Virtue ethics 

is an approach to ethics that emphasizes the character of the moral agent, rather than rules
or consequences, as the key element of ethical thinking. This contrasts with consequentialism, which
holds that the consequences of a particular act form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that
action, and deontology, which derives rightness or wrongness from the character of the act itself rather
than the outcomes.

Aristotle: a virtue is a trait of character manifested in habitual action.

The moral virtues are the virtues of persons as such. Virtue is a trait of character,
manifested in habitual action, that is good for a person to have.
Objectives of virtue ethics:

Moral Motivation. Virtue ethics is appealing because it provides a natural and

attractive account of moral motivation. The other theories seem deficient on this
score.
Theories of ethics that emphasize only right action will never provide a
completely satisfactory account of the moral life.

Within the field of social ethics, Deirdre McCloskey argues that virtue ethics can provide a basis for a
balanced approach to understanding capitalism and capitalist societies. Within the field of philosophy of
education, James Page argues that virtue ethics can provide a rationale and foundation for peace
education. Thomas Alured Faunce has argued that whistleblowing in the healthcare setting would be
more respected within clinical governance pathways if it had a firmer academic foundation in virtue
ethics. He has argued that whistleblowing should have been expressly supported in
the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.

 Some advantages of Virtue Ethics

1)      Explains moral motivation

 Emphasizes person qualities such as friendship, love, and loyalty

2)      Brings up doubts about the ideal of impartiality

 Utilitarianism says every person’s interests are equal

 This seems to go against our natural feelings towards family, friends, ourselves
 Is impartiality such an important feature of moral life after all?