Aristotle Virtue Ethics

There are multiple ways someone would act in a situation. An intuitionist would perform an act if it felt right to them. Someone that practices act utilitarianism, would act in a way that would benefit the greater good. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, virtue ethics look at character, instead of the act or consequence (Nafiska). Virtue ethics describe how one should be. Someone that practices virtue ethics would perform an action if it would make them a better person Many philosophers that study virtue ethics, base their findings off of Aristotle. Among other things, multiple cultures have developed their own idea of virtue ethics. One of the main issues with virtue ethics across the diverse cultures, is determining whether

Aristotle determined that the purpose of humankind is to continually think rationally and to develop a rational character. He believed that we must obtain knowledge to determine which action is best. To determine which action is best, Aristotle believed that one learns right from wrong, through consistency and developing habits (Kraut). The end goal of all human life, is to feel happy. Aristotle concluded that, in order to be happy, a person must reason; the more one reasons, the happier and the more virtuous the person will be. Anything that does not contribute to happiness and becoming virtuous, is considered a vice. Aristotle believed that virtue ethics were something someone is born with however, virtue ethics must be molded. Many philosophers in other cultures agreed with him, however, some

He believed that through mutual benefit, virtues are shown in the five cardinal relationships. Confucius believed that life was a learning process therefore, virtues are something someone learns. Chinese philosophers believed that people feel better when they benefit people positively. Confucius believed everyone had a different purpose and he thought they would strive to fulfill their purpose when they found out what was expected of them. Mangzi believed that people were born inherently good and Xunzi, another Chinese philosopher, believed that people are born naturally bad, and we must overcome the evil within us. According to these Chinese philosophers, a person is considered ethically good if they benefit others in a positive way, enhance natural relationships between oneself and the community, as well as striving the become a better person for themselves and everything around them. Other cultures developed their own version of virtue ethics as well.

African virtue ethicists believed that being a good person, is something that is taught. They believed that a person is born neither good nor bad, morally. Their goal was to benefit the wellbeing of their community and the best way to teach good habits was through story telling. Native Americans believed their purpose in life was to live with nature. They were wholistics. They did not want to underuse their surroundings. On