and self-determination is relevant to cyberethics discussions involved in computer education and online communication.

Applied Ethics

Philosophy ◽  
2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Søbirk Petersen ◽  
Jesper Ryberg
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Personal Life ◽  
General Criterion ◽  
Moral Problems ◽  
Point Of Departure

Applied ethics is a branch of ethics devoted to the treatment of moral problems, practices, and policies in personal life, professions, technology, and government. In contrast to traditional ethical theory—concerned with purely theoretical problems such as, for example, the development of a general criterion of rightness—applied ethics takes its point of departure in practical normative challenges. Along with general overviews and journals, nine central branches of applied ethics are added, with six to eight references in connection to each branch. It should be noted that these branches constitute only a selection among the plethora of disciplines within applied ethics. Moreover, some overlap is found among the different areas.

Computer Ethics as a Field of Applied Ethics

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-70
Author(s):  
Herman T. Tavani
Keyword(s):  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Computer Ethics

Virtues and Capabilities

2018 ◽  
pp. 586-599
Author(s):  
Steven Torrente ◽  
Harry D. Gould
Keyword(s):  
Political Theory ◽  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Ethical Thought ◽  
Moral Concepts ◽  
International Political Theory ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
Ethical Systems

After a long dormancy in the modern era, virtue-based ethical thought has once again become a subject of serious consideration and debate in the field of philosophy. The normative orientation of most International Political Theory, however, still comes primarily from principles-based (deontological) or outcome-based (consequentialist) ethical systems. Virtue ethics differs from focus deontological and consequentialist ethics by emphasizing character, context, and way of life, rather than rule-governed action. This chapter reviews the emergence of contemporary virtue ethics as a challenge to overly abstract, language-based analysis of moral concepts, and its development into a broad and nuanced ethical theory. It then connects virtue ethics to the capabilities approach to human development, which is similarly focused.

scholarly journals The paradox of imperfect duty in Kant's moral philosophy: A problem in 'applying' ethics'

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-564
Author(s):  
Phillip Richter
Keyword(s):  
Moral Philosophy ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Discourse Ethics ◽  
Kantian Ethics ◽  
Imperfect Duty ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Metaphysics Of Morals

The Applied Ethics debate has not yet sufficiently clarified what application of ethics exactly is. The issue of application is considered to be especially problematic in Kantian ethics or in discourse ethics. This article describes the concept of applying ethics in Kant. In discussing the duty of helping others and the theory of its application in Metaphysics of Morals it is shown that a strict separation of justification and application in ethical theory results in the paradox of imperfect duty. The paradox says that the duty to help others would be fulfilled without ever being fulfilled in action. To overcome the paradox it is necessary to form submaximes of helping, which are not arbitrarily but instructed by a theory of casuistry. This casuistry, if it is considered as a doctrine of application in Kantian ethics, can overcome the paradox of imperfect duty. However, the casuistry can overcome this paradox only if it is understood as a philosophy of prudence, which can be found in Aristotle or Descartes.

Objections to Virtue Ethics

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans Svensson ◽  
Jens Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Suitable Amount ◽  
Common Objection ◽  
Practical Guidance

Over the last few decades, virtue ethics has become established as a third position, next to consequentialism and deontology, in substantive ethical theorizing. Several objections have been raised against virtue ethics, however. This chapter focuses particularly on the objection that virtue ethics fails to provide a plausible criterion of rightness. If that is correct, as the authors are inclined to think it is, then it constitutes a severe blow to virtue ethics, since providing a criterion of rightness is generally regarded as one of the central aims of an ethical theory. One, in the view of the authors, less serious—though almost as common—objection to virtue ethics is that it fails to provide a suitable amount of practical guidance with respect to what should be done in particular situations. The chapter briefly indicates some ways in which virtue ethicists might respond to this objection.

Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Christine Swanton
Keyword(s):  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Thick Concept ◽  
Normative Ethical Theory

The Introduction summarizes the basic tenets of Target Centred Virtue Ethics. It begins with an account of the fundamental concepts of virtue ethics in general and shows that virtue ethics is a family of normative ethical theory with several genera and species. The target-centred version of virtue ethics developed in the book is one species of virtue ethics opposed to the orthodox neo-Aristotelian version in many respects. Central to all forms of virtue ethics is ‘Thick Concept Centralism’, and the ‘Centrality of Virtuousness’, whether the notion of virtuousness is applied to character, actions, rules or motives. The Introduction outlines these theses, and the notion of the targets of virtues, before summarizing the contents of the book, including the metaphysics of Target Centred Virtue Ethics, the nature of Target Centred Virtue Ethics, and broad issues surrounding the application of Target Centred Virtue Ethics.

A Dictionary of Ethics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence Cuneo
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Moral Philosophy ◽  
Ethical Theory ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Normative Ethics ◽  
Key Terms

This authoritative dictionary contains clear, concise definitions of key terms from ethical theory and touches upon a variety of relevant subfields including metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. A Dictionary of Ethics is a valuable reference resource for academics, practitioners, and students of moral philosophy, applied ethics, and public policy. It will also be of interest to readers looking to familiarize themselves with ethical terms and the concepts they express.

The Role of Virtue Ethics in Psychiatric Nursing

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Lützén ◽  
António Barbosa da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Psychiatric Nursing ◽  
Empirical Reality ◽  
Rule Based ◽  
The Relationship

The main purpose of this article is to discuss the place of the ethics of virtues and char acter in nursing and health care in general, and in psychiatric nursing in particular. To attain this goal, the relationship between the ethics of duty (i.e. rule based ethics) and the ethics of virtue and character will be clarified in order to defend our main hypothe sis that these two types of ethics should complement each other, since both are necessary but neither by itself is sufficient for nursing. This means that any applied ethics, as in nursing, should consider the importance of the agent's moral character. To support our arguments, we shall use cases from the empirical reality of psychiatric and mental health care.

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