Preview

Virtue Ethical Theory

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
448 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Virtue Ethical Theory
I believe that virtue ethics is the most plausible ethical theory. It is the only theory that requires us to work better ourselves by cultivating virtues instead of giving a law to follow or because we value the outcomes. In addition, with today’s society being self-centered it is the theory that has the best chances of being accepted. A virtue is defined as the mean between the extremely good and extremely bad and arriving to that just middle take time, dedication, and patience. One does not own a virtue but a virtue defines who one is. Dedicating a lifetime to become better versions of ourselves is what we are already doing and virtue ethics is the theory with the path towards it.
On the other hand the fact that virtue ethic is centered on the individual can be seen as its greatest weakness. Virtue ethics is selfish and has no accountability. Expecting everyone to cultivate the right virtues on their own and act virtuously without any hidden agenda all the time is unrealistic. However, that is the reason why virtue ethics also emphasize the importance of relationships. They give each individual the strength and
…show more content…
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

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    It's argued that virtue ethics is of little use when dealing with practical ethics. Virtue ethics doesn't focus on actions being right or wrong, but on how to be a good person. Virtue ethics raises three questions - who am I?, who do I ought to become?, and lastly, how do I get there? Then there is practical ethics describes situations where an action is needed.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Theories Of Virtue Ethics

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Virtue is the good moral quality that a person possesses. “Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in normative ethics. It may, initially, be identified as the one that accentuates the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach which accentuates obligations or rules (deontology) or that which accentuates the consequences of actions (consequentialism).” [ CITATION Ros12 \l 1033 ].…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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.…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtue ethics are based on what is meant to be good. A person is of good moral character after a lifetime of habits that lead to excellence (Boylan, 2009). Virtue ethics are composed of standards accepted by the community. These standards are defined by the community and therefore can change throughout life. The morality of an action is not that something be done simply because it is right, but because it contributes to the community (Boylan, 2009).…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    "Virtue Ethics is a classification within Normative Ethics that attempts to discover and classify what might be deemed of moral character, and to apply the moral character as a base for one's choices and actions." (Gowdy, 2011).…

    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eth 316 Week One Essay

    • 537 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Virtue theory relates to ethics by defining the character of an individual as upstanding, trustworthy, dependable, honest, or as unreliable, devious, careless, or self-serving. Basically, a person is characterized as “good” or “bad,” or a combination of both. People develop traits throughout life as a reflection of his or her morals. Virtue ethics define a person’s character more so than his or her actions. The downside of this theory is that it does not make allowance for good people who make bad mistake (Garrett, 2005). A teenager may give into peer pressure to steal a car. The teen may have high morals and ethics, but made a foolish decision. Virtue theory defines the teen as a bad person rather than as a good person who did a bad act.…

    • 537 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. What are the key differences between utilitarianism, deontology, natural law ethics, and virtue theory?…

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtue ethics focus on the kind of person each one of us should be. They focus on certain characteristics of a person see how well a person applies them to each situation in their life. The flaw in this ethical thought is there are a lot of contradictory thoughts. If the climbers would have helped the man such virtues as kindness and charity would be exemplified. On the other hand, if mountaineers continue their journey virtues such as courage and determination would…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtue Ethics as discussed by Julia Annas is based around the idea that people do things because they are right, rather than because they have to. The things that people do must be a virtue and not a habit. A habit is “someone’s character or source of action in the agent that bypass a person’s practical reasoning,” and a virtue is a “disproportion to act for reasons” and is built up by making choices and is used for future choices (516, Annas). People are to learn from experiences and society to grow and become a more virtuous person.…

    • 414 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtue Ethics Criticsm

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The biggest criticism of Virtue Ethics is that it doesn't give clear guidance on how to act in specific circumstances. It cannot tell us what the law should be about abortion, euthanasia, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis etc. It gives no clear answer to questions such as 'Is the environment intrinsically valuable?'. The lack of moral rules or a method of addressing dilemmas is the main conceren here, but there is also uncertainty about how you decide on what the virtues are. Many critics say Virtue Ethics simply doesn't do the job of an ethical theory.…

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Where this differs from the rest of ethical theories is, the focus on what we ought to be, not what we ought to do. Virtue ethics also concentrates on the on the individual character and what is good. An example of a virtue is courtesy, or the ability to be respectful and considerate of other people. In virtue ethics, it is the person’s moral good that is determined not the whole society.…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    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).…

    • 186 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    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…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    For centuries, philosophers have argued over a controversial issue of morality. Could a person who makes moral decisions unhappily be as moral as a person who makes them happily? One philosophy on that issue ranges as far back as Plato and Aristotle, this is the concept of virtue-based ethical systems. Pojman writes, “Virtue ethics centers on the heart of the agent-in his or her character.” Virtue ethics seeks to mold the agent into a better person, not only guide their actions.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Virtue ethics

    • 580 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Virtue ethics belongs to the branch of philosophy called ethics. Virtue ethics is also a sub branch of normative ethics and it contrasts with disteleology because normative ethics is more concerned about characteristics of a person rather than the moral duties and laws they must abide, so Natural Moral Law, Kantian ethics and Divine Command are usually dismissed by Virtue Ethics. This ethical theory also contrasts with consequentialism e.g. Utilitarianism which is more focused on results and outcomes. Virtue ethics was first introduces by Plato and was further developed by Aristotle.…

    • 580 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays