What are Virtue Ethics?
Virtue Ethics is the ethical theory that focuses on the virtues of a person. What a virtue is is simple, it is a trait of character that is manifested in habitual action but that could also be a vice so a commendable trait of character is a virtue. Many people feel that the moral philosophy of modern times is misguided because it sits heavily on the notion of law. This is a problem because there is not a law giver, this is due to the heavy weight of obligation, duty, and rightness in other the other theories of philosophy. This trio is inseparable because of the other theories that rely on these three. So, what virtues are desirable? The virtues necessary for successful living are the desirable virtues but they are different for everyone. This is like comparing a pirate to a teacher or a murderer to a priest. Theories that focus on virtues removes the impartiality towards family while the theories that focus on the right action cannot provide satisfactory accounts of the moral life.
Examples of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics is solely based on the virtues that someone has. Examples would be bravery, cowardice, love, hatred and obedience.
Arguments against it
Virtue Ethics cannot explain everything; the who, the what, the when, the why, or the how all at the same time. Virtue ethics cannot explain why something is a virtue instead of a vice or why too much or too little of something is a vice. Virtue Ethics cannot deal with cases of moral conflict or disagreements.
What we think!
I like Virtue Ethics because it focuses on the traits of character that make good people. I understand why this theory cannot deal with cases of moral conflict, this is because people have conflicting virtues. I like this theory because it recognizes that people are different and that they have different things that make them who they are.
Virtue Ethics is the ethical theory that focuses on the virtues of a person. What a virtue is is simple, it is a trait of character that is manifested in habitual action but that could also be a vice so a commendable trait of character is a virtue. Many people feel that the moral philosophy of modern times is misguided because it sits heavily on the notion of law. This is a problem because there is not a law giver, this is due to the heavy weight of obligation, duty, and rightness in other the other theories of philosophy. This trio is inseparable because of the other theories that rely on these three. So, what virtues are desirable? The virtues necessary for successful living are the desirable virtues but they are different for everyone. This is like comparing a pirate to a teacher or a murderer to a priest. Theories that focus on virtues removes the impartiality towards family while the theories that focus on the right action cannot provide satisfactory accounts of the moral life.
Examples of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics is solely based on the virtues that someone has. Examples would be bravery, cowardice, love, hatred and obedience.
Arguments against it
Virtue Ethics cannot explain everything; the who, the what, the when, the why, or the how all at the same time. Virtue ethics cannot explain why something is a virtue instead of a vice or why too much or too little of something is a vice. Virtue Ethics cannot deal with cases of moral conflict or disagreements.
What we think!
I like Virtue Ethics because it focuses on the traits of character that make good people. I understand why this theory cannot deal with cases of moral conflict, this is because people have conflicting virtues. I like this theory because it recognizes that people are different and that they have different things that make them who they are.