Virtue Theory Research Paper

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Virtue Theory is the theory that right actions follow from becoming a moral person, and that by becoming a moral person we will automatically know what is right and wrong. When we know what is truly right or wrong we have flourished as humans, and we have eudemonia. Virtue ethics is one of the main forms of normative ethics, and often called arêtaic ethics (arête- virtue, from Greek). It contrasts deontology, which emphasizes rules and duties. A virtue is an admirable human characteristic such as courage, kindness or forgiveness that distinguishes good people from bad. Socrates sought a single virtue for human life, while Plato identified four central virtues that should be present in the ideal state. Aristotle said that a moral virtue is
He said that virtue was the middle action between two vices. So, for example, modesty would be a virtue as it comes between two extremes or vices; egotism and low self esteem. Another example would be working sensibly. The two vices of working would be overworking and laziness. The middle option would be working sensibly. This, according to Aristotle, is the correct choice of action.

He said we should act in the right way, at the right time, in the right amount towards the right persons for the correct reasons:

"...To experience these emotions [fear, courage, desire, anger, pity, and pleasure] at the right times and on the right occasions and toward the right persons and for the right causes and in the right manner is the mean or the supreme good, which is characteristic of virtue."

So if a person was upset, and another person wanted to help them, it would be correct to ask the person what was wrong because a mild amount of curiosity is between two vices (disregard and prying), and to ask the person at the right time: when the person was able to talk about the problem without getting upset, and only talk to the appropriate people- not spread rumours about the problem. The second person should only get involved for the right reasons too- to help the upset
There is disagreement between philosophers and religions. Aristotle thought pride was a virtue, but Christian virtue theorists think it is a vice. Hume disliked chastity, but Christians view it as a virtue. If one were faced with the situation of choosing abstinence how would one know which philosopher to follow?

The precise nature of each virtue is rarely discussed. Is courage in a bad cause really a virtue? Was it virtuous of the Nazi soldiers to conquer their fear in the Second World War and kill Allied troops to defend the Nazi cause? It is also debatable if honesty is a virtue (for Christians), as that may mean never lying. If a psychotic murderer was chasing after your friend and you could save enough time for him to escape, and not be murdered by lying to the murderer about his whereabouts, would it not be more moral to lie? If we put virtue ethics to use in these moral situations, it seems to have dreadful consequences. Virtue ethics fails to look at