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Then later versions developed fuller accounts of virtue ethics theories. Most of these are inspired by Aristotle, although some others are from Plato, Aquinas, and similar philosophers.
More modern philosophers such as Elisabeth Anscombe, Bernard Williams and Alistair MacIntyre have all raised objections to the virtue ethics theory. These three writers have all, in their own way, argued for a radical change in the way we think about morality.
Whether they call for a change of emphasis from obligation, a return to a broad understanding of ethics, or a unifying tradition of practices that generate virtues, their dissatisfaction with the state of modern moral philosophy lay the foundation for change.
Virtue ethics is concerned with the good life and what kinds of person one should be. How should one live? What kind of person should everyone become? The first question is only about a specific dilemma, but the second one concerns an entire life time. Virtue ethics answers by saying that one should live virtuously or have a virtuous character.
Socrates would probably say that learning...
He did temper this statement with his statement of "recollection" which can be define as "the only escape...is to acknowledge that we already know what we need to know." (Plato 1983)
Following this philosophy, it would have to be concluded that since we already know what it is that we need to know, then Socrates probably believes that virtue cannot be learned, and certainly, cannot be taught, to which many famous philosophers, including Plato would concur.
Works Cited
Dimas, Panos, (2002) Happiness in the Euthydemus, Phronesis, Vol. 47, Issue 1, pp 1-27
Meno: Socrates (2006), http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plat.+Meno+80e, Accessed February 9, 2007
Plato, (1983) Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo, tr. By G.M.A. Grube
White, James B., (2006) Plato and Socrates: Can Virtue Be Taught?, http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/fragments/platovirtue.html, Accessed February 9, 2007
Works Cited
Dimas, Panos, (2002) Happiness in the Euthydemus, Phronesis, Vol. 47, Issue 1, pp 1-27
Meno: Socrates (2006), http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plat.+Meno+80e, Accessed February 9, 2007
Plato, (1983) Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo, tr. By G.M.A. Grube
White, James B., (2006) Plato and Socrates: Can Virtue Be Taught?, http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/fragments/platovirtue.html, Accessed February 9, 2007
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