Virtue theory, also known as virtue ethics, focuses more so on the character of a person rather than the rules and consequences of specific acts. What this essentially means is that the primary focus is whether or not the person acting ethically is a person who upholds high morals and virtues, in turn expressing “good character” (Garrett, 2005). Rules, intent, consequences and outcome are not necessarily irrelevant; however, the emphasis of virtue theory is primarily on a person’s character, their virtues, and their expression of good intentions (Garrett, 2005).…
Virtue Ethics- Even though Billy did have too much to drink, that does not excuse him from going home and having sex with a woman he just met while he is in a relationship. While being a close friend to both people, Billy and Suzie, and knowing that I can’t stop him, it is my loyal and moral duty to act in a just and kind way which is to tell Suzie. A Virtue Ethics person would suggest that the right thing to do is look at an angelic person. A truthful friend that that doesn’t lie in order to make the situation temporarily better, a reasonable friend that looks at all aspects of the situation, and a friend with integrity and does the right thing when their friends aren’t present. And since cheating and betrayal is not nice to do to friends and is morally wrong in this sense a Virtuous person would say to tell Suzie the situation, since its…
Virtue Theory plays a significant role of ethics and character in moral viewpoints rather than adhering to independent moral rules and…
Virtue ethics is the view that you should try cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do. Physicians’ continuing education on the latest procedures in order to best serve their patients would be an example of virtue ethics. Virtue ethics is a way to look at someone’s character development over a period of time a project, career or perhaps a lifetime (Boylan, 2009).…
References: Boylan, M. (2009). Basic Ethics (2nd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.…
Virtue ethics judges by the character of a person instead of the action deviate from normal behavior. “…virtue ethics takes the long look at one’s character and is somewhat forgiving of an occasional slipup that is not in consonance with…
The virtue theory deals with the individual, the expectation is to “cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do (Boylan, 2009).” It deals with the character of an individual. Qualities of a virtuous person would be considered an upstanding, trustworthy, dependable, and honest. In contrast an unethical person would be selfish, unreliable, devious, or careless.…
Dr. Barbara Wilson’s view on virtue ethics is that one’s “moral actions are guided by positive inner traits (virtues), which rightly inform and guide a person’s behavior” (131). One should just be a good person and not look for a set of rules to follow in order to be a good person. Dr. Wilson’s “who you are an important as what you do” (132), is a statement I agree with because, one should not do what they think is right for sake of the results of such. Living life just trying to be a good person in addition to the goodness that you do is important because, if someone is just doing good for end results and not the goodness of their heart and soul, there still corruption and evil manifesting. The temptation for evil will find an opportune time. In Trip Barthel’s view on virtue of ethics a reciprocal ethics is tied in. Barthel states, “Virtue by itself, without reciprocal ethics, fails to rise to the level of an ethic” (117). I agree with with this because, when all involved reciprocate a good act just as in mediation when…
Virtue ethics is a theory used to make moral decisions. It does not rely on religion, society or culture; it only depends on the individuals themselves. Aristotle is the main philosopher of Virtue Ethic. Aristotle’s writings have been read more or less continuously since ancient times, and his ethical treatises continue to influence philosophers working today.…
Virtue Ethics as a “different approach to morality” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 124), was distinguished from the other ethical theories as one that “is concerned with those traits of character that make one a good person” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 125). In contrast with the other ethical theories that “are concerned with how we determined what is the right things to do” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 124), “virtue ethics asks how we ought to be” (MacKinnon, 2012, p. 125).…
Taking an ethical view of a situation and understanding the way one handle any circumstance and how the individual treat the circumstances with respect and morality….Virtue Ethics is also known as agent based ethics, its position is that we become good when we cultivate excellence, (virtue) by pursuing the moderate courses between excess and defect. (Basic Ethics, Second Edition, by Michael Boylan).…
It is impossible to truly know the deepest thought and motivation of anyone. Virtue ethics only work is the intentions are pure and the actions are selfless. It is then not possible to identify truly virtuous persons. A great number of people will pretend to be virtuous for many different reasons and this theory will be used as a mean to an end. In addition, relationships do not always blossom and stay happy. The fact that the accountability of virtue ethics is related to them leaves the door open for damaging relationships to hurt the virtues and lead one to fall into one of the extremes. As good as it may appear to be virtue ethics can be deemed to utopic for our…
Virtue Ethics is not focused on the final outcome like Consequentialism, but rather on…
Unlike deontology or utilitarianism which are action-based moral theory, virtue ethics is a character-centric moral theory. Deontology and utilitarianism give absolute rule as to how agent ought to act in any situations - deontology argues that actions should be driven by duty and utilitarians put the maximization of utility above all else. Virtue ethics, due to its focus on the agent rather than the actions, allows for more flexibility as to how an individual ought to act. The main value of virtue ethics is its focus on the aim towards the self-improvement of the agent. Aristotle states that individuals become virtuous by committing virtuous actions - virtue ethics therefore purports to letting individuals improve on themselves. Virtue ethics allows individuals to make decisions based on their own character rather than on clearly defined rules. Unlike utilitarianism, where the actions one ought to do are routinized and almost machinelike, virtue ethics provides a more diverse course of action to…
Virtue is a broad term used in ethics, it identifies with the moral character of a person where some other ethic theories focus on duties and roles or the consequences of an action. Virtue ethics has been broken down into three main theories: eudaimonism, agent-based theories, and the ethics of care. Eudaimonism is based on human flourishing or a person achieving their purpose well. An agent-based theory are based on what other people think are admirable traits in people that are thought to be common-sense intuitions. The third type is ethics of care which came from the feminist thinkers, it challenged the “idea that ethics should focus solely on justice and autonomy; it argues that more feminine traits, such as caring and nurturing, should also be considered” (Athanassoulis, N. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.).…