PHL 1B Module 10-1

VIRTUE ETHIICS
Virtue Ethics as a moral system, places emphasis on developing good habits of character,
like kindness and generosity, and avoiding bad character traits, or vices, such as greed or
hatred. Virtue-based theories give importance to moral education which molds individuals
to habitually act in a virtuous manner. Focusing on the character of the agent, virtue ethics
describes right actions as those chosen and performed by a suitably virtuous person.
Definition of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is a broad term for theories that emphasize the role of character and virtue in
moral philosophy rather than either doing one’s duty or acting in order to bring about good
consequences. A virtue ethicist is likely to give you this kind of moral advice: “Act as a
virtuous person would act in your situation.”
Central to Plato's Philosophy is his Theory of Forms - The objectively existing

immaterial entities that are the proper object of knowledge. Everything in the material world
is what it is by virtue of its resemblance to, or participation in, this universal form or Idea.
For Plato, those who comprehend the Good will always do good actions. Bad actions are
performed out of not knowing the Good. To know the Good, nonetheless, requires an
austere and intellectually meticulous way of life.
Aristotle’s Ethics
- Three general descriptions, which are interrelated, can be used to depict aristotle’s ethics.
1. Self Realizationism
2. Eudaimonistic
3. Aretaic
• Act Oriented Ethics
• Virtue Ethics
- A ‘Telos’ is an end or purpose. Aristotle believes that the essence or essential nature of
beings, including humans, lay not at their cause (or beginning) but at their end (‘telos’)
Happiness And Virtues

Aristotle believes that the ultimate human goal is self-realization. This entails achieving
one’s natural purpose by functioning or living consistently with human nature.
Accomplishing it, produces happiness; whereas inability to realize it leads to sadness,
frustration, and ultimately to poor life. It therefore behooves us to act in accordance with
our nature so as to be content and complete.
Aristotle identifies three natures of man: the vegetable or physical, animal or emotional,
and rational or mental. As previously explained, the thing that distinguishes humans from
all other creatures is the rational nature or the ability to reason. Rational development is
thus deemed the most important, as it is uniquely human. Accordingly, living in accordance
with reason is viewed as vital in self realization or developing one’s potential.
Ethics, for Aristotle, is the inquiry into the human good. This is to say that the purpose of
studying ethics is to make ourselves good, though Aristotle assumes that we already want
to become good. This human good is ‘eudaimonia’ or happiness.
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Aristotle observed that wise persons seek an end that is self-sufficient, final, and attainable
over one’s life. This end is happiness which all human beings want. Aristotle also considers
happiness as the summum bonum – the greatest good of all human life. He adds that it is
the only intrinsic good, that is, the good that is pursued for it’s own sake. While all other
things, such as pleasure, wealth, and honor are merely means to an end, happiness is
man’s ultimate goal as it is an end in itself.
Virtue as Habit
- Aristotle's idea of happiness should also be understood in the sense of human
flourishing. This flourishing is attained by the habitual practice of moral and
intellectual excellences or 'virtues’.
- Aristotle said your Character is developed through HABITUATION.

- Moral virtue is an expression of character, formed by habits reflecting repeated
choices.
- Moral virtue is the golden mean between the two less desirables extreme.
Deficiency Golden Mean Excess
*Cowardice *Courage *Tactless Rashness
*Stinginess *Generosity *Prodigality
*extreme frugality *Temperance *Gluttony
Applied Ethics philosophically examines specific, controversial moral issues. Using

philosophical methods, this area of concern in Ethics attempts to determine the ethically
correct course of action in specific realms of human action.
For a subject to be considered as an applied ethical issue, not only must it be a
matter of moral judgment, but also it has to be controversial. That is, there must be
considerable groups of people both for and against the issue.
Applied ethical issues nowadays are classified into various subfields.
Bioethics
This concerns ethical issues pertaining to life, biomedical, researches, medicines,

health care, and medical profession. As such, it deals with controversies like those about
surrogate mothering, genetic manipulation of fetuses, stem cell research, using
human embryos in research, in-vitro fertilization, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, patient
rights, confidentiality of patient’s records, physician’s responsibilities and mandatory
medical screening.
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Environmental Ethics
It deals with moral issues concerning nature, ecosystem and its nonhuman contents.
This includes issues such as animal rights, animal experimentation, endangered species
preservation, pollution control, and sustainable development.
Business Ethics
It examines moral principles concerning business environment which involves issues about
corporate practices, policies, business behaviors, and the conducts and relationships of
individuals in the organizations. It investigates ethical controversies such as those about
the social responsibility of business, employee rights, harassment, labor unions, misleading
advertising, job discrimination, and whistle blowing.
Sexual Ethics
It studies moral issues about sexuality and human sexual behavior. It examines topics like
homosexuality, lesbianism, polygamy, pre-marital sex, marital fidelity, extra-marital sex,
non-marital procreation, loveless sexual relations, safe sex, and contraceptive use.
Social Ethics
It deals with what is right for a society to do and how it should act as a whole. Its focus is
on what may be deemed as proper behavior for people as a whole. Some of the issues
under this are those about racial discrimination, death penalty, nuclear weapon production,
gun control, drug use for fun, and welfare rights.
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VIRTUE ETHIICS

Definition of Virtue Ethics

Central to Plato's Philosophy is his Theory of Forms - The objectively existing

• Act Oriented Ethics

Happiness And Virtues

- Aristotle said your Character is developed through HABITUATION.

Applied Ethics philosophically examines specific, controversial moral issues. Using

This concerns ethical issues pertaining to life, biomedical, researches, medicines,

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