Compare and contrast the views on character ethics and virtues
Character ethics and morality are contentious concerns that society has been facing for decades. Different people have varied arguments over the benefits of various models, each with its assumptions and philosophies regarding ethics and virtues. This paper compares the views and the significance of character ethics vis-a-vis that of attributes[1]. Character ethics is a tool which dictates people’s universal rules and morals principles and determines what to do. It is the principle which obliges everyone to do that which will accomplish the highest good for the most significant number according to the law of utilitarianism. Besides, ethical principles may require people to act according to the Immanuel Kant’s policy, which maintains that every person must conduct themselves exclusively in a manner that respects moral rights and human dignity.[2] Hence, character ethics focus mainly on people’s doings and actions.
On the contrary, virtues are character traits, dispositions, or attitudes that enable people to act and do things in a way that enhance their innate potential. Attributes allow people to nurture and pursue adopted concepts and principles. Examples of attributes include may include but are not limited to prudence, self-control, fairness, integrity, fidelity, generosity, courage, honesty, and compassion. People pursue and develop their virtues through continuous practicing and learning. According to Aristotle, people can build their attributes or characters through self-control and discipline, but they can tarnish a right attitude, recurrent self-indulgence. The ability to be compassionate, courageous, and fair, like being able to run a marathon, is nurtured through much practice and training. Additionally, virtues are more or less like habits. Once one acquires them, they become that person’s characteristic behavior that, in effect, defines the person.
However, like virtues, ethics determine what and how a person acts and conducts their day-to-day functions. Secondly, according to the principle of utilitarianism, an attribute is a principle which obliges everyone to do that which will accomplish the highest good for the most significant number.[3] The obligation compels people to learn new characters through training and continuous practice to behave in a manner that suits the common good. Similarly, virtues enable people to pursue and develop different traits which are adopted through training and exercises. Moreover, both character ethics and virtues negate vices against humanity. The duo teaches character, behavior, and methods that widely accepted in society.
The Place of Character Ethics and Virtues in the Society
According to Hauerwas, character ethics and virtues are the fundamental aspects of religion and society at large. He maintains it would be better for a person who lacks moral character ethics to avoid the scripture altogether. According to Hauerwas, the Scripture derives its authority from the faith community; conversely, individuals and the community at large derive their identity from the Scripture.[4] Therefore, lack of ethical virtues which are the prerequisites which define the relation and the interplay between the society and religion is forbidden. Aquinas, Aristotle, and Hauerwas agree that character ethics and virtues are contentious functions that the community needs to meet specific character qualities, goals, and expectations that determine the value of religion. Hence, morals and attributes are the critical aspects that any society needs to achieve its goals and expectations.
The importance of character ethics and virtue in economics
Character Ethics and morality play a vital role in shaping politics and economic choices and financial decisions. An entrepreneur’s morals determine their ethical characters which in return, shape their actions and feelings. According to Aristotle, the virtue of good temper or mildness is driven by a person’s anger. He further maintains that people with good temper are more often than not driven by passion over forms of mistreatment and injustices which compels them to contest for positions to stand up for themselves and people they care about.[5] Aristotle further claims that lack of such morals creates morality deficiency individuals whose characters are angry, hence, unable to stand up neither for their rights nor for the people around them. Additionally, morality deficient persons have the tendencies to get angry and take offenses against unwarranted circumstances. Therefore, ethics and virtues help to restore sanity among irascible individuals by instilling order and the real sense.
The importance of character ethics and virtue in politics
According to Aristotle, ethics and virtues define rational policy-making and political deliberation which exempts manual workers, women, and natural slaves from citizenship which elucidates his opinion that citizens need to be owners of private property.[6] Aristotle believes that manual workers and natural slaves do not have decision-making and deliberation capabilities, which they need to live well. He further claims that women, on the other hand, lack the authority to exercise their deliberative capacities. Aristotle suggests that lack of ethical and moral standards make a nation to be run by politicians who do not value the rights of the less privileged citizens. Hence, character ethics and virtues enhance the rule of law as well as respecting and embracing diversity.
Bibliography
Homiak, Marcia. “Moral Character.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Phylosophy, April 15, 2019.
Hursthouse, Rosalind, and Glen Pettigrove. “Virtue Ethics.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Phylosophy, December 8, 2016.
Nullens, Patrick, and Ronald Michener. The Matrix of Christian Ethics: Integrating Philosophy and Moral Theology in a Postmodern Context. London: InterVasity Press, 2016.
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