Virtue Ethics | EssayIvy.com

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Virtue Ethics

Introduction

Virtue ethics encompasses theories that explain the role of a person's character in moral

philosophy. It rejects the notion of an individual doing their duty or taking action so that better

consequences can be achieved. It instead emphasizes individual character as the main component

of ethical thinking (Adams 21). Different philosophical perceptions put arguments about

people’s virtues. The paper expounds on the neutral stand exhibited by Aristotle in asserting that

people's virtues do not arise from nature, neither do they result from contrary to nature.

Aristotle argued that no absolute moral standards are known. Therefore, any theory

describing ethics has to be partly based on psychological concepts and more of the realities that

occur in daily lives and human nature (Lear 86). The moral values that people display are not by

nature per se neither do they come from other sources that contradict nature. Instead, Aristotle

highlighted that an individual achieves happiness by a virtuous life and developing reason in the

context of theoretical wisdom. In accomplishing this, a person needs enough external goods that

guarantee health, leisure and the ability to engage in virtuous action.

The philosophical view that describes the neutral position regarding the morality of

human beings is that virtuous acts need conscious choice and moral purpose (Annas 74). Certain

aspects of motivation have to come to play for people to show moral acts and human beings have

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individual moral responsibility for their actions. Aristotle asserted that the highest good which

human activity is directed to is happiness (Lear 101). This continuously is the contemplation of

truth. That moral virtue is between the extremes of deficiency and excess, and overall, moral life

is when moderation is done in all things apart from virtue.

The theory of human nature presents practical consequences. People can go ‘natural' or

‘technological' when it comes to parenting, for example. Factual evidence indicates that people

exhibit differences when engaging in various activities as to be that proposed by Hobbes or

Rousseau. Since the two philosophers argued on the aspects of people being naturally wicked or

good respectively, it does not seem accurate to reason that people are on either the extremes. It is

not possible to achieve moral virtue abstractly. It calls for a social environment with ethical

action. Aristotle highlighted that there is a close relation between ethics and politics since

politics is the science responsible for creating a society where people can live the good life and

endeavor to achieve their full potential (Lear 121).

Virtue ethicists describe a distinction between perfect virtue and the strength of will.

Those who are entirely virtuous perform their obligations without struggling against contrary

desires (Adams 33). Conversely, the ‘continent' has exercised some control over a desire or

temptation in doing otherwise. This shows that some people are morally good in their natural

being while others can become virtuous despite their internal conflicts and objections. It is also

not easy to harmonize a person’s emotions with their rational recognition of particular reasons

behind the action.

In conclusion, virtue ethics is a critical concept in ethical thinking, and it can have varied

philosophical opinions. The philosophers have put their arguments based on the human character

and Aristotle, gave a more vivid description, especially regarding moral ethics. The notion that

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people are good generally by nature does not conform well to the observations that are made on

daily lives. Some appear good but internally hold different opinions. The opposite is true.

Therefore, a neutral stand, as expounded by Aristotle, stands a better chance in describing virtue

ethics.

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Works cited

Adams, Robert Merrihew. A theory of virtue: Excellence in being for good. Clarendon Press,

2008.

Annas, Julia. "Virtue ethics." The Oxford handbook of ethical theory. Oxford University Press,

2009.

Lear, Gabriel Richardson. Happy Lives and the Highest Good: An Essay on Aristotle's"

Nicomachean Ethics." Princeton University Press, 2009.

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