Rosalind Hursthouse's Objections To Virtue Theory

For many of years, thousands of philosophers have set out to try to answer one question: what makes an individual moral? Whether it be through certain theories that strive to explain what that person looks like or moral obligations that determine one’s character, they are all trying to answer the same question. As we investigate the overarching topic of ethics, one could find it hard for any one theory or moral code to perfectly define what that person looks like. With that said, during Rosalind Hursthouse’s Virtue Theory and Abortion, she has failed in appropriately answering the main objections of virtue theory, thus, leaving the theory open for further interpretation. Throughout her work, Hursthouse addresses nine of the main arguments which object to the virtue theory. She addresses various objections to virtue theory in attempt to legitimize her stance. However, despite her arguments, she has failed to accomplish the task of answering those objections. Although Hursthouse addresses nine arguments throughout her piece, let us examine the four

To her credit, one cannot formulate strong and sound arguments in favor of virtue theory, especially with today’s society. Society looks for something that is absolute, where they can turn and get the answer of whether it be right or wrong. In many instances, Hursthouse focuses on trying to further explain virtue theory as evidence for her argument. Still, she fails to answer a lot of the key questions about her belief in virtue theory. In a broader sense, if one were to take the logic and foundations of Hursthouse’s argument and apply them in say a courtroom or at a debate, on would find themselves in the same place as Hursthouse is within this article; having failed to appropriately answer the objections to your