Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
About virtue ethics
VIRTUE ETHICS in daily life
Relation between virtue and happiness
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: About virtue ethics
After reading about four different systems of ethics I have come to the following conclusion that virtue ethics is more convincing and therefore better than the other systems of ethics. In my opinion virtue ethics is the most convincing and promising system of ethics that we have covered thus far. There are several reasons why I think that this system of ethics is the most promising. Much like the material I have read in our textbook has convinced me to believe this I hope to use that same material to convince you of the same thing. One main reason that Virtue Ethics is more convincing and better than the other systems of ethics that we have covered is because it goes further than looking at actions as good or bad. Now before I go any further …show more content…
Their character and virtue is looked at to determine if they are a good person and if their actions are morally right or wrong. What is a virtue in virtue ethics? According to Aristotle, who is seen as one of the founding fathers of Virtue ethics, “A virtue is a stable disposition to act and feel according to some ideal or model of excellence”(136). Aristotle goes further and says that a virtue is “a deeply embedded character trait” (136). Someone who believes in virtue ethics believes that certain virtues are necessary to have a good life and be a good person. They strive to either learn or better use the virtues that they have or are trying to develop. For example, stated in the text is “Virtue ethicist...agree with Aristotle that the cultivation of virtues is not merely a moral requirement-- it is a way (some would say the only way) to ensure human flourishing and the good life” (137). That statement brings me to my next point as to why Virtue ethics is more convincing than the other systems of …show more content…
All the other systems of ethics cover being a morally good person, and upholding certain moral laws and that is it, but virtue ethics covers being a morally good person and achieving what they believe is the purpose of human life. In virtue ethics they even go as far as telling us what we need to do to achieve this good life or finding our eudaimonia, Aristotle stated “ to achieve eudaimonia, human beings must fulfill the function that is natural and distinctive to them; living fully in accordance with reason” (136). No other system of ethics offers us reason and basically a road map to achieving this happiness. Virtue ethics instead of looking at the universal problems it first enables a person to look at themselves, then look at what is needed to be truly happy. If everyone was to achieve this happiness and find and fill “the function that is natural and distinctive to them” then those universal problems wouldn 't be there. People will realize that what
An employee of ABC Company, Luke is in charge with a project of developing new purchased land. The company is planning to build an adult entertainment retail store which confidently lay near where his brother, Owen, lives. If the plans are announced to the public, the property of the surrounding neighborhood will drop significantly. What concerned Luke is that Owen just told him about the offer to sell his house at a decent price compared to the current real estate market. However, Owen is considering if he should wait for a couple year and sell his house later at a higher price as the estate value may increase.
Virtue ethics is an approach that “deemphasizes rules, consequences and particular acts and places the focus on the kind of person who is acting” (Garrett, 2005). A person’s character is the totality of his character traits. Our character traits can be goo...
Louden opens this section with this statement: “… it is commonplace that virtue theorists focus on good and bad agents rather than on right and wrong acts.” This is a good th...
middle of paper ... ... Virtue Theory manages to give peace to those involved with the moral issue, and maintains order within the masses. It does not allow for law breaking as a means of strengthening purpose, and gives the individual the ability to improve their moral virtue, while keeping balance after a situation. Bibliography The "Matters of Life and Death."
According to Aristotle, a virtue is a state that makes something good, and in order for something to be good, it must fulfill its function well. The proper function of a human soul is to reason well. Aristotle says that there are two parts of the soul that correspond to different types of virtues: the appetitive part of the soul involves character virtues, while the rational part involves intellectual virtues. The character virtues allow one to deliberate and find the “golden mean” in a specific situation, while the intellectual virtues allow one to contemplate and seek the truth. A virtuous person is someone who maintains an appropriate balance of these two parts of the soul, which allows them to reason well in different types of situations.
Virtue ethics is a moral theory that was first developed by Aristotle. It suggests that humans are able to train their characters to acquire and exhibit particular virtues. As the individual has trained themselves to develop these virtues, in any given situation they are able to know the right thing to do. If everybody in society is able to do the same and develop these virtues, then a perfect community has been reached. In this essay, I shall argue that Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unsuccessful moral theory. Firstly, I shall analyse Aristotelian virtue ethics. I shall then consider various objections to Aristotle’s theory and evaluate his position by examining possible responses to these criticisms. I shall then conclude, showing why Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unpractical and thus an unsuccessful moral theory in reality.
Hursthouse, R. (2003, July 18). Virtue Ethics. Stanford University. Retrieved March 6, 2014, from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2013/entries/ethics-virtue
Virtue theory is the best ethical theory because it emphasizes the morality of an individual in which their act is upon pure goodness and presents as a model to motivate others. Aristotle was a classical proponent of virtue theory who illustrates the development habitual acts out of moral goodness. Plato renders a brief list of cardinal virtues consisting of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. This ethical theory prominently contradicts and links to other theories that personifies the ideal being. However, virtue theorists differ from their own expression of these qualities yet it sets a tone that reflects on the desire to express kindness toward others.
All the other systems of ethics cover being a morally good person and upholding certain moral laws and that is it, but virtue ethics covers being a morally good person and achieving what they believe is the purpose of human life. In virtue ethics they even go as far as telling us what we need to do to achieve this good life or finding our eudaimonia, Aristotle stated “ to achieve eudaimonia, human beings must fulfill the function that is natural and distinctive to them; living fully in accordance with reason” (136). No other system of ethics offers us reason and basically a road map to achieving this happiness. Virtue ethics instead of looking at the universe problems it first enables a person to look at themselves then look at what is needed to be truly
The virtue ethics approach is a theory that suggests that people are judged via their character, not specific actions. An individual who has developed good character traits (virtues) is judged as a morally good person. An individual who has developed bad character traits (vices) is judged as a morally bad person. Most of us have a mixture or virtues and vices. There are many pros and cons linked to this approach. The pros include
The concept of virtue ethics was first developed by Aristotle in 'nichomachean ethics '. He believed that the point of ethics is to become good, and virtue ethics highlights this well. It is an agent centred idea of morality and focuses on how a person can develop virtues and what sort of person you should be, rather than how you should act in order to be good. An alternative name for it is aretaic ethics, which comes from the Greek arete meaning any kind of excellence.
It has more to do with character and the nature of what it is to be. human, than with the rights and wrongs of our actions. Instead of concentrating on what is the right thing to do, virtue ethics asks how. you can be a better person. Aristotle says that those who do lead a virtuous life, are very happy and have a sense of well-being.
When the theory is compared with the deontological or consequential theories, it is evident that the aim of virtue ethics is not to primarily make identification of universal principles that can only be applied in certain moral situations. On the other hand virtue ethics theories mostly deal with wider questions like, which is the best way to live?" or even "What is the meaning of good life?" and others like "What are some of the regularly considered proper family or social
This theory involves evaluating the individual making the decision rather than the actions or consequences themselves. Aristotle defined “virtue as a character trait that manifests itself in habitual actions.” (Boatright, 2012) This means that you are not considered virtuous because you did the right thing one time, you must be consistent. Virtue character traits include: compassion, courage, courtesy, etc. these traits not only allow for ethical decision making but they also provide happiness to the individual possessing the traits. When a person has virtue as a part of their character their actions will be moral and ethical without having to choose between what they want to do and what they should do – the decision would be the same. Their actions and feelings would coincide with the moral rationale of the virtue theory. Advantages of the virtue theory are instilling good moral character traits into individuals allowing for more ethical decision making based on personal character. Also, the virtue theory promotes happiness through good moral character which encourages people to make ethical business decisions but also ethical personal decisions – leading to a more fulfilling life. A disadvantage is virtue ethics is trying to determine a list of virtues that people should possess, each trait needs to be carefully
1.Virtue ethics is the most important concept I learned in class. I learned that the commitment to being a good and virtuous person is the key to an ethical life. Having this said, in order to have an ethical life I need to dedicate myself to being an excellent person. My virtues will be the face of whom I am. Many of these virtues will come from my early childhood and from home. If one day I will come a manager, I will embrace to have a good character by doing the right things based on my ethical principles rather because following the rules. Having a good character will imply being good in any situation that I will come across, in other words being virtuous all the time. Having a good character matters, this will defined me as a virtuous person, which will lead me to be a better person overall. For example, I will not steal from my coworkers because that’s just something I don’t do, rather than I won’t steal of my coworkers because I could get in trouble.