Virtue Ethics

Study Notes

Virtue ethics is an approach to ethics that focuses on the character of the individual, rather than the actions or consequences of those actions.
It emphasizes the development of virtues, which are moral qualities that enable individuals to live a morally good life.

Virtues: Moral qualities such as honesty, compassion, fairness, and wisdom that enable individuals to act in a morally good way.
Character: The moral character of an individual, which is shaped by their virtues and vices.
Eudaimonia: A Greek concept often translated as "happiness" or "flourishing," which is the ultimate goal of human life.

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: A foundational work in virtue ethics, which argues that virtues are the mean between excess and deficiency.
The Virtue Ethics Cycle: A process of developing virtues through:
1. Moral perception: Recognizing moral situations and opportunities to act virtuously.
2. Moral reasoning: Deliberating about the best course of action.
3. Moral motivation: Being motivated to act virtuously.
4. Moral action: Acting virtuously.

The problem of moral relativism: Virtue ethics may lead to moral relativism, as what is considered virtuous can vary across cultures and societies.
The challenge of moral education: Developing virtues requires moral education and habituation, which can be difficult to achieve.

Business ethics: Virtue ethics can be applied to business ethics, focusing on the development of virtues such as fairness, honesty, and responsibility.
Personal development: Virtue ethics can inform personal development, encouraging individuals to cultivate virtues such as compassion, wisdom, and self-control.

Virtues: Moral qualities like honesty, compassion, fairness, and wisdom that enable individuals to act morally good
Character: Shaped by virtues and vices, defining an individual's moral character
Eudaimonia: A Greek concept translated as "happiness" or "flourishing," which is the ultimate goal of human life

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: A foundational work that argues virtues are the mean between excess and deficiency
The Virtue Ethics Cycle:
- Moral perception: Recognizing moral situations and opportunities to act virtuously
- Moral reasoning: Deliberating about the best course of action
- Moral motivation: Being motivated to act virtuously
- Moral action: Acting virtuously

The problem of moral relativism: Virtue ethics may lead to moral relativism, as what is considered virtuous varies across cultures and societies
The challenge of moral education: Developing virtues requires moral education and habituation, which can be difficult to achieve

Business ethics: Applies virtue ethics to business, focusing on virtues like fairness, honesty, and responsibility
Personal development: Informs personal development, encouraging individuals to cultivate virtues like compassion, wisdom, and self-control