There are doubtless many people in the world that behave morally in some aspects of life and immorally in other scenarios. They choose when to be guided by their moral compass and when to ignore it. How can a person such as this ever become a just person in society? The person can start on the path of being just by not focusing as much on following a moral compass, which may be subjective, but instead on following objective concepts central to nearly all theories of morality. These would be the requirements of the use of reason and impartiality. Together, these two notions make up the minimum conception morality (Rachels 13). The person should also appeal to virtues in order to have the character necessary to be just. This path to being just
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Without reason, conclusions are made from feelings alone. Feelings can, most certainly, differ from person to person. They also can be clouded by prejudice, selfishness, cultural conditioning, as well as a multitude of other things (Rachels 10). Unfortunately, most people believe morality is derived from nothing more than what they feel (Matteson). This is often referred to as a moral compass. Most behave according to what their moral compass dictates, that is if they wish to be “moral”, and it is generally frowned upon to behave in a manner that goes against one’s moral compass. In addition, there is typically disapproval from someone or some group if an action goes against that particular individual’s or group’s compass, even if it is not against the compass of the person actually doing the action. Some might instinctively feel, for example, that euthanasia is wrong. Others might think their moral compasses say that it is right. Those opposed to it would claim that …show more content…
Just is defined as being based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair (“Definition of Just in English” ). In order for a person to be so then, they must be virtuous. There are many virtues that are crucial in order to be considered a virtuous person. These virtues are to be a mean between two extremes, and the mean is to be relative to ourselves (“Aristotle”). The particular virtues each person should have can also vary person to person depending on the life of the person. This allows Virtue Ethics to be a flexible and easily adaptable theory. In being just, fairness would clearly be a necessary virtue as it is even stated in the definition of just. Other of the virtues closely tied with morality such as benevolence, civility, honesty, tolerance, and many more would be required as well. Virtue Ethics alone cannot tell one exactly what action to do, which is typically considered what morality is by the standards of today, but instead how to be (Rachels 169). How to be, nevertheless, was thought by the philosopher Aristotle to be central to ethics (Rachels 157). One will behave accordingly to how they are so that is what makes it an vital aspect of morality, and by extension, being just. The person who turns their moral compass on and off should strive to be virtuous. The various virtues necessary should be determined and made habits of
Without reason, conclusions are made from feelings alone. Feelings can, most certainly, differ from person to person. They also can be clouded by prejudice, selfishness, cultural conditioning, as well as a multitude of other things (Rachels 10). Unfortunately, most people believe morality is derived from nothing more than what they feel (Matteson). This is often referred to as a moral compass. Most behave according to what their moral compass dictates, that is if they wish to be “moral”, and it is generally frowned upon to behave in a manner that goes against one’s moral compass. In addition, there is typically disapproval from someone or some group if an action goes against that particular individual’s or group’s compass, even if it is not against the compass of the person actually doing the action. Some might instinctively feel, for example, that euthanasia is wrong. Others might think their moral compasses say that it is right. Those opposed to it would claim that …show more content…
Just is defined as being based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair (“Definition of Just in English” ). In order for a person to be so then, they must be virtuous. There are many virtues that are crucial in order to be considered a virtuous person. These virtues are to be a mean between two extremes, and the mean is to be relative to ourselves (“Aristotle”). The particular virtues each person should have can also vary person to person depending on the life of the person. This allows Virtue Ethics to be a flexible and easily adaptable theory. In being just, fairness would clearly be a necessary virtue as it is even stated in the definition of just. Other of the virtues closely tied with morality such as benevolence, civility, honesty, tolerance, and many more would be required as well. Virtue Ethics alone cannot tell one exactly what action to do, which is typically considered what morality is by the standards of today, but instead how to be (Rachels 169). How to be, nevertheless, was thought by the philosopher Aristotle to be central to ethics (Rachels 157). One will behave accordingly to how they are so that is what makes it an vital aspect of morality, and by extension, being just. The person who turns their moral compass on and off should strive to be virtuous. The various virtues necessary should be determined and made habits of