Moral Theory and Virtue Ethics
How is virtue ethics different from the other theories of ethics that you have studied so far?
The other theories of ethics argue that morality results from an act, thus they tend to focus on the impact. This implies that a moral act will bring the highest level of happiness for the highest number of people. In contrast, virtue ethics considers morality as the result of character or identity of a person and not a reflection of the act. It means that some characteristics are virtues. Individuals with these virtues are moral and their actions only reflect their inner morality (MacKinnon, 2012).
According to Aristotle, what is the difference between intellectual and moral virtues?
Intellectual is the first principle governing human acts. Other laws only exist to obey intellectual in various ways. Those who obey intellectual without any contradiction are body limbs because they are in a healthy status. Ideally, the limbs proceed to act after the command of the intellectual. Therefore, Aristotle says that the intellect commands the body as a slave. Accordingly, some philosophers contend that all active human principles are subordinate to the intellect in this manner. Such a circumstance is true because for man to act in a good perspective, it follows that he must reason, so there is nothing but intellectual virtues. In this case, Aristotle maintains that because man is the owner of knowledge, he must reason. Anyone who does not reason argues with ignorance (MacKinnon, 2012).
Moral virtue theory considers this as a fallacy. Since the faculty of reasoning obeys the intellectual, virtue theory says intellect commands the reasoning faculty by an absolute power. Hence, Aristotle says sometimes people understand what is right and not what they wish. In this manner, as long as human beings have knowledge, they must reason, given this reasoning is based on intellectual for the person to act. For a human being to engage in a kind act, it is a requirement that the reason be similarly exhibited through an intellectual virtue habit (MacKinnon, 2012). However, the desire to do the act must be exhibited through a moral virtue habit. Therefore, moral virtue is different from intellectual virtue, because the desire differs from the reason. Thus, just as the desire is a human action principle as far as reason is concerned, moral habits must be considered virtues as they conform to reason.
Traits that have been thought to be virtues
Courage
Liberality
Friendly
Honesty
Kindness
Reliable
Considerate
What traits do you find most important in your personal relationships?
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