VIRTUE ETHICS

How Should I Act?

Table of Contents

Introduction3

The Theory that Offers the Most as a Basis for Living a Good Ethical Life4

Virtue Ethics4

Virtue of Courage4

Virtue of Generosity5

Virtue of Temperance6

Virtue of Sociable6

Virtue of Honesty7

Virtue of Magnanimity7

Virtue of Friendship8

Merits and Demerits of Virture Ethics9

Merits of the Theory9

Demerits of the Theory10

Improving the Theory by Incorporating Prominent Features from Other Positions11

Conclusion11

References13

Ethical Theories

Introduction

There are a number of ethical theories that represent a set of principles on human conducts and behaviors in the light of ethics. Ethical theories serve as the foundations for building ones' behavior. It serves as guidance to be obtained for decision making. These theories are the viewpoints of philosophers from which guidance is obtained. Ethics is the basis of all societies and provide guidelines regarding what is good or bad. Ethical principles are based on adopting expected behavior through right actions. The theories make ground for living an ethical life (Solomon, 2001, pp. 210-215). The three main theories under considerations are utilitarianism theory, principle-based ethics and virtue ethics. All of these theories have some guidance for people for understanding and living better and quality life.

Utilitarianism theory is proposed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, which focuses on the rightness or wrongness of an action rather than the motive behind the action. This theory highlights the outcomes or consequences of action. Principle-based theory is proposed by Immanual Kant which is also called Kantian Theory. This theory says that the person should obtain some moral norms and act according to them. In this way, a person is able to examine the situations through the reasoning as if what is morally correct and acceptable (Hannah, 2009, pp. a1-7). On the other hand, the theory virtue of ethics is the creation of Aristotle. According to the theory, every moral virtue is somewhere between the two extreme points (Aristotle, 2012, pp. a1-3) .

The Theory that Offers the Most as a Basis for Living a Good Ethical Life

Virtues are principles and ethical values of kindness, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness and righteousness in personality and behavior that direct an individual towards moral and ethical excellence and keep him away from immorality. In other words, virtues can be defined as a good deed or action which enables a person to do something. A person feels happiness and satisfaction when he acts according to the virtues (Aristotle, 2012, pp. a1-3). It teaches people about the expected behavior and good deeds and how should they adopt the principles of virtue in the society (Pojman, 2005, pp. 320).

Virtue Ethics

According to Aristotle, virtue is a balance point between a deficit and a surplus of an attribute (Crisp, 2000, pp. 115-120). Following are the virtues described by this great philosopher.

Virtue of Courage

Virtue of Generosity

Virtue of Temperance

Virtue of Sociable

Virtue of Honesty

Virtue of Magnanimity

Virtue of Friendship

Virtue of Courage

Courage is a mean between the cowardice and rashness.

Cowardness refers to lack of confidence or courage to face danger and challenging situations. There are many reasons behing the adoption of cowardness in behavior depending on the past situations that ...