Ethical Virtues vs Moral Virtues
Ethical virtues are more specific than moral virtues. Ethical virtues, like honesty, focus on individual actions that align with a particular ethical code. Moral virtues, like kindness or bravery, are broader in scope and encompass many different types of behaviour. For example, someone who is honest might also be kind; however, someone who is kind might not always be honest. This difference between ethical and moral virtues can help us understand why it’s important to consider both when evaluating an individual’s character.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics can be traced back to Aristotle, who considered virtue an end rather than merely the means to some other end. While other approaches to ethics often focus on what people ought to do to achieve their ends, virtue ethics focuses on virtues and how virtuous behaviour can contribute to happiness and fulfillment in life. Virtue ethics stresses the importance of developing good habits that align with one’s values, and understanding that your actions reflect who you are and influence who you will become.