Confucian Ethics as Virtue Ethics

Confucian ethics can be viewed as a form of virtue ethics, which shifts the focus from strict moral duties or outcomes to the development of moral character. This approach emphasizes virtues such as courage, justice, and generosity, suggesting that a virtuous person inherently knows how to act appropriately across various situations. Notably, both Aristotle and Confucianism highlight the Doctrine of the Mean, which proposes that each virtue lies between two vices, promoting balance in moral character. In Confucian philosophy, this idea is reflected in the teachings of Kong Tzu, who asserts that adhering to the mean is essential for achieving virtue.