HSS LEAP A Practice Test 2026 - Free LEAP A Practice Questions and Study Guide

The approach to ethics that is focused on personal character and virtues of practitioners is known as virtue ethics. This ethical framework emphasizes the importance of an individual's moral character and the cultivation of virtues—traits like honesty, courage, compassion, and wisdom. It suggests that ethical behavior arises from a person's character rather than from rules (as in deontology) or the consequences of actions (as in consequentialism and utilitarianism). Practitioners guided by virtue ethics strive to embody virtues in their actions, fostering ethical behavior through personal development and moral integrity.

This emphasis on character aligns with the notion that moral excellence is integral to ethical practice, making virtue ethics distinct from approaches that prioritize rules or outcomes. In many instances, a virtuous person is more likely to make ethical decisions because their character shapes their understanding of what is right.