Ethics and Religious Studies | Theory of Value and Virtue

Ethics & Religious Studies Study Notes: Theory of Value and Virtue

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for the "Theory of Value and Virtue".

This topic might sound a bit formal, but it's actually about something we deal with every single day: figuring out what is good, what is important, and what makes someone a good person. Understanding these ideas will help you make sense of difficult moral questions, both in your exams and in your life. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first, we'll break it all down with simple explanations and real-life examples!

Part 1: The Two Main Types of Value

In ethics, when we talk about "value," we're asking what makes something good or worthwhile. There are two main ways something can be valuable.

Intrinsic Value (The 'Good-in-Itself' Value)

This is the simplest but most important idea. Something has intrinsic value if it is good or valuable just for its own sake. You don't value it as a tool to get something else; its value is built-in.

• Definition: The built-in value of the matter itself.
• Simple way to think about it: It's something you would want even if it led to nothing else. It's an end-goal.

Examples of Intrinsic Value:

• Happiness: We don't want to be happy in order to get something else; we want to be happy just for the sake of being happy!
• Love: The value of love and friendship isn't what it can get you, but the experience of loving and being loved.
• Knowledge: Sometimes, learning something new is satisfying just because you enjoy knowing it.

Memory Aid:

INtrinsic value is value that is INside the thing itself.

Instrumental Value (The 'Tool' Value)

Something has instrumental value if it is valuable as a tool or an instrument to help you get something else (usually something with intrinsic value).

• Definition: Value judged in terms of achieving other ends.
• Simple way to think about it: It's valuable because of what it can DO or GET for you. It's a stepping stone, not the final destination.

Examples of Instrumental Value:

• Money: A pile of banknotes itself isn't valuable. Its value comes from what you can buy with it, like food (for health), a home (for security), or a holiday (for happiness).
• A Hammer: A hammer is only useful if you want to build something or hang a picture. Its value is instrumental to that goal.
• Studying for an exam: Studying has instrumental value because it helps you get a good grade, which helps you get into university, which helps you get a good job.

Memory Aid:

An INstrumental value is like an INstrument or tool.

How They Connect

Sometimes, things can have both types of value! For example, think about your health.

• It has instrumental value because being healthy allows you to work, study, and have fun.
• It could also have intrinsic value because feeling healthy and energetic is a good feeling in and of itself.

Key Takeaway for Part 1:

Instrumental Value is about being a useful tool to achieve a goal. Intrinsic Value is the goal itself.

Part 2: Quality - What Makes a Person Good? (Virtues & Vices)

When we talk about the "quality" of a person in ethics, we're talking about their character traits. Are they kind, honest, and brave? Or are they selfish and dishonest? These qualities are called virtues and vices.

Desirable Qualities (Virtues)

A virtue is a positive character trait or a desirable quality that we admire in people. It's a habit of doing the right thing.

Examples of Virtues:

• Loyalty: Being faithful to your friends, family, or principles. (e.g., Standing by your friend when they are having a hard time.)
• Filial Piety (孝): A key virtue in Chinese culture! It means showing respect, love, and care for your parents and elders. (e.g., Taking care of your parents when they get old.)
• Integrity: Being honest and having strong moral principles. It means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. (e.g., Returning a lost wallet you found.)
• Fairness: Treating people equally and justly. (e.g., A referee in a football match making calls without favouring either team.)
• Honesty: Telling the truth and being straightforward.
• Responsibility: Accepting your duties and being accountable for your actions. (e.g., Admitting you made a mistake and working to fix it.)
• Prudence: Being wise and cautious; thinking about the consequences before you act. (e.g., Saving money for the future instead of spending it all now.)
• Courage: Facing your fears to do what is right. (e.g., Standing up to a bully who is picking on someone else.)

Undesirable Qualities (Vices)

A vice is the opposite of a virtue. It's a negative character trait or a moral failing.

Examples of Vices:

• Lies and Cheating: Being dishonest to get an unfair advantage.
• Selfishness: Caring only about your own needs and wants, without considering others.
• Retaliation: Seeking revenge; trying to harm someone who has harmed you.
• Jealousy: Feeling bitter or resentful of someone else's success or possessions.

Key Takeaway for Part 2:

Virtues are the good qualities that make up a person's character (like honesty and courage). Vices are the bad ones (like selfishness and jealousy).

Part 3: When Good Things Clash (Priority & Conflicts)

This is where ethics gets really practical! In real life, it's not always simple. Sometimes, two different virtues can point in opposite directions, creating a difficult moral problem.

The Problem: Values and Virtues Can Conflict

A conflict of virtues happens when you are in a situation where you can't honour two important values at the same time. To do one thing, you must neglect the other.

Classic Example: Honesty vs. Compassion

• Imagine your friend spent all their savings on a new jacket that you think looks terrible. They excitedly ask you, "Do you like my new jacket?"
• The virtue of honesty would tell you to say, "No, it's not very nice."
• The virtue of compassion (kindness) would tell you to not hurt their feelings and say something nice.
• You can't be 100% honest and 100% compassionate at the same time. This is a conflict!

Priority: Ranking Among Competing Virtues

When virtues conflict, you have to make a choice. Priority is the process of deciding which virtue or value is more important in a specific situation. This ranking helps you make a decision.

Syllabus Example: Loyalty vs. Filial Piety

• Imagine your older brother is a small business owner. You discover that he has been cheating on his taxes to keep the business alive and support your elderly parents.
• The virtue of loyalty to the law and fairness to society says you should report him.
• The virtue of filial piety (and loyalty to family) says you should protect your brother and, by extension, your parents' well-being.
• What do you do? Your decision depends on whether you give priority to loyalty to the law or loyalty to your family in this case.

Did you know?

Philosophers have been arguing about these conflicts for thousands of years! Different ethical theories give different advice. For example, a utilitarian might say to choose the option that creates the most happiness for the most people. A Kantian might say you should always follow a strict moral duty, like always telling the truth. You'll learn more about this in the "Theory of Conduct" chapter!

Key Takeaway for Part 3:

Real-life ethics is often about managing conflicts between good values. Making a moral decision means setting a priority and choosing one virtue over another, and being able to explain why.