Challenges to Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics does not conveniently fall within the 'deontological' or 'teleological' categories due to its focus on the characteristics of a person

• Its links with Aristotle and Aquinas have caused some to question whether it is a form of Natural Law
• Some see it as more of a teleological system because of its focus on achieving eudaimonia

Virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour

• Virtue Ethics can be seen to be arbitrary, imprecise and vague because it lacks a focus on real behaviour in relation to real-life situations
• More guidance is required if it is to be an effective moral system

There is too much dependence on the goodness of others

• It is …