The Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

The Strengths and Weaknesses Of Virtue Ethics

The virtue ethicist suggests that this theory avoids the complicated tasks of using a formula to figure out what we should do, by instead focusing on the kinds of persons we sould be. The problem lies in determining how we know what kinds of persons we should be. How are we to determine just what the virtues are? If we don’t know what the virtues are, then telling people to live virtuously would be ignorant. The virtues are whatever character traits enable us to live at the heights of excellence. Aristotle suggests this theory too. However, identifying the "flourishing life" is itself a major task. Also, if we look very closely at the notion of a "flourishing life," we will find that instead of helping us determine what the virtues are, it actually begs the question, since the flourishing life already contains value judgments. By which should live our lives? What kind of person should we be? If we asked the virtue ethicist, he would say to live in accordance with the virtues. If we then ask what the virtues are, we possible would be told that we can determine that by appealing to this notion of a flourishing life--only it turns out that the flourishing life assumes a set of values, a set of standards already. In spite of all these criticisms and problems that can be found, there are also a good number of strengths. Virtue theorists have noticed a couple things about human experience that are well worth observing. In the first place, they have understood the need to distinguish good people from legalists. Just because someone follows rules does not mean he is a good person. Good people act from proper motives and they desire the good life. But theories like utilitarianism tell us next to nothing about how to form these motives and desires. The virtue theorists at least talk about this important subject. Virtue theorists noticed long ago that the world works in an amusing way. When we do good