Is Virtue Ethics a Good Way to Make Moral Decisions?

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Virtue Ethics is an ethical system that was first presented by Aristotle. It states that the long term practice of moral and intellectual virtues will lead to the fulfilment of our ultimate human goal – achieving Eudemonia. This is a state of pure happiness and is the Supreme Good for all of humanity. Virtue Ethics was revitalised in 1981 by Scottish philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. Consequently, other modern philosophers, such as Susan Wolf, Robert Louden, Elizabeth Anscombe and Nicholas Gier, have shared their views of Virtue Ethics. Aristotle encouraged individuals to consider their options, according to virtues, when making moral decisions. This makes it a good way to make these decisions because this generally leads to people making rational and sensible choices. Virtue Ethics teaches that we should live by the Golden Mean. This is a system that places emphasis on developing moral virtues by striving for moderation. For example, one of the moral virtues is courage. To live by the Golden Mean, we should express courage moderately so that it is virtuous, instead of expressing rashness – an excess of courage – or cowardice – a deficiency of courage. Martin Luther King showed courage when advocating peaceful protest in response to the oppression of minorities in the USA in the 20th Century. This was as opposed to expressing rashness by being violent, or expressing cowardice by not standing up for himself and others. The incorporation of the Golden Mean into Virtue Ethics makes it a good way to make moral decisions. This is because it ensures that the individual making moral decisions is challenged to consider what is sensible and moderate in each situation. This consideration helps to prevent actions that are extreme and promote those that are sensible. However, the use of the Golden Mean within Virtue Ethics in fact makes it weak, and not a good way

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