Virtue Ethics
Virtue Ethics: in ethics, the position that the moral life should be concerned with cultivating a virtuous character rather than following rules of action.
Aristotle wrote that human beings can be happy only if they fulfill their basic human purpose or function.
 | Humans will be happy only if we are able to act within reason in the various circumstances of our life; |
| Since the ability to do something well is a virtue, Aristotle concludes that humans will achieve happiness only by developing their virtues |
For Aristotle, a virtue is the ability to be reasonable in our actions, desires and emotions.
| We are not born with such abilities but acquire them by training in our communities |
| We become virtuous by being trained to act virtuously in appropriate situations until it becomes a habit. |
 | It is at first difficult but when we have acquired the virtue, it becomes easy & pleasant. |
Through our actions we shape the kind of person we become.
· If the behaviour tends to produce a virtuous character, then it is morally right. If it produces a vicious character, then it is morally wrong
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