Business Ethics
Virtue ethics focuses on the internal motivation that directs an individual towards realizing the end and not the rules or consequences. Virtues are the qualities that a person possesses that helps them to improve their performance at a given task. For the theory of virtue to work, then the theory of conduct is crucial. The right conduct is prior to ethics of virtue to determine the criteria for right actions. A good act is defined regarding rightness or appropriateness. This, therefore, implies that right is prior to good or good is defined in terms of right.
Problems with applying virtue theory to ethics in business
Applying the theory of ethics to business may become difficult when individuals involved do not care about being virtuous. It is also difficult to determine a virtuous person if there is no prior commitment to be good, for instance an individual who smokes marijuana and drinks a lot of beer. But, however, relates well to other people and does not hurt a single person, one is left wondering if this is considered morally wrong. Another critic is that virtue ethics is contrary to morality, how to interact and treat each other. This is because virtue ethics concentrates on the self. This involves developing an individual character and flourishing. This makes virtue ethics to be self-centered and self regarding, which is against morality. It encourages people to act honestly, bravely and kindly for the well being of themselves. Another criticism of the virtue ethics is that, it relies so much on the contingencies these are the variable circumstances of situations. It, therefore, fails to give guidance on how individuals should behave when encountered with practical problems. This, therefore, implies that virtue ethics fail to be action-guiding. Lastly, virtue ethics fail to take into consideration the external factors that may influence the development of virtues. The external forces may influence the development of vices instead of virtues. In a situation where an individual is surrounded by role models, the person will most likely develop virtuous behavior. On the other hand, if a person’s enviroment has negative influences then vices will develop.
These arguments, however, are not enough to warrant the abandonment of the virtue theory in the business ethics, even if it has shortcomings. This is because virtue theory has a lot of strengths too. Virtue theory takes into consideration the individual’s whole life. Besides, it centers ethics on a person and exactly what it means to be human. Besides, virtue theory supplies an internal motivation which is a good way of obtaining a better outcome. It is widely known that intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is doing something because it is enjoyable while extrinsic motivation is doing something driven by either rewards or fear of consequences. Virtue theory supplies individuals with an intrinsic principle which is more important than rules. Virtue ethics also provide a means of integrating and internalizing rules into an individual behavior, therefore making the rules more effective. Virtue theory is a powerful way of reinforcing the rules and regulation. In addition, a virtue theory approach places emphasis on what a good person ought to do and removes the focus on rules put in place. The theory encourages the development of virtues such as honesty, sincerity, courage, loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability, sensitivity, benevolence, civility, decency, cheerfulness and liveliness. Lastly, it emphasizes on the need to flourish a virtue.
Works Cited
Blackburn, Margaret and Peter McGhee. ""Talking virtue: Professionalism in business and virtue ethics." ." Global Virtue Ethics Review 5.4 (2004): 90-122.
