Moral defects and virtues are contrasted and compared in five pages with definitions provided, religious precepts and concepts of David Hume also included. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
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Humes ideas as well as precepts from various religions are discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources. SA141mor.rtf Truth, honesty, justice, and compassion are thought of as
moral virtues but greed, pride, anger and envy are considered to be moral defects. While that is clearly what the mainstream accepts, one has to ask why that is the
case, or if that is true at all. What makes the first four characteristics virtuous and the last four defects? What are the differences between virtues and defects?
In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle talks about his doctrine of the mean suggesting that virtue is a state of character that is concerned with choice
(Baumlin, 1994). Aristotle sees virtue as choice and so morally correct action results from those who are virtuous. In other words, character is important and if one is virtuous he
or she will make the correct choices in life. One can also say that when one is virtuous, their actions are virtuous, but on that other hand, that might
be illusive. Some people will lie to appear virtuous for example, but some will lie because they believe that a lie will be beneficial in the long run. Do the
ends justify the means? Can virtue be whittled down to intrinsic right or wrong, or what one might do based upon his or her own sense of morality?
There is always argument about what is right and what is wrong. Is lying intrinsically bad? Some might argue that lying is wrong
in any circumstance, but it does seem that lying is necessary, it serves the greater good of society and finally, it is simply a realty of life. It must be