Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics is a fundamental approach to normative ethical theory that considers the character as an essential and core aspect to ethical reflection. Virtue Ethics stands in contradiction of the two main ethical philosophies (Utilitarianism and Kantian absolutist ethics) that have prevailed western philosophy in the contemporary period. Virtue Ethics also differs from the previous approach of Natural Law to Christian ethics. The moment of moral choice has been taken by all of the three ethical philosophies (Kant, Utilitarianism and Natural Law) as their starting point. These philosophies entail to evaluate whether a chosen action is:

According to a logical interpreting of nature (the natural law),

Capable of being universalised (Kant), or

Having potential to offer the greatest contentment to the maximum (utilitarianism).

Nevertheless, virtue ethics is different from all of the above three. It is, in fact, considering the virtues that create the good life. When someone is described by us as 'moral' or 'good', we do not usually indicate particular decisions made by him/her (a mistake may be sometimes made by a good person; a rapscallion may, at times, act decently), but to a temperament or inclination- a quality possessed by them as a person. The approach of virtue ethics had been explored by Aristotle; however, from the mid of the twentieth century, its popularity increases once again. Although virtues are acknowledged by other approaches, but these approaches make them secondary for formulation of general rules and principles of moral action. For the pursuance of certain rules or principles, the virtues are thought of as dispositions. On the contrary, virtue ethics makes them vital. For Aristotle, right or wrong cannot be only explained with respect to rules, but instead it can be demonstrated how a virtuous individual can be entrusted to act in the right way in different circumstances, every one of which may be distinctive and, thus, cannot be dealt by means of a rule. It is argued by virtue ethicist that what we act at a time does not morally matter, but what we become over time actually matters. According to the virtue ethicist, our moral purpose is- or should be- the acquirement of a good character. This paper aims to use virtue ethics to examine the case of Laura Moscone & Jack Friendly. The appropriate virtues would also be discussed that should be assumed by the profession in question and, the golden mean procedure will be used to justify that these are the appropriate virtues.

Virtues

The most important question is 'what is a virtue?'. Virtue is defined by Rachels as a trait of character, exhibited in customary act, which is good for a person to hold. Aristotle believed that everything possesses a purpose (ergon) or a function. For instance, to cut is the function of a knife; growing leaves, seeds, and flowers are the function of a geranium; and in general, exercising their capacities well so as to thrive is the function of living things. Since, in a number of reasons, the human soul is distinctive, ...