ceived in class puts it best, “Virtue is the firm desire to do good for its own sake”. This is one of the better definitions that I have come across. Aristotle’s assessment of the virtue lying amidst the balance of extremes is a little more specific, but a little less sure-fitting. I feel that neither of the two philosophies is complete in itself, or even when blended together. I sometimes try to use a bit of utilitarian ethics. That is, ethics based on the idea that the action that results in the greatest happiness is the greatest good. The goal of this amalgamation of ethical ideas is to form a complete and all encompassing view of moral decisions. This, I feel, gives me the greatest chance of discerning the right from the wrong.The divergent opinions of many of my classmates have led me to believe that the greatest affront to making a morally sound decision depends upon the enormity of the choice. The greater immoral transgressions seem to be committed out of ignorance for what is right or wrong. The lesser, more usual immoralities, such as apathy and gluttony are, pardon the pun, easier to stomach. They are much more likely to be perpetrated without excuse. One of the greatest benefits of disagreement is self-examination. The conclusions that I have formed from ethical reviews shall reverberate in my future behavior and disposition. I will be sure to make more contemplative decisions on larger ethical issues, and try to be more stern and willful in my avoidance of smaller lapses....
