Virtue Ethics Research Paper

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The idea of virtue ethics stems from the concept of what makes one a morally good person. Virtue ethics focuses on how one ought to be, while other ethical theories focus on what we ought to do. Previous ethical ideas helped to determine exactly what the right thing to do was, whether you are a good or bad person. Virtue ethics examines what it is that makes each of us essentially a good or bad person. When we think of virtues, it is usually described as kindness, generosity, independence, perseverance. Someone with virtues may stand up for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. They make sacrifices that no one else is willing to make in order to benefit others. These are just a few ways that virtues are described or understood. When it comes to virtue…show more content…
Barbara Mackinnon believes that virtue ethics does not ask what side of the issue you support, but simply what kind of person do you want to be. It is the structure of everyday life and how one wants to live that life that matters when it comes to virtue ethics. How you treat your friends, co-workers, relatives, or how honest you should be, and even what you should teach your children. I believe that other ethical theories focused on what we should do on a case by case basis depending on the situation, while virtue ethics wants to know what kind of person you are no matter the situation. And that to me is the main difference. A virtuous person is someone that is morally good and virtues are the good traits that that person demonstrates in their life. Virtue ethics is about developing good character and trying to embody the ideals for human life. Other ethical theories such as relativism or utilitarianism were more of a focus on the situation and its consequences, while virtue is a focus on the individual in the situation and how their virtues and morals affect the

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