Traits Of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics looks at how we ought to be. Virtue ethics looks at the traits of character. I feel that this is different from the other ethics we have studied so far as we have looked at ethics that focus on what people do and what the outcome of their actions is like. Ethics in general, is like a judgement. It’s a judgement one makes on their own, and it’s also a judgement from others based on what the person does or how they act. Virtue ethics looks at the actual characteristics of people. Are they friendly and giving, or are they mean and selfish? It’s easy to label someone based off of one encounter with them. I know when I meet someone for the first time I can make a statement like “wow they were really nice”, or “he wasn’t very friendly …show more content…

They could be influenced by their surroundings, maybe their friends are in gangs and influence them to do the wrong thing. They may not have a sense of intellectual virtues to judge themselves and others knowing that they are doing wrong. At the same time, if someone is constantly doing right, like donating their time and helping others or even focusing on their studying and helping out at home, this is what they will know. It’s easy for people to adapt to their surroundings, but intellectual virtue can easily change someone for the better, but I believe they need to be committed to …show more content…

Aristotle said that basically, we should not have too much or too little of a virtue. For instance fear, someone with too much fear would be afraid to take any risks or try any new adventure for fear of something bad happening. Maybe they won’t win or succeed or maybe if they were to do something like skydiving they would die. On the other hand someone who has no fear, has no caution in everyday life. They don’t look at the what-ifs and the maybes. Generally someone with no fear just does without thinking before they do. Aristotle lists things such as honesty, loyalty, courage, justice, and pride as virtues as well. For myself I find honesty and loyalty to be the two biggest traits when dealing with personal relationships. I consider myself a very straight forward person. I don’t like to sugar coat but I am also not mean when standing my ground. My parents taught me to respects others and treat them as I would want to be treated. I look for the same thing from others in my everyday life. I would rather someone be honest with me and tell me to my face a reason why they may be upset with me, rather than talk behind my