Character Trait Emphasis Of Virtue Theory example essay topic

"Historically, virtue theory is the oldest normative tradition in Western philosophy, having its roots in ancient Greek civilization. Greek epic poets and playwrights, such as Homer and Sophocles, paint the morality of their heroes and antiheroes in terms of their respective virtues and vices. Plato believed that an integral part of one's quest for truth was understanding the ideal nature of virtues such as justice, piety, and courage. The earliest and most influential systematic account of virtue theory appears in Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, the heart of which is his account of moral virtues in Book two. There he argues that moral virtues are desire-regulating character traits which are at a mean between more extreme character traits (or vices). For example, in response to the natural emotion of fear, we should develop the virtuous character trait of courage.

If we develop an excessive character trait by curbing fear too much, then we are said to be rash, which is a vice. If, on the other extreme, we develop a deficient character trait by curbing fear too little, then we are said to be cowardly, which is also a vice. The virtue of courage, then, lies at the mean between the excessive extreme of rashness, and the deficient extreme of cowardice. Most moral virtues, and not just courage, are to be understood as falling at the mean between two accompanying vices.

Aristotle illustrates this with the virtues of temperance, liberality, magnificence, high-mindedness, controlled anger, friendliness, modesty, and righteous indignation. He concludes that it is difficult to live the virtuous life primarily because it is often difficult to find the mean between the extremes. During the late Greek period, Aristotle's account of virtue ethics competed with rival moral theories, particularly those offered by Epicureanism and Stoicism. However, by the late Middle Ages Aristotle's virtue theory was the definitive account of morality, especially insofar as it was endorsed by medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. In medieval discussions, the particular virtues described by Aristotle and the ancient Greeks became known as the cardinal virtues. Medieval ethicist's added to these the theological virtues which appear in the New Testament: faith, hope, and charity.

With the waning of the Middle Ages and the rise of the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment thought, the influence of Aristotle's virtue ethics declined. Historians of philosophy typically say that virtue ethics was neglected or ignored in the centuries which followed. However, in "The Misfortunes of Virtue" (1990) J.B. Schneewind argues that the fate of virtue ethics was not one of neglect, but instead, one of critique, revision, and eventually abandonment in view of newer accounts of moral obligation. For Schneewind, virtue theory met its greatest challenge with the rise of natural law theory, particularly as put forward by 17th century Dutch philosopher Hugo Grotius. For Grotius, morality involves conforming one's actions to moral laws which are fixed in nature and which even God cannot change. Grotius rejects the role of virtue assigned by Aristotle, and directly criticizes Aristotle's theory on three accounts.

First, Aristotle's doctrine of the mean fails to adequately explain basic moral concepts such as truthfulness and justice. Second, in the case of justice, the agent's particular motive does not matter. All that matters is following proper reason with respect to the rights of others. Third, contrary to Aristotle, the moral agent does not have special moral insight simply because she is virtuous. Instead, morality is fixed in natural laws which can be rationally perceived by all. By the 19th century, the "rule" emphasis of moral theories such as utilitarianism supplanted the character trait emphasis of virtue theory.

Within the past few decades there has been a revived interest in virtue theory, owing to seminal writings by Elizabeth Ans combe and Alasdair MacIntyre. MacIntyre in particular argues that today we have only fragments of conflicting moral traditions, and we need to re-establish the goal or meaning of life towards which ethics is directed. This meaning is established in the context of a moral tradition, particularly one which advocates virtuous character traits.".