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Rationality and the Human Characteristic Way in Hursthouse’s On Virtue Ethics

Shonberg, Jordan D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1429094989

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
In this paper, I first assess whether Rosalind Hursthouse’s evaluation structure is warranted for the evaluation of non-rational social animal good. I argue that when Hursthouse’s concept of “characteristic way” is identified with Michael Thompson’s concept of “natural history”, her evaluation structure is warranted in the context of non-rational social animals. But this warrant does not transfer to the human ethical context. Rationality destroys the determinate link that exists between the four ends and the human characteristic way. If her evaluation structure is to be warranted for the evaluation of human good, then Hursthouse must either be a foundationlist about the normative status of the four ends or eliminate competing conceptions of the human good that are in tension with the unity of the four ends. I show that neo-Aristotelian ethical foundationalism is false in the case of rational animals. Thus, Hursthouse must justify why the four ends “really do constrain” what can pass reflective scrutiny as a possible virtue, despite not ruling out alternative conceptions of the human good. Until she does this, Hursthouse’s evaluation structure is not fit to serve as an objective criterion for the classification of human virtues.
James Petrik , PhD (Committee Chair)
Mark LeBar, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Ishida Yoichi , PhD (Committee Member)
43 p.
Philosophy
Rosalind Hursthouse; Four ends; Ethical naturalism; Rationality; Michael Thompson; John McDowell; Virtue Ethics; Natural goodness

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Shonberg, J. D. (2015). Rationality and the Human Characteristic Way in Hursthouse’s On Virtue Ethics [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1429094989

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Shonberg, Jordan. Rationality and the Human Characteristic Way in Hursthouse’s On Virtue Ethics. 2015. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1429094989.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Shonberg, Jordan. "Rationality and the Human Characteristic Way in Hursthouse’s On Virtue Ethics." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1429094989

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1429094989
987
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.