Developing Virtue as

Habit: Towards Moral

Character Development
 Rachel (2007)
Stated that the central questions that we
should consider in discussing the ethics of
virtue and the ethics of right action are about
character. He based this idea to Aristotle's
Nicomachean Ethics.
 What is Virtue?
Based on Aristotle, virtue is a
trait of characters manifested in
habitual action. It means that
one acquires virtues by
repeatedly doing an act. Aris t o t l e
But is this enough? Isn't it that vices
are likewise a product of repeated
acts?
Vices are also traits of character manifested in
habitual action. One thing is clear from this
distinction, that it is both virtues and vices are
results of habits or repeated acts. The difference
lies on the quality of actions. Virtue is a trait of
manifested in habitual good acts, while vice refer
to a trait of character manifested in habitual evil
acts.
Aristotle discussed virtues such
as courage, self-control,
generosity, and truthfulness.
These virtues once practiced
will lead towards moral
character development. If one
wishes to acquire these virtues,
he must repeatedly perform
actions that define them.
For Aristotle, both extremes are
bad, thus, moderation is the key
to being virtuous. Thus,
courage as a virtue is a mean
between extremes of cowardice
and foolhardiness; and
generosity stands between
stinginess and extravagance.
Some of these theories as cited by Rachel (2007) are:

1. Ethical Egoism: 2. Utilitarianism:

• Each person ought to do • We ought to do whatever
whatever will best will promote the greatest
promote his or her own happiness for the greatest
interests. number.
 3.
Kant's Theory:
• Our duty is to follow rules that
we could consistently will to
be universal laws- that is rules
that we would be willing to
have followed by all people in
all circumstances (categorical
imperative)
4.
Social Contract Theory:
• The right thing to do is to
follow the rules that
rational, self-interested
people can agree to for
their mutual benefit.
Thanks for
listening!