Virtue Ethics (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Virtue Ethics

• Traditional ethics includes three major approaches:

  • Virtue ethics

  • Consequentialist ethics

  • Rights-based ethics

• These ethical approaches differ in their basic beliefs about what makes actions right or wrong and how they decide if something is ethical or not

Virtue ethics overview

• Virtue ethics places emphasis on the character of the individual performing the action, rather than only focusing on the consequences of the action or whether or not the individual is closely following moral rules

  • In other words, virtue ethics cares more about the kind of person you are than the outcomes of what you do, or sticking to rigid ethical guidelines

• Central to virtue ethics is the belief that a virtuous person will naturally tend to act in morally good ways, guided by their internal virtues and moral character

Key virtues

• There are a few fundamental virtues that play a central role in guiding ethical conduct (i.e. actions and behaviours) within virtue ethics:

  • Respect:

    • This involves recognising the inherent worth and dignity of all living beings and treating them well

    • For example, showing respect for the environment by conserving natural resources and protecting biodiversity

    • Another example might be companies implementing environmentally sustainable practices to minimise their ecological footprint and preserve fragile ecosystems

  • Compassion:

    • This involves empathising with the suffering of others and being motivated to alleviate it (i.e. to minimise suffering)

    • For example, participating in humanitarian efforts to aid communities affected by environmental disasters

    • Another example might be individuals volunteering for reforestation projects or wildlife conservation initiatives to protect endangered species and their habitats

  • Responsibility:

    • This involves acknowledging one's duty to fulfil obligations (i.e. the duties expected of someone) and being accountable for one's actions and their consequences

    • For example, taking personal responsibility for reducing one's carbon footprint through lifestyle changes and advocating for environmental policies

    • Another example might be governments enacting policies and regulations aimed at mitigating climate change and promoting renewable energy sources to ensure a sustainable future for current and future generations

Applying virtue ethics to environmental actions

• In the context of environmental ethics, virtue ethics emphasises the importance of demonstrating virtues such as respect, compassion and responsibility towards the natural world

  • Actions that embody these virtues, such as sustainable resource management, conservation efforts and environmental advocacy, would be considered ethically commendable by this ethical framework