Virtues

Ethics
Presented By : Jaybien Mampusti
Kathlyn Jambalos
John Amiel Pere
 What is virtue ethics?

Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by

Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the
quest to understand and live a life of moral
character.
This character-based approach to morality
assumes that we acquire virtue through
practice.
 Who is Socrates?

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher

who is credited with western philosophy.
He is known for creating socratic irony
and the socratic method. He has had
profound influence on western
philosophy, along with his student Plato
and Aristotle.
 Ethical Philosophy
Socrates ethical philosophy primarily revolved around the concept of virtue and
knowledge. He believed that no one does evil knowingly, and that virtue is
knowledge.
Critique on Socrates’ Philosophy
Socrates posited 3 special tenets in his moral philosophy.
Virtue is identical with knowledge
Vice is identical with ignorance
No one commits an evil act knowingly

Socrates stand on the third tenet states that “no one commits an evil act knowingly
and doing wrong arises out of ignorance.” The reason for this is that sometimes, a
person may have knowledge but he deliberately commits an evil act to satisfy his
hidden motive.
 Business Application

In business world, employees makes critical decisions

that have impacts on operation of the company. The
result might lead uncertainty. For example, when a
private company is contemplating giving an increase in
salaries to its employees. The moral issue here lies
impact of the increase on the families of the
employees rather than on the continued operation of the
company due to diversion of funds.
 Who is Plato?

Plato was a renowned ancient Greek

philosopher and one of the most significant
figures in the history of Western philosophy.
He was born in Athens, Greece, and came from
a wealthy and aristocratic family. Plato was a
student of Socrates, another influential
philosopher, and he went on to become a
teacher and a prolific writer.
 Ethical Philosophy
Plato’s ethical philosophy emphasizes the importance of
knowledge, wisdom and the pursuit of the good as fundamental
to leading a virtuous and fulfilling life.

Critique on Plato’s Philosophy

Knowing the forms for Plato, there are internal or universal
principles and perfect ideas. Plato maintained that all things
in the physical world are symbols of these perfect Forms in the
World of Ideas. And since these Forms are symbol, the world is
not a true reality.
 Business Application

Plato ethical theories can be applied in business. For

example, in business decision making, an outcome is
acceptable only if it is done in the light of reasonable
process according to Plato’s concept of a virtuous act. For
Plato, the right action, and thus, a moral action is one that
is guided by reason. In addition, Plato believes that a
reasonable and a virtuous action is one that is not
dominated by the evil or the appetite of the person.
 Who is Aristotle?
Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and one
of the most influential figures in the history of
Western philosophy. He was born in Stagira, a Greek
city in what is now modern-day Macedonia, and he
became a student of Plato, another renowned
philosopher.
Aristotle went on to develop his own comprehensive
philosophical system and made significant
contributions to various fields of knowledge,
including ethics, metaphysics, politics, biology, and
logic.
 Ethical Philosophy
Aristotle’s ethical philosophy is often referred to as virtue ethics and focuses on the
development of moral character and virtues to achieve a good and fulfilling life.

Critique on Aristotle’s Philosophy

According to Aristotle, we must take the middle way or the mean between two extremes.
Aristotle also rejected all forms of imbalance. We must not only develop our minds but also our
body. Virtue comes from the ability to govern excessive or lack of feelings. Any extremes
would lead to vice. Thus, virtue comes from the
mean between these extremes. The Golden Mean Principle simply states that “to be happy one
must live a life of moderation”

This means in everything that we do, we must avoid doing the extremes.
Extreme
Moderate Setting
Extrem
 Business Application

The principle of Aristotle has many application in business

decision
The Principle of Moderation can also be used in determining
and planning for profit in business.
Virtuous conduct is important in decision making but also in
maintaining moral ascendancy and personal integrity.
Success in business is not only measured in terms of profit
but also by the company’s moral integrity and credibility.
Thank you