Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics can be traced back to Aristotle, who considered virtue an end rather than merely the means to some other end. While other approaches to ethics often focus on what people ought to do to achieve their ends, virtue ethics focuses on virtues and how virtuous behaviour can contribute to happiness and fulfillment in life. Virtue ethics stresses the importance of developing good habits that align with one’s values, and understanding that your actions reflect who you are and influence who you will become.

What is Virtue Ethics?

An ethical system in which moral behaviour is based on having a virtuous character. In other words, individuals are good if they have certain virtues (excellent traits) rather than following specific rules or laws. The opposite of virtue ethics is deontology, where morality depends on fulfilling one’s duty to follow the rules or obey laws. Deontologists think that people are good because they do their duty, while virtue ethicists think people are good because of their intrinsic characteristics. Thus, for example, it would be virtuous for a person to give money to charity even though she doesn’t have any legal obligation to do so.

A Brief History of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics (or sometimes Aristotelian ethics) refers to a tradition in ethical theory that relies on character traits, virtues or excellences. It contrasts with deontological ethics (sometimes called duty-based ethics), primarily concerned with obligations, rights and duties, and consequentialist ethics (sometimes called utilitarianism), primarily concerned with outcomes. The ancient Greeks considered a virtue (aretē) central to happiness and human fulfillment. Socrates taught that virtue is knowledge, requiring each person to develop their inherent potentialities as far as possible.

How We’ll Practice Virtue Ethics?

The best way to practice virtue ethics is by taking responsibility for your actions. If you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and try not to repeat it. If you have an opportunity to do something good or bad, be honest with yourself about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. In many ways, practicing virtue ethics is just like practicing any other kind of self-improvement. It takes effort, but you can see real results over time if you keep at it.

How Virtue Ethics Works in Business Contexts

Although virtue ethics was first developed for use in philosophical contexts, it can also help us think about business ethics. Virtues are qualities that are displayed through certain behaviours. For example, if you were to display honesty in your work as a manager, you would be exhibiting honesty as a virtue. And if you were to display integrity when dealing with customers or employees, you would be displaying integrity as a virtue.

Ethical Virtues vs Moral Virtues

Ethical virtues are more specific than moral virtues. Ethical virtues, like honesty, focus on individual actions that align with a particular ethical code. Moral virtues, like kindness or bravery, are broader in scope and encompass many different types of behaviour. For example, someone who is honest might also be kind; however, someone who is kind might not always be honest. This difference between ethical and moral virtues can help us understand why it’s important to consider both when evaluating an individual’s character.

Ethical Virtues can help us make Better Decisions in Life (e.g., in business and personal life)

When we make an ethical decision, we decide based on what is morally right in that situation. Ethical virtues such as integrity, honesty, humility and fairness allow us to do just that. They help us be more consistent with our values, making it easier for others to trust us. An honest individual will not lie or cheat; a fair individual will not take advantage of others; an individual with integrity will stand up for what he believes in even if it’s unpopular.

The Applications of Virtue Ethics in Life

Virtue ethics is one of three main approaches to moral philosophy. The other two are deontology and consequentialism. Within virtue ethics, there are four main virtues. They are wisdom, courage, justice, self-discipline and moderation. These virtues can be applied in life in many different ways. Wisdom is a virtue that helps us make good decisions for ourselves and others. Courage helps us do what we know we should, even when it’s difficult or scary. Justice helps us treat everyone fairly regardless of race, gender or religion.

Criticisms of Virtue Ethics

Some philosophers don’t believe that virtue ethics is as well-rounded as other philosophies. Some critics say that it can be difficult to determine how virtuous a person is, while others point out that individuals often use their virtues to justify selfish behaviour. However, these criticisms are not necessarily unique to virtue ethics; many of them could also be applied to deontology or utilitarianism. For example, some people might claim that you can never know if someone is truly honest because they may have lied about one thing but told the truth about another.