Analyzing Preference for Virtue Ethics Theory Essay

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Preference for Virtue Ethics Theory

The virtue Ethics Theory is one of the most pragmatic moral theories as it addresses virtues that mould human character in its attempt to describe the good. The theory suggests that a good life and general well-being results from embracing virtues. It goes further to describe good, holistic life; proposing that it is a life that is lived in harmony with others around. In his view of humans, Aristotle considered people as both social and rational beings. It is evident that humans tend to coexist in groups. Therefore, the theory considers the group as being more important than an individual. The primary virtues encompassed are temperance, justice, courage and practical wisdom. All the virtues work in consonance. Thus, it would not be of much help to have one and not the others. Courage and temperance have a moral inclination. They help us build bravery. Self-control on the other hand, is attained through restraint. Making the right decisions needs some training. We need to learn how to weigh a situation. In the courts of law, judges not only learn on the job, they go through years of rigorous training before they are bestowed with the title: Justice. Wisdom is of higher hierarchy compared to all the other virtues. It is the culmination of learning that takes several years (Virtue Ethics 5). Virtue ethics accommodates general rules that cover imperfect and perfect duties alike according to Emmanuel Kant. The concepts highlighted in Kant's theory are not exactly notions of morality in terms of wrongness and righteousness. They involve notions as vice and virtue or admirable/deplorable (Slote 5). In the ordinary sense, many traits pass as virtues irrespective of the gains they grant (to those who possess or exhibit them). For instance, if one musters the courage to face the reality that they have cancer may cause pain and emotional turmoil for both the sufferer and their family and friends. Virtuous traits tend to be both self-regarding and otherwise; e.g. in virtues such as honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty. Common sense virtue ethics utilizes such constructs to emphasize the importance of the other self-symmetric method towards ethical theory (Slote 8). Virtue ethics presents rare opportunity and resource for moral thinking. Some moral scholars, teachers and writers consider it as a superior acumen to rule theories in professional and other business setups. Some common rule theories this theory contrasts with include utilitarianism, Kantianism and intuitionism (Audi 273). Virtue ethics is different from other normative ethics such as situation ethics and utilitarianism. While the two emphasize on the nuances of whether an act is right or wrong, virtue ethics on the other hand looks at whether the persons doing the acts are good with regard to quality or virtues that they possess. Virtue ethics is inclined towards the virtues that make for good quality of life. This approach was popularised towards the middle of the 20th century although its roots are traced back to the teachings of Aristotle; the philosopher. Virtue ethics is one of the three major methods in normative ethics (Boss 389). It is could be identified initially as the one that places emphasis on the virtues or the moral character. This is in contrast to the method that focuses on rules or duties (deontology), or even the one that focuses on the effect/consequences of actions (consequentialism). What if it is obvious that someone in need must be helped? In the utilitarian perspective, the judgement depends on consequences of helping such a person will enhance well-being to the maximum (Hursthouse para1-4).

THE STRENGTHS OF VIRTUE ETHICS

Virtue ethics desist from applying a formula such as " the greatest good for the greatest number" to guide people on what they ought or ought not to do. It focuses on what people should be. Virtue ethics espouses the importance of distinguishing good people from mere legalists; merely following the rules and obeying the law does not make one a good person. Virtue ethics looks at the importance of encouraging people to aspire to be good. Virtue ethics utilizes education in order to demonstrate that good deeds are self-rewarding. It demonstrates how humans learn and imitate to learn virtues from others around them. Virtue ethics delves to show us how we acquire and develop moral principles throughout our lives. It points out that every moment in life is an opportunity to grow a virtue. We are enabled to integrate many aspects of our lives including the emotional elements and commitments to other people, our social responsibilities and our friends.

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In other words, virtue ethics accommodates our emotional disposition. Virtue ethics is more to do with how people react to ethical dilemmas. It focuses on the wider perspective. Virtue ethics seems to encourage bias in favour of friends and family. This is different from utilitarianism that considers impartiality as a critical element in ethical and moral pursuit. Virtue ethics does not delve in the details of applying a specific formula when caught in ethically confusing situations. Rather, it seeks to teach people to be good persons so that they can act morally when in such situations. The emphasis is on character and not on ethical theories to help us make decisions. In any case, anyone who helps out the poor from their compassionate inclinations is morally superior to the one who does the same merely as a call of duty (Slote 15).

VIRTUES SEEN AS TRAITS OF CHARACTER

Our traits are a general and a rather complex, and at times, controversial characterization of virtues. They are character traits that count for acts that are worthy of praise in the psychology of a person. They are befitting for the pursuit of the particular type of good concerning the fact that it counts as a virtue. If we are to look at justice and generosity, for justice, the good relates to the obligatory or permitted morally. On the other hand, the good is approximately an enhancement of the well-being. Virtues tend to vary along several dimensions. These may be variably rooted or variably dominating in one's behaviour. They may also be variably integrated in with other character traits; with non-virtues included and possibly all virtues. Cognitive and motivational aspects are important. A virtuous person is expected to have their beliefs; for instance, they may develop their beliefs concerning what stands for their attributes. Thus, an ignorant self-description is not necessarily dishonest even when it is untrue. Virtuous people inherently have desires, or other elements of motivation such as intention, that is befitting to the virtues such as fidelity and the yearning to be on your friends' side. Any cross examination of notion of virtue should constitute four elements (Audi 273). Let's explore each of them.

Courage

Courage is manifested in many ways. It can be shown in the event of grave disappointment, or even in speaking out one's views with regard a sensitive matter, or even following a way of life that other people widely view as unconventional. However, in most cases it is viewed as, and manifested in the form of overcoming fears. The fear may take various shapes and types, including pain. It may also be overcoming the fear of death. Death is thought to be of marked importance. The reason has to do with the fact that the battlefield has been a classic reference for demonstrating courage. The benefits of demonstrating such courage come with pubic honour and glory. However, courage is not commonly thought of in this form in the modern times. People now live in a world that places a premium on ordinary private life and tend to abhor public life; including politics. Secondly, people do not favour war in modern day (Virtue Ethics 5).

Temperance

Temperance has to do with self-discipline in relation to the physical desires we harbour. A temperate individual has mastered how to tame his desires and can do so without being obsessed. Analysts of temperance have often concluded that lack of such a virtue means the presence of a vice. They are even more specific and point to the possibility of acquiring or developing vices such as gluttony and laziness (Virtue Ethics 5).

Practical Wisdom

Practical wisdom is all about good judgement. It is not about applying rules, rather it has to do with the ability of analysing a situation and deciding what you should feel about it and thus, how you should react to a situation spontaneously. Such a decision may be called for even in an unfamiliar situation. Practical wisdom has been compared with moral imagination. A good example is the case of doctor who has never had to inform anyone about the demise of a relative. If such a doctor has virtues, he will be impelled to choose the best time to let out the bad news. Anyone with practical wisdom will get it right most of the time. He is devoid of overspecialization but will have great judgement in a range of situations including political matters, assessing the character of others….....

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