Reflective Essay: Different Types Of Virtue Ethics

Virtue is defined as moral excellence and righteousness, or goodness. A person of virtue is someone that has high moral standards. It can also be one’s characteristic such as patience. Virtue is based on one’s behavior while other ethical theories are based on one’s actions. There are differences in virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology. Virtue ethics “focuses on the inherent character of a person rather than on the nature or consequences of specific actions performed” (philosophybasics.com). I believe that I practice this type of ethics. Overall, I try to be a good person of moral character, who is kind and does not think ill will towards anyone. I am someone’s mother, daughter, friend, and companion. I try to be and do the best that I can in each role that I have. Although we all go through obstacles in life, my life for the most part has been filled with love, kindness, and positivity. I do more for others than I do for myself. I know how to give and I rarely take. This type of virtuous attitude has led me to happiness and I live a very good life.

Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism that theorizes an action is as good as how many people it serves. These theories are all based on the outcome of one’s actions which differs from virtue ethics. In my opinion, this type of theory may not have a favorable result as it may suggest. For example, if a person robbed a bank to get money to support his family, there would be a good consequence. This man would be able to provide food and shelter for his family. In utilitarianism, or consequentialism, “the rightness or wrongness of an act or rule is solely a matter of overall nonmoral good produced in the consequences of doing that act or following that rule”