Virtue Ethics Vs Utilitarianism Essay
Utilitarianism is concerned about the results of an action, while Kantian ethics is focused about the moral duties, Virtue ethics on the other hand place an emphasis on the development of a good moral character. Unlike the first two ethical theories, virtue ethics is not a theory about what makes an action right. It answers the question, “What kind of individual should I be?” and “What kind of characters are necessary to live a virtuous life?
Virtue ethics can be tracked back from the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle who was the very first one to develop ethical philosophy that is based on reasoning. His most famous work, “Nichomachean Ethics”, discussed that when individuals acquire good character habits, they are able to regulate their reason and decisions. He divided virtues in to two types: intellectual virtues which is a combination of nature and learning such as intelligence, good sense, and understanding. The second type is called, moral virtues which emphasizes the excellence of a character, thus this is learned by repeating the character or virtue itself. …show more content…
Inspired by Aristotle’s teaching, Thomas Aquinas wrote his book, “Summa Theologiae”.
Aquinas present his treatise on virtues as a “good habit bearing on activity or a good faculty” (J. Hardon, 2001, The Meaning of Virtue in St. Thomas Aquinas, para. 18). Both Aristotle and Acquinas agreed that ethics have a practical goal and that living a happy life is the end goal for us human beings, however the two philosophers differ in how they approach this ultimate end. Aristotle was highly concerned in moral education and character formation through proper use of reason, while on the other hand, Aquinas believes that developing our moral characters is a preparation for our union with
God. Virtue ethics has its practical usage in our daily lives. A utilitarian will focus on the fact that the consequence of helping others is to maximize their happiness. A Kantian will point to the moral rule of “do unto unto others as you would be done by” (first categorical imperative), while a virtue ethics follower sees to it that the act of helping others is exercising the trait of compassion. According to Gardiner (2003), “one of the attractions of virtue ethics is the flexibility to assess each situation individually, searching for action guidance in considering what a characteristically virtuous person would do in a situation” (p.300). In the world of medicine, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers can approach an ethical dilemma by the guiding principles of medical ethics: beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice.
Thus, virtue ethics encompasses our entire lives as human beings. It emphasizes that us individuals being the moral agent, the nature of our character is of fundamental importance. It sees every moments as a possibility for acquiring a virtuous life, therefore reaching our highest potentials.
Virtue ethics can be tracked back from the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle who was the very first one to develop ethical philosophy that is based on reasoning. His most famous work, “Nichomachean Ethics”, discussed that when individuals acquire good character habits, they are able to regulate their reason and decisions. He divided virtues in to two types: intellectual virtues which is a combination of nature and learning such as intelligence, good sense, and understanding. The second type is called, moral virtues which emphasizes the excellence of a character, thus this is learned by repeating the character or virtue itself. …show more content…
Inspired by Aristotle’s teaching, Thomas Aquinas wrote his book, “Summa Theologiae”.
Aquinas present his treatise on virtues as a “good habit bearing on activity or a good faculty” (J. Hardon, 2001, The Meaning of Virtue in St. Thomas Aquinas, para. 18). Both Aristotle and Acquinas agreed that ethics have a practical goal and that living a happy life is the end goal for us human beings, however the two philosophers differ in how they approach this ultimate end. Aristotle was highly concerned in moral education and character formation through proper use of reason, while on the other hand, Aquinas believes that developing our moral characters is a preparation for our union with
God. Virtue ethics has its practical usage in our daily lives. A utilitarian will focus on the fact that the consequence of helping others is to maximize their happiness. A Kantian will point to the moral rule of “do unto unto others as you would be done by” (first categorical imperative), while a virtue ethics follower sees to it that the act of helping others is exercising the trait of compassion. According to Gardiner (2003), “one of the attractions of virtue ethics is the flexibility to assess each situation individually, searching for action guidance in considering what a characteristically virtuous person would do in a situation” (p.300). In the world of medicine, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers can approach an ethical dilemma by the guiding principles of medical ethics: beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice.
Thus, virtue ethics encompasses our entire lives as human beings. It emphasizes that us individuals being the moral agent, the nature of our character is of fundamental importance. It sees every moments as a possibility for acquiring a virtuous life, therefore reaching our highest potentials.