Question

For tourists, the Famous Wishing Pond is a receptacle for countless coins tossed; but for John Doe, the pond was a steady source of income. Using rake, magnet, and bare hands, Mr. Doe collected by night the coins tossed by day.

Mr. Doe had been fishing the fountain for over 30 years before he was finally arrested. Although police had long known about Mr. Doe and his activity, they had viewed him with amusement and had ignored his daily dips into the pond. However, early this year, a new law made it illegal to wade into city monuments like the Famous Wishing Pond. Mr. Doe was issued a series of warnings for breaking this law. When the police began monitoring Mr. Doe’s dips into the pond, they realised that a significant sum of money could have disappeared with him over the years.

In his own defence, Mr. Doe claimed he shared most of the money with other needy people. He also correctly pointed out that, if he didn’t loot the pond, either the money will be wasted in the pond, or someone else surely would have loot it—and, unlike Mr. Doe, it is very unlikely for them to share their money.

According to Virtue Ethics, is it morally wrong for Mr. Doe to retrieve the coins from the Famous Wishing Pond (1%)? Illustrate your answer clearly by discussing how Virtue Ethicsevaluates actions (8% [2 points of theory] + 8% [2 points of application] = 16%).

Answer 1

According to virtue ethics it emphasize more on the character, nature and honesty of a being. Unlike utilitarianism it's actions are more focused than outcomes.

Mr Doe's doing under virtue ethics would considered wrong as his actions are account for loot, this shows the honesty of Mr Doe for himself and the characteristics he shows is of a thief or stealing things.

Moral values have degraded in this case as it contains negative skills of action.

Virtue ethics can rotate the world by encouraging morals into our lives and thus decreasing bad elements in sorrounding.