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What a virtue ethicist would say according to its core principles of telos, virtue, eudaimonia

Imagine a scenario where there has been a serious crime in a town, and the Sheriff is trying to prevent serious rioting. He knows this rioting will likely bring destruction, injury, and maybe even death. He has no leads; he does not know who committed the crime. However, he can prevent these riots by lying to the town and framing an innocent man. No one will miss the man, who is hated in the town. If he frames and jails this innocent man, convincing people to believe that this man committed the crime, then the town will be placated, and people will not riot.

Respond to one of the following:

Contrast what a virtue ethicist would say according to its core principles of telos, virtue, eudaimonia, and practical wisdom with what a utilitarian would say using its core principles of welfare, impartiality, sum-ranking, and consequences. Use appropriate textual evidence to back up your claim. Which of the ethical theories you discussed do you believe provides the best account of what the morally correct action to take is and why? (USLOs 10.1, 10.2, 10.3)
Contrast what a virtue ethicist would say according to its core principles of telos, virtue, eudaimonia, and practical wisdom with what a Kantian would say according to its core principles of universalizability, duty, impartiality, and reciprocity. Explain how one of these theories supports your answer. Use appropriate textual evidence to back up your claim. Which of the ethical theories you discussed do you believe provides the best account of what the morally correct action to take is and why? (USLOs 10.1, 10.2, 10.3)

Sample Answer

This scenario presents a classic ethical dilemma that pits the well-being of the many against the rights of the individual. Here is a contrast between the perspectives of Virtue Ethics and Utilitarianism, followed by an assessment of which theory provides the best guidance.This scenario presents a classic ethical dilemma that pits the well-being of the many against the rights of the individual. Here is a contrast between the perspectives of Virtue Ethics and Utilitarianism, followed by an assessment of which theory provides the best guidance.

A virtue ethicist would focus not on the outcome of the act, but on what the action says about the Sheriff's character and whether it aligns with the pursuit of Eudaimonia (flourishing).

Telos and Eudaimonia: The ultimate end (Telos) of human life is Eudaimonia. A virtuous life is one that naturally leads to flourishing. Jailing an innocent man, even for a "good" outcome, corrupts the Sheriff's soul and is fundamentally incompatible with the good life.

Virtue: A moral action must be consistent with the moral virtues—traits like justice, honesty, and courage. Framing an innocent man is an act of injustice and dishonesty. As Aristotle argued, "We are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, since otherwise our inquiry would have been of no use." The Sheriff's act violates the virtue of justice; it is the act of a vicious man.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis): Practical Wisdom is the intellectual virtue that guides virtuous action, helping an agent find the "golden mean." A sheriff with practical wisdom would recognize that true justice and true civic peace cannot be built upon a foundation of lies and injustice. The action of framing the man is an expedient lie, not a path chosen by a person of integrity.