Moral character

Definition

Moral character refers to the set of personal qualities and ethical traits that define an individual's behavior and decision-making in moral contexts. It plays a crucial role in virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits, or virtues, that guide one's actions. Understanding moral character helps in contrasting how different ethical frameworks, like consequentialism and deontology, prioritize outcomes and rules over the inherent qualities of the moral agent.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral character is often evaluated through traits such as honesty, integrity, courage, and compassion, which are essential for moral decision-making.
2. In virtue ethics, moral character is viewed as foundational; a person's character influences their choices and actions in various situations.
3. Consequentialism may overlook the significance of moral character since it focuses primarily on outcomes rather than the moral agent's qualities.
4. Deontology places importance on moral duties, but understanding an agent's moral character can provide insight into their commitment to those duties.
5. Philosophers like Aristotle argued that developing a strong moral character is essential for achieving eudaimonia, or human flourishing.

Review Questions

• How does moral character influence decision-making in virtue ethics compared to consequentialism?
  • In virtue ethics, moral character is central to decision-making, as it focuses on the development of virtues that guide an individual's actions. This means that a person with strong moral character will make decisions based on their internal values and virtues. In contrast, consequentialism evaluates decisions primarily by their outcomes, potentially neglecting the importance of the decision-maker's character. Thus, while virtue ethics prioritizes the moral agent's qualities, consequentialism centers on the results of actions.
• What role does moral character play in deontological ethics and how might it affect adherence to moral duties?
  • In deontological ethics, moral character can significantly impact how an individual adheres to their moral duties. A person with strong moral character is likely to follow ethical rules consistently because they align with their internal values. However, someone lacking in moral character may struggle to adhere to these duties even if they recognize their importance. Therefore, understanding an individual's moral character can provide insights into their motivations and reliability in following deontological principles.
• Evaluate how contrasting views on moral character between virtue ethics and consequentialism can inform our understanding of ethical behavior.
  • The contrasting views on moral character between virtue ethics and consequentialism reveal important insights into ethical behavior. Virtue ethics emphasizes that good actions stem from good character traits, suggesting that fostering virtues is essential for ethical living. In contrast, consequentialism suggests that ethical behavior is determined by the outcomes of actions rather than the qualities of the individual performing them. This divergence invites deeper reflection on whether ethical behavior should be rooted in personal integrity or judged solely by its consequences. The discussion helps clarify what we value in ethical reasoning and decision-making.

Related terms

Virtue Ethics:

An ethical framework that focuses on the development of virtuous character traits as the basis for ethical behavior, rather than solely on rules or consequences.

Consequentialism:

An ethical theory that determines the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Deontology:

An ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules or duties, regardless of the consequences of those actions.