According to Virtue Ethics, what determines the morality of an action?

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Question: According to Virtue Ethics, what determines the morality of an action?

Option a: 'Whether the action can be universalized' — This resembles a Kantian idea (the Categorical Imperative) about universalizability, not a core focus of Virtue Ethics. Virtue Ethics emphasizes character traits and flourishing rather than testing actions for universal law.

Option b: 'The character of the person performing the action' — This aligns with Virtue Ethics, which assesses morality by examining whether a person with virtuous character would perform the action. The emphasis is on virtues, vices, and the agent's character in relation to the action.

Option c: 'The consequences of the action' — This is a common focus in Consequentialism or Utilitarianism, where the moral value is determined by outcomes. Virtue Ethics, by contrast, centers on virtuous dispositions rather than merely predicting or valuing consequences.

Option d: 'The rules governing the action' — This reflects deontological or rule-based ethics, where morality rests on adherence to rules or duties. Virtue Ethics does not primarily judge actions by external rules but by the character and the cultivation of virtues.

In summary, option b best captures the distinctive emphasis of Virtue Ethics on the agent's character as the determinant of moral action, while the other options point to competing ethical frameworks that focus on universality, outcomes, or rules rather than virtue-centered character.

According to Virtue Ethics, what determines the morality of an action?

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