Virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology offer distinct approaches to moral reasoning. While virtue ethics focuses on character and practical wisdom, consequentialism judges actions by outcomes, and deontology bases morality on rules and duties.

These theories provide different frameworks for addressing ethical dilemmas. Virtue ethics considers what a person of good character would do, consequentialism weighs overall outcomes, and deontology applies moral rules to determine right action.

Character vs Actions

Virtue Ethics Focuses on Moral Character

• Virtue ethics emphasizes the moral character of the agent, focusing on virtues like courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom
• It holds that cultivating virtuous character traits (honesty, compassion) leads to moral actions
• For virtue ethicists, a right action flows from good character
• Virtue ethicists focus on the agent's character development and what virtues like courage demand in a given situation (standing up for justice even in the face of danger)

Consequentialism Judges Actions Based on Outcomes

• Consequentialism judges the morality of an action based solely on its consequences or outcomes, not the character of the agent
• The most well-known form is utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize overall happiness or well-being
• For consequentialists, good consequences define the right action regardless of character
• Consequentialists focus on promoting the best overall state of affairs from an impartial perspective (policies that raise living standards for the most people)
• Consequentialists rely on a single principle (maximize good consequences) to determine right actions

Virtue Ethics vs Deontology

Deontology Bases Morality on Rules and Duties

• Deontology bases morality on adherence to moral rules or duties, such as "don't lie" or "respect autonomy"
• These rules define right actions independent of consequences
• For deontologists, the intention behind an action determines its morality (telling the truth because it is one's duty, even if it causes harm)
• Deontology provides clear, universally-applicable moral rules (prohibitions on murder, theft, etc.)

Virtue Ethics Focuses on Character and Practical Wisdom

• Virtue ethics focuses on character rather than rules
• Virtue ethicists look at character and practical wisdom in judging actions, not just intentions
• Virtue ethics acknowledges the complexity of moral life and the need for judgment in applying virtues
• Virtue ethics provides a plurality of virtues that may conflict, requiring practical wisdom to resolve (balancing honesty and compassion)
• Some argue virtue and deontological approaches are complementary - good character disposes us to follow sound moral rules, and moral rules help shape character

Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

Strengths of Virtue Ethics

• A key strength of virtue ethics is its emphasis on moral education and development of good character, not just right action
• It recognizes the importance of moral upbringing, role models, and habituation
• Virtue ethics better reflects the complexity of moral life, acknowledging a plurality of virtues and the need for practical judgment
• This contrasts with the rigid "top-down" approach of deontology and consequentialism
• Some argue virtue ethics provides a more compelling account of moral motivation (we are inspired by moral exemplars like Gandhi or MLK to be better people)

Weaknesses and Challenges for Virtue Ethics

• Virtue ethics faces the challenge of defining and justifying the virtues
• Lists of virtues differ across thinkers and cultures (ancient Greeks vs. Confucians vs. Christians)
• The focus on character vs. action guidance is both a strength and weakness
• Virtue ethics is less determinate in resolving moral dilemmas (what would a courageous person do in this case?)
• Consequentialists object that virtue ethics fails to adequately consider consequences
• Deontologists argue it neglects moral rules and the special status of duties

Ethical Theories for Moral Dilemmas

Applying Virtue Ethics to Moral Dilemmas

• In a given case, a virtue ethicist would focus on what course of action a person of good character would take
• They consider what virtues like courage, justice or compassion require in that situation
• Regarding the permissibility of torture to gain life-saving information, a virtue ethicist would ask whether torture is compatible with virtues like compassion and justice
• They would examine whether a good person would choose torture even for a good end
• For dilemmas like environmental protection vs. economic costs, a virtue ethicist would consider what virtues like temperance, humility and love of nature require

Applying Consequentialism and Deontology to Moral Dilemmas

• Consequentialists would choose the action that produces the best overall consequences
• Considering a classic dilemma like lying to protect someone from harm, a consequentialist would favor lying if it produces a better outcome
• Regarding torture, a consequentialist would weigh the harms of torture against lives potentially saved
• For environmental dilemmas, a consequentialist would weigh overall harms and benefits
• Deontologists would apply moral rules against lying, killing, torture, etc.
• Regarding lying to prevent harm, a deontologist would likely object that lying violates a fundamental duty of truthfulness
• On torture, a deontologist would likely argue torture violates human dignity and autonomy, so is wrong regardless of consequences
• For duties to the environment, a deontologist would consider if we have categorical duties to future generations or non-human life