Virtue Ethics and Ancient Philosophy
About Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics asks a big-picture question: instead of focusing only on what to do in a given situation, it asks who should I be? It’s one of the oldest approaches to moral philosophy, going all the way back to ancient Greece. But don’t let the age fool you—virtue ethics is still super relevant today.
Rather than giving us a checklist of right and wrong actions, virtue ethics focuses on developing moral character. It’s about becoming the kind of person who naturally makes good decisions—not just because you follow rules, but because you’ve developed the right habits, emotions, and mindset. At the center of this theory are virtues—traits like honesty, courage, kindness, patience, and fairness. According to this view, living ethically means practicing these virtues until they become part of who you are.
This reading walks through the basics of virtue ethics, especially as developed by Aristotle. He believed that we become virtuous through practice, just like we get better at a sport or instrument by doing it regularly. For example, you become brave by facing your fears—not once, but again and again. Over time, these habits shape your character.
What makes this ethical approach so unique is that it doesn’t give you hard-and-fast rules for every moral dilemma. Instead, it asks you to use practical wisdom—to judge what’s appropriate in each situation, based on context, experience, and character. Virtue ethics sees morality as something we grow into over time, within our communities and relationships.
Before You Read
Think about someone you admire—not for what they’ve accomplished, but for the kind of person they are. What makes them admirable? Chances are, it has something to do with character—the way they treat others, stay honest, show compassion, or make brave choices.
Virtue ethics is all about that. Rather than focusing only on rules or outcomes, it says: Becoming a good person leads to doing good things. In this view, morality isn’t about following a script—it’s about developing the habits that help you act wisely and ethically, even when life throws you curveballs.
Before diving in, reflect on this: What virtues do you try to live by? And how do you actually build those into your daily life?
Guiding Questions
- What is a virtue, and how do we develop virtues according to this theory?
- How does virtue ethics differ from rule-based or consequence-based moral theories?
- What role does community and practice play in becoming a virtuous person?
- Can virtue ethics help us navigate modern ethical challenges? Why or why not?
