Understanding Ethics: an Argument for Virtue Ethics
Understanding Ethics: An Argument for Virtue Ethics There are many different ethical systems out there to learn from and each one them have their own way of describing beliefs. So many choices but, which one is right for you? Maybe a mix of ethical systems is the right way to go? This article will present pro’s and con’s from three ethical systems and why it is this author’s belief that virtue ethics is all around a better system than the rest. Though this article won’t cover every system, it does cover three major, popular systems out there and provide information on those with a goal to at least spread awareness of philosophy so that people are able to have their own thoughts and systems. Read on and make a decision for yourself instead of living through someone else. What is the point of ethics? "Ethics, or moral philosophy, investigates how we can evaluate our behavior in terms of right and wrong, good and bad—in short, how we determine what we should do, what we should not do, and how to tell the difference" (Mosser, 2010. Sec 2.1). Ethics, or morals, is what is ingrained in human beings as to what is right or wrong and can change from person to person, region to region, or society to society. Most people don’t even think about ethics or philosophy, a lot of times they believe what someone told them or even the way Hollywood portrays something. The point is that you have the ability to be aware of what’s out there and that you have the freedom and responsibility to use your brain towards scrutiny of beliefs because that 's what makes them stronger. Next, read about why virtue ethics stands out from the rest as it is defined along with pro 's and con 's listed. What is virtue ethics? It 's "a philosophical account of moral life" (Carr, 1999. Pg 18). It "is a term philosophers use to refer to a particular approach to moral and ethical questions that focuses on the character of the person" (Mosser, 2010. Sec. 2.1). It is a system where it
References: Carr, D. & Steutel, J. (1999). Virtue Ethics and Moral Education. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/lib/ashford/docDetail.action?docID= 10095077 Mulgan, T. (2007). Understanding Utilitarianism. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary .com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/lib/ashford/docDetail.action?docID=10455625 Betzler, M. (2008). Kant 's Ethics of Virtue. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.proxy- library.ashford.edu/lib/ashford/docDetail.action?docID=10275853 Dontigney, E. (2013). Pros & Cons of Ethical Theories. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com /info_8404891_pros-cons-ethical-theories.html Mosser, K. (2010). Philosophy: a concise introduction. Retrieved from https://content.ashford. edu/books/AUPHI208.11.1/sections/ch00 Manuel, V. (2012). Ethics and Virtue. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/ decision/ethicsandvirtue.html Mastin, L. (2008). The Basics of Philosophy. http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_virtue _ethics.html