What Is 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

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

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