Virtue Ethics Essay Example for Free

lawfulness ethics Es regulariseVirtue ethics is a chaste philosophy that encompasses incorruptity, de charmingd by values which atomic number 18 identified and classified by a stray of consultation traits. Aristotle is the founding father of most legality ethics theories, dapple some versions leave incorporated Plato, Kant and Hume their contributions to the supposition of lesson excellence ethics is less emphatic (Athanassouulis, 2006). Virtue theory is often thought of as a dynamic theory of how to conduct avocation activities (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 157). Virtues ar acquired character traits that help slew fit into society. Acquiring virtuous qualities is necessary to achieve success. gibe to Grenz Smith (2003) Virtue ethics is defined as an, inner disposition to perform virtuously expert acts of a certain kind the tendency to act rightly by consumption in a contingent manner a character trait that is deemed examplely praiseworthy. The r ights come also been understood to be those qualities of character that beget a soulfulness chastely successful. Ethicists in both the Greek and Christian moral traditions have sought to determine what traits be virtues.Recent years have witnessed a renewed egress to in virtues, especially with the renaissance in virtue ethics or the ethic of being (p. 125). a nonher(prenominal) definitions of virtue ethics have been described as positive traits which promote health, harmony, and balance (Engel, 2000). A virtue is an acquired quality of character that allows one to achieve personal happiness. Velasquez, Shanks, Andre and Meyer (1988) flesh outd that a person that has highly-developed the virtue of bounty is often referred to as a generous person because he or she tends to be generous in all circumstances (no page).Velasquez, Shanks, Andre, and Meyers interpretation of virtue ethics reinforces Aristotles earlier theory that formerly virtuosity is acquired it is maintained by repetition (1988, no page). quite a little are by record creatures of habit. Therefore, in regulate to become virtuous it is necessary to repeat virtuous acts so those acts become habits. The opposite of virtues are vices, which are negative traits that detract from health, harmony and balance. tally to Engel (2000) a vice is an unbalanced virtue which needs to be brought back to center (no page). A vice arouse either be a lack of motion or an act of self indulgence.Vices are cause by impulses which are not regulated by virtues and more times the individual is unaware of their emotions (Engel, 2000, no page). Virtues and vices must work together and balance turn out. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being constitutional, a person who values the virtue of honesty and vows to always advertise the truth no matter the circumstance or situation lacks harmony and balance. Honesty can be taken to an extreme 10 whereby one says everything from ones mind without each contempla tion or using tact (Engel, 2000, no page). On the other hand one can be an extreme 1 where the individual does not ever tell the truth.It is important to under viewpoint that being an extreme 1 or 10 on any virtuous scale is not a good thing. Aristotle is the father of virtue ethics theories he studied ethics in a broad sense. He defined virtues of character as dispositions to act in certain ways in response to correspondent situations (Engel, 2000, no page). Based on Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics, things of any variety have a characteristic economic consumption that they are decorously used to perform (Kemerling, 1997). The good for human beings must involve the entire proper function of human life as a whole (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 350 B. C. ).Aristotle also gave consideration to the aspects of human nature involved in performing and accepting moral responsibility. Aristotles philosophy of virtue ethics emphasizes that acting virtuous is a habit not an act. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit (Landauer Rowlands, 2001). For example, individuals that consistently practice the virtue of being fair will continuously expound their knowledge of righteousness in every aspect of life. Blackburn (2001) pointed out that Aristotle emphasized becoming virtuous requires education and practice (p. 113). moralistic character must be taught and instilled gradually. Aristotles theory of virtue applies accordingly to todays headache activities by implying to be virtuous requires extreme repetition, dedication and understanding of morality. cleanity is a major serving of virtue ethics. Grenz Smith defined morality as, Determining what is believed to be right and good, then living out those beliefs (2003, p. 77). The word ethics has often been used as a synonym for morality (Frankena, 1980, p. 3). According to Frankena, conceptual thinking and analysis seek to clarify moral concepts like virtue to elucidate the logic of mor al reasoning (1980, p.4). righteousity has been referred to as an action guide or standard of conduct. What Makes Us Moral? Authored by Levy (2004) described morality as a system of prescriptions that are held to be conditionally rear upon all rational agents (p. 41). nearly often morality is deemed as a type of character defining which determines how pot should act and shape their lives (Frankena, 1980, p19). Essentially morality has been linked synonymously with moral sound judgment. Hollinger referred to moral judgment as a behavior in which people have a sense of oughtness and obligation (2002, p. 13).Moral judgment involves those finishs in bad-tempered situations where one choice may be better or worse than another. According to Cothran (2006), determining what is moral or immoral comes from either the understanding of new information or the application of information (p. 34). It is out of a sense of obligation, and knowing right from wrong that has caused people to agnise do the morality of an issue. Halberstam (1993) proposed that thither are three basic confusions nigh moral judgment (p. 146). First, morality is not a matter of taste. Second, moral judgments are not social judgments.Lastly, being moral does not stand for to acting legally. How people choose to deal with issues tells the world who they are. How do you sustain a moral decision? You can flip a coin. You can roll dice. Usually people go with their gut instincts. Moral reflection is essentially self actualization which compels people to analyze their decisions. Typically people debate about social issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and everyday personal concerns. These issues are moral judgments not a matter of taste or preference. Americans have enacted laws based on moral concerns not matters of taste.Moral issues are routinely taken to Congress in order to enact laws concerning American citizens. Halberstam (1993) stated, If moral views were arbitrary inclinations, we wou ldnt inconvenience trying to get others to see our way (p. 147). many another(prenominal) people confuse moral judgments with social judgments. Halberstam (1993) researched southeastward Asians cuisine and found many Asians consider mon place brains to be a delicacy (p. 148). Asians frequently dine on monkey brains, which most Americans would find repulsive. However, consumption of monkey brains is no more a moral repulsion than consumption of fried chickens.The issue of whether or not to dine on monkey brains would unremarkably be considered a social judgment not a moral judgment (Halberstam, 1993, p. 148). However, if a elementicular culture worshiped monkeys then the issue could be considered a moral judgment. Moral judgments, unlike matters of taste are supported by reason (Halberstam, 2003, p. 147). People are allowed to prefer a certain food everyplace another, the same as they are allowed to prefer wearing clothes made by a particular designer over another. An example o f moral judgment would be presented if a designer employed children in sweatshops to make his or her clothes.The buyer would then have the burden of deciding whether it is morally correct to keep on to purchase the designers clothing. The buyers decision would be based on his or her moral beliefs. Moral beliefs are inner beliefs that ultimately guide outward actions. moral philosophy isnt a matter of personal taste or social standards. It really isnt a matter of the law, either. Morality and the law are often connected. Fried (1978) pointed out in Right and Wrong, Rights are to be used, and there are moral judgments to be made, judgments of the good and bad, better and worse, regarding the enjoyment of these rights (p.171). For example some comedians tell prejudiced and ethnic jokes. Legally the comedian has a right to free speech, however those jokes may be considered morally offensive. In most societies people wish the law to reflect morality, but there is a fine line between the two. Lying is morally wrong, but unless you lie on a witness stand its not illegal (Halbestam, 2003, p. 151). Therefore most people haven chosen not to make being a liar an illegal act only to question the morality and character of people that lie. Cohen (2002) stated, Most of the worlds misery can be traced back to a lack of virtue (p. 21).The main virtues that support wrinkle transactions are law, honesty, affirm, fairness, and moral leadership (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 157). Lack of any of the antecedently mentioned virtues can seve swan hinder and harm a business. According to Lewis (1991) in A Question of Vales half dozen Ways We Make The Personal Choices That Shape Our Lives, virtuosity has been closely linked to emotion, Although we do not usually helper feeling with thinking or judging we actually judge through our emotions all the time (p. 10). creation honest and transparent has been found to be the most emotionally challenged and judged virtue.Int egrity incorporates a broad range of ethical characteristics. Plante (2004) defined integrity as following high standards of honesty, justice, and fairness having completeness or wholeness (p. 40). You could say that to maintain integrity is to avoid situations that violate your sense of completeness or wholeness. Heres an example to illustrate the principle of integrity. You are a lawyer with a firm and you are propositioned by a invitee to do legal work outside of the firm. You feel this opportunity may help you advance in your career. Also the likelihood of anyone finding out about this business transaction is unlikely.If you were a person of integrity what would you do? I you value the virtue of integrity you would likely decline the offer, due to your loyalty and committal to the firm. Individuals that value integrity usually value honesty as well. On the other hand individuals that have not fully developed their sense of virtue emotionally agonize between being truthful and being dishonest. Grenz Smith (2003) defined honesty as being devoted to the truth and truthfulness (p. 53). As a virtue honesty gives rise both to pursing the truth and being truthful (Grenz Smith, 2003, p.54).Even in difficult situations a truly virtuous person will always be honest. Trust is a virtue defined as a predisposition to place confidence in the behavior of others while taking the risk that the expected behavior will not be performed (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 158). Businesses that posse the virtue of trust eliminate the need for excessive monitoring and precise contracts and agreements (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 158). Businesses that have complete trust convey dependableness and integrity to their consumers and counterparts.Fairness is a virtue that focuses on the disposition to deal equitably with the perceived injustices of others (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 158). According to Grenz Smith (2003) fairness is a principle of justice that asserts that all persons in a particular assembly ought contribute to and share in the benefits that accrue to the group in a manner that is equitable when measured according to an assumed or agreed standard. Fairness often relates to doing the right thing in any given situation. In sales and marketing environments associates often have collective team and individual objectives or sales goals to meet monthly.In order to make the sales objectives fair, upper management assess octuple components, such as the number of sales associates on a team and the amount of sales last of each individual. It would be unfair for an associate with one month of experience to have the same goals as an associate with one year of service. It would also be unfair for a team of 6 members to have the same sales goals as a team with 10 members. The team would be at a disadvantage either by lack of experience or the number of sales agents. Moral leadership is a virtue that encompasses strength of ch aracter, peace of mind heart, and happiness in life.Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell (2008) have found moral leadership to be a character trait of leaders who follow a consistent figure of speech of behavior based on virtues (p. 158). A person that posses moral leadership will always rely on their virtues to guide them. Such an individual will remain consistent in the method in which they conduct business. Virtues are often called character traits. Character is defined as the various dimensions of personality either natural or acquired that distinguish one individual from another (Grenz Smith, 2003, p. 18).As an ethical term character refers to the traits of an individual that may be deemed morally blameworthy or praiseworthy. Character traits are usually used in a positive sense to refer to the possession of virtues. Individuals that posses character traits are considered to be as morally upright. Gier (2006) found virtue ethics to be internal and self regulating, thereby sustaining c haracter traits as internal and self-regulating measures of standards (no page). It is important to understand that moral character develops over a period of time. People are born with all kinds of natural tendencies.Some of the tendencies will be positive such as kindness and some of the tendencies will be negative such as jealousy (Athanassoulis, 2006, no page). graphic tendencies can be encouraged and discouraged by leadership such as parents teachers and peers. Character development is shaped and molded through a long gradual process of moral education and habitation (Athanassoulis, 2006, no page). Moral education and development are a major part of virtue ethics. Cline suggested in Virtue Ethics Morality and Character, that a person ask themselves four key questions What sort of person do I want to be?What virtues are characteristics of the person I want to be? What actions will cultivate the virtues I want to possess? What actions will be characteristics of the sort of pers on I want to be? (n. d. , no page). Virtuous actions stem from some particular motivation, which implies correct moral decisions require correct moral motives. Greene (1994) pointed out Benjamin Franklins stance on the virtue of finalise in Bens Book of Virtues which stated, resolutions were meant to be kept and held sacred by resolving to do what you ought (p. 8).In other words, do without fail what you resolve to do (Greene, 1994, p. 8). Resolutions are usually inner promises people make to themselves to do or follow certain plans of action. Following through with resolutions builds trust and respect in the business world. Companies that fail to honor their resolutions become weak and undesirable to their colleagues and stakeholders. There can be a diametrical set of virtues for almost every aspect of life, such as marriage, religion, and business. For example, with regards to marriage the virtues are trust, respect, love and fidelity.Many Christians hold their religious virtues as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love (Col 312). Most businesses set of virtues are trust, self-control, empathy, fairness, truthfulness, learning, gratitude, civility, and moral leadership (Ferrell, Fraedrich Ferrell, 2008, p. 158). Virtue ethics is a moral philosophy that has been turn out to focus on ones internal disposition of values and beliefs. According to Aristotle, virtues are developed through moral education which instills positive character traits by repetitive practicing of virtuous habits.Virtuous people posses balance and harmony between their virtues and vices. In conclusion virtue ethics is a dynamic theory of how to conduct business activities and ultimately life activities. Reference List Aristotle. c. 350 B. C. (1985). Nicomachean Ethics. Trans by Terence Irwin. Indianapolis. IN Hackett. Athanassoulis, Nafsika. (2006). Virtue ethics. In The Internet Encyclopedia ofPhilosophy online. Retrieved July 26, 2008 from http//www. utm. edu/research/iep/v/virtue. htm Blackburn, Simon. (2001). Being good A short introduction to ethics. sunrise(prenominal) York, NewYork Oxford University Press Inc.Cline, Austin. (n. d. ). Virtue ethics Morality and character. Retrieved June 30, 2008,from http//atheism. about. com/od/ethicalsystems/a/virtueethics. htm Cohen, Randy. (2002). The good the bad the difference How to tell right fromwrongin everyday situations. New York, NY Doubleday. Cothran, Helen. (Eds) (2006). Ethics Opposing viewpoints. Farmington Hills, MIGreenhaven Press. Engel, Dawn. (2000). Virtues and vices. Retrieved July 26, 2008 fromhttp//www. philosophypages. com/hy/2s. htm Frankena, William. (1980). Thinking about morality. Ann Arbor, MI The University of geographical mile Press.Ferrell, O. C. , Fraedrich, John, Ferrell, Linda. (2008). Individual factors moralphilosophies and values. In, Business ethics Ethical decision making and cases(7th ed. ). (P. 156-158) Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company. Fri ed, Charles. (1978). Right and wrong. 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Oxford,England Oneworld Publications Lewis, Hunter. (1991). A question of values Six ways we make the personal choicesthat shape our lives. New York, NY HarperCollins Publishers. Plante, Thomas G. PH. D. , ABPP. (2004).Do the right thing Living ethically in anunethical world. Oakland, CA New Harbinger Publications Inc. Velasquez, Manuel Andre, Claire Shanks, Thomas Meyer, Michael. (1988). Ethics and virtue. Retrieved fromhttp//www. scu. edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvirtue. html.