Comparing Fatigue And Macintyre's Virtue Ethics

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Virtue Ethics is a form of normative ethics which focuses on the moral character of an individual, rather than the ethical duties, rules or the consequences of particular actions. Unlike Deontology, which emphasises duty to rules and consequentialism which derives rightness or wrongness from the outcome of a particular action, Virtue Ethics is more concerned with the positive, long-term character development towards the eventual state of Eudaimonia, or 'happiness', which is considered the supreme goal of human life. Eudaimonia is not a natural disposition, it is a state that is desirable by all rational human beings.

Aristotle, the founder of Virtue Ethics, believed that human beings are unique in having a potential they can fulfill by their …show more content…

He suggested that all moral rules have their failings and therefore the only choice we have is between Nietzsche's 'will to power' and Aristotle's virtues. Furthermore, MacIntyre argued that we have inherited a wealth of moral traditions and these have proceeded from a variety of communities. Therefore, we need to establish a moral tradition that advocates a virtuous character, and not lists of normative rules. MacIntyre argues that a virtuous life is when a person belongs to a society or order where there is a consistency of endeavor. One who possesses a life of disorder and uncertainty will not have the capacity to develop a virtuous …show more content…

There are, however, a number of criticisms which are expressed by Louden in "On Some Vices of Virtue Ethics." Firstly, Virtue Ethics fails to adequately or convincingly address the issue of moral dilemmas which arise from applied ethics, such as abortion. Furthermore, Virtue Ethics cannot access actions that occasionally happen by 'virtuous people,' such as Ronald Reagan dancing with Margret Thatcher. Or, in fact, the issue of when not so virtuous people sometimes do very good things, such as Hitler investing in the development of the rocket-engine, which was instrumental in the development of nuclear ballistic missiles which safeguard each of us

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