Ethics

Ethics can be defined as “the subject that tells us what human goodness is and how to achieve it” (p.26 Barnes, 1976). It can also be described as it enabling us to be good men, therefore being able to achieve the uppermost human good which is seen as the object formation of the ethics. As one of the main approaches in normative ethics, Virtue Ethics can be classified as an attempt to determine what might be considered of moral character, in which is a key aspect of Virtue Ethics relating to ethical thinking. This devises a strong contrast to consequentialism focussing on consequences in actions, and deontology that accentuates duties and rules (Hursthouse, 2003).

Virtue Ethics consists’ three central moralised concepts in that Eudaimonia is one of great significance, portrayed as human wellbeing. “Well-being (Eudaimonia) is the highest aim of moral thought and conduct” (Hursthouse, 2003). In saying this, Artisole reviews how it reflects how a man lives and what he does in order to fulfil and make himself flourish which are emphasised as the key purposes in Virtue Ethics (p.33 Barnes, 1976). According to Eudaimonism, a man who is Eudaimon is someone who creates a good life. He makes a success of his life and will possess those character traits to generate a positive effect. (Annas, 2014).

Discussed by Frankena, there are current confusions between virtues and principles of duty for example, there is a belief that we must treat people equally and we must encourage the good. Frankena further explains this and how to distinguish between the two in arguing that a virtue is a temperament, custom or attribute a person either possesses or is seeking to have, not necessarily acting in a certain way for an anticipated outcome (p.64 Frankena, 1963).