I choose virtue ethics as one of the five major perspectives of moral reasoning as being most closely related to my personal views. Virtue ethics is an approach that looks at the principles which are more concerned about the behavior of the moral agents, instead of the set principles or consequences; as the fundamental part of ethical thinking. Ethics on the other hand are the definitions concerned with the query of what is bad or good with regard to human behavior (Fisher, 2001, p. 201).
From a personal point of view, virtue ethics is the best of the perspectives of moral reasoning as it is widely accepted for its concern on what causes the problem; and not how to tackle a problem as it arises as expected by the laid down rules and principles. Further, virtue ethics is not often concerned about the laid down rules which the people have to follow; but instead emphasizes assisting the people in developing good behavioral traits like kindheartedness and generosity.
In addition, these character traits are the ones that generally help individuals arrive at the right choices and decisions in the course of life. Additionally, there is the need for people to gain knowledge on how to stop the practice of bad character traits such as anger and greed; which are explained and described as vices that prevent an individual from becoming a good, well oriented human being (Fisher, 2001, p. 15).
Further, when people obtain good behaviors of character and get to apply them to their daily actions they attain a good position within the society; for they are capable of controlling their reasoning as well as inclinations and emotions. Mostly this is the case because we let our emotions control the human nature in us; instead of us as personalities controlling these emotions and inclinations. Additionally, it should be noted that the outcomes of the actions which are done under emotions are regrettable.
For instance when one is greedy over something; it is unable for them to consider his or her neighbor’s feelings and the final outcome of their actions since they act under the drive of selfish emotions and desires. Further, when people are driven by good habits of moral fiber development orientations they are able to make morally correct decisions; whenever the surrounding factors or variables they are faced by, at the time of making these decisions (Moore & Parker, 2007, p. 57).
Virtue ethics are very important for they play a major role in our comprehension of morality for they place emphasis on the central role carried on by motives within various moral inquiries. So as to take action from virtue it should be considered to do something from a number of particular inclinational motivations. Therefore to argue that given virtues are mandatory for arriving at morally correct choices is to mean that ethical choices require the fundamental drive to be the acceptable intentions. As a result, giving encouragement of the right motivations is over and over again a key constituent of the ethical teachings to young people. Further, it is good that we should desire some of the outcomes as well as having the drive to meet other goals through our actions and decisions (Moore & Parker, 2007, p. 8).
Virtue ethics is very attractive for it focuses on the moral agent’s character rather than the guiding principles and consequences related to the case of ethical thinking towards decisionmaking. In addition, virtue ethics theories assure us that provided that we are successfully decided on what kind of people we would like to be; reaching at the correct ethical choice comes automatically and naturally. Further, when making decisions we should be led by virtues such as wisdom, fairness, temperance and bravery (Fisher, 2001, p. 201).
In conclusion, virtue ethics are the only angle of thinking which can make an individual be a complete human being through reasoning. This is because through virtue ethics one forgets his or her personal gains and instead they embrace their heart of tolerance, generosity thus becoming kind and favorable to the other people.
Reference list
Fisher, A. (2001). Critical thinking. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moore, B. & Parker, R. (2007). Critical thinking, custom 8th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Press.