Ethics and Virtue Ethics
Ethics may be characterized as an agreed code of conduct for a particular community and its meaning cannot be widely accepted. The key purpose of this article is to quickly explore the concept of virtue ethics (Kant 5). As a consequence, in addressing the purpose of the paper, Kart's theory will be applied, various conceptions of moral values will be established, and finally the applicability of ethics in relation to the Catholic leader during the catastrophic Mexico earthquake that fully shattered the nation to the core, theory Kant's and the philosophy of virtue ethics.
Kant's Moral Philosophy and Categorical Imperative
Kant's moral philosophy is based on the Categorical Imperative (CI) theory. The CI is Kant's supreme principle of morality which categorizes actions and motives as either rational or irrational (Kant 23). The morality theory is established on three main building blocks which include ultraism, political and social theory. Utilitarianism is a philosophy which categorizes actions as either right or wrong depending on emotions they evoke in humans. An action is classified as right if it brings gladness. Happiness should be to both the performer of the act and the affected persons. Conferring to the theory, people have the duty to perform good will, which refers to the concept of duty which automatically and essentially obeys the concept of duty (Kant 25).
Subsequently, the virtue of ethic in reference to Kant implies acting out of duty. Therefore, Kant's ideas are based on the notion of duty, goodwill, and nature of imperatives. Kant does not approve of the irrational acts terming them as immoral. Instead, Kant insisted that a society should be founded social constructs that promote morality and free will (Kant 54).
Difference between Virtue Ethics, Divine Command Theory, Egoism and Moral Relativism
Ethical egoism is based on the un-moralized account of self-interest (Curren 517). It holds the perspective that moral agents ought to pursue their self-interests. The Divine Command Theory views morality through the lenses of God's command (Bara 67). Therefore, a person is deemed to be moral if they acknowledge and follow God's commands; otherwise, they are held as immoral. Moreover, it asserts that social truthfulness is determined in comparison to God's command (Mill 63). Virtue ethics differ from moral relativism in that the latter standardizes what is ethical regardless of an individual's position or perspective. Moral relativism views morality as subjective to persons.
Difference between Virtue and Vice
Virtue refers to the ability of a person to discern the difference between good and bad. Some examples include compassion, kindness, loyalty, truthfulness, and justice (Mill 63). Vice forms the exact opposite of virtue because it represents the immoral thoughts and behaviorism of a person and may include cruelty, greed, malice, and arrogance. Vice is acquired in stages in life, making the possessor deviant in society; however, they are deficiencies to a person making them unwanted and condemned in the community (Kucukuysal and Erhan 50).
Pope Francis' Virtuous Deeds
Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and president of the Vatican. He leads members of the Catholic Church, providing guidance and spiritual nourishment. The pope intervened in a recent situation of natural disaster to provide help to the suffering masses. Mexico in September was hard hit by an earthquake of 7.1 magnitudes, leaving the victims in a devastating situation while others succumbed to the tragedy. The Pope donated up to $150,000 to fund relief efforts with priority on the worst-hit areas. Furthermore, he interceded through prayers for the victims by praying for a successful rescue mission to mitigate the loss of lives of the affected people.
Empathy and Compassion
Pope showed compassion to the affected people of Mexico who were affected by the earthquake. He donated funds to alleviate the suffering. He also felt sorry for the sufferings including loss of lives and properties sharing in their grief (Curren 516).
Generosity and Charity
The concept refers to the act of giving and helping individuals who are experiencing a challenge or difficulties like an epidemic or a natural disaster wholeheartedly. Additionally, it may also refer to assist people with resources and commendable acts. Pope Francis showed generosity to the earthquake victims in Mexico by making a donation of $150,000; which was used to rescue and search for the victims who were trapped in the debris (Bara 67). He was not subjective to offer his assistance but only did it out of his conscious and moral virtue.
Truthfulness to Christian Belief
Truthfulness implies staying loyal to one's beliefs and principles. Christianity preaches love and care for people. Pope Francis showed love by being close and concerned about the suffering of people, praying for them and donating funds (Mill 63).
Conclusion
The paper examined Kant's theory of virtue and ethics. Different perspectives and aspects of the theory were also reviewed. Different concepts enshrined in the theory were discussed in relation to morality and ethics and how individuals perceive between good and bad. Consequently, Kant's theory was reviewed in respect to the pope.
Work Cited
Bara, Zoltan. "The Obligations of the Christian Believers in the Works of Saint John Chrysostom." Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Theologia Catholica Latina, Vol. 2 (2010): 67.
Curren, Randall. "Aristotelian versus virtue ethical character education." Journal of Moral Education, vol. 45, no.4, (2016): 516-526.
Kant, Immanuel. Immanuel Kant's critique of pure reason. Read Books Ltd, (2013): 2-328.
Kucukuysal, Bahadır, and Erhan Beyhan. "Virtue ethics in Aristotle's Nicomachean ethics." Journal of Human Sciences, Vol. 8, no. 2, (2011): 43-51.
Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. Longmans, Green and Company, (1901): 21-280.
