Chapter 4: Virtue Ethics
Overview
Virtue Ethics is a moral theory that focuses on the development of good character. Rather than asking “What should I do?” this approach asks “What kind of person should I be?” It emphasizes the development of personal virtues and character traits such as honesty, courage, and fairness through practice in daily life and professional contexts. From a virtue ethics standpoint, ethical behaviour is a reflection of a person’s moral character.
In the business context, Virtue Ethics translates to a focus on cultivating excellent character traits within individuals and organizations, moving beyond mere adherence to regulations or the sole pursuit of outcomes like profit. Business ethicist Robert C. Solomon proposed that by practicing virtues such as those listed above and others — including trustworthiness and courage — individuals would develop the personal integrity that he believed was crucial for corporate success.
Core Concepts
- Virtues: Positive character traits like honesty, prudence, courage, and compassion
- Moral character: The foundation for ethical behaviour, shaped over time through experience and reflection
- Practical wisdom (phronesis): The ability to make sound judgments in real-life situations
- Habit and practice: Virtues are developed through repetition, role models, and intentional effort
- Human flourishing (eudaimonia): Living a meaningful, ethically rich life
In Practice
Ethical Lens: Acting with Integrity at Tech Solutions
Facing financial pressure, Tech Solutions is considering cutting paid parental leave and flexible work policies. A virtue ethics approach focuses on the kind of organization Tech Solutions wants to be. Would a company committed to virtues such as fairness, prudence, and compassion remove benefits that directly support employee well-being? A virtuous organization might instead seek alternative cost-saving measures that align with its values, reinforcing trust and integrity within the workplace.
Watch: This short video introduces the core ideas behind Virtue Ethics and its focus on developing good moral character. (3 minutes)
Quick Check
Foundational Theorists
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Greek philosopher Aristotle is widely recognized as a founding father of virtue ethics in the Western tradition. He believed that moral character and virtues are developed through habitual practice and repeated action.
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In the East, Chinese philosopher Confucius is regarded as one of the most well known virtue ethicists.
References:
Athanassoulis, N. (n.d.). Virtue Ethics. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://iep.utm.edu/virtue/.
Hursthouse, R. (2022). Virtue Ethics. In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/.
Solomon, R. C. (2003). A better way to think about business: How personal integrity leads to corporate success. Oxford University Press.
Phronesis is a Greek term that translates to practical wisdom, encompassing the ideas of prudence and common sense. Rooted in Ancient Greek philosophy, it is viewed as an intellectual virtue that not only involves knowing the right course of action but also understanding why it is the right choice. This concept was notably developed by Aristotle, who categorized virtues into intellectual and ethical types, placing phronesis as a key element of practical reasoning. He argued that phronesis is acquired through lived experiences and is essential for making sound moral decisions. Aristotle believed that individuals must first develop good habits in childhood and later learn to apply practical wisdom as they mature. The influence of phronesis extends into modern discussions, particularly in business and research, where ethical decision-making is paramount. In this context, phronesis encourages consideration of the processes and implications involved in decision-making, emphasizing the importance of both the means and the outcomes. Overall, phronesis serves as a foundation for good judgment and character, fostering moral and ethical behaviour in various aspects of life. Source: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/phronesis
Eudaimonia is about individual happiness; according to Deci and Ryan (2006: 2), it maintains that:
“…wellbeing is not so much an outcome or end state as it is a process of fulfilling or realizing one’s daimon or true nature—that is, of fulfilling one’s virtuous potentials and living as one was inherently intended to live.”
