What are the main differences between consequentialism and virtue ethics?

Consequentialism and virtue ethics are two distinct ethical theories that approach moral decision-making from different perspectives. While consequentialism focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions, virtue ethics emphasizes the character and virtues of the moral agent. Here are the main differences between these two ethical theories:

1. Focus:
- Consequentialism: Consequentialism is primarily concerned with the consequences or outcomes of actions. It evaluates the morality of an action based on the overall net balance of its consequences, particularly in terms of maximizing overall happiness or well-being.
- Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics, on the other hand, places emphasis on the character and virtues of the moral agent rather than the consequences of actions. It focuses on developing virtuous traits and habits that lead to moral behavior.

2. Evaluation of Actions:
- Consequentialism: Consequentialism evaluates the morality of actions solely based on their outcomes. It holds that an action is morally right if it produces the best overall consequences or maximizes utility, regardless of the intentions or character of the agent.
- Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics evaluates the morality of actions based on the character and virtues of the moral agent. It emphasizes that an action is morally right if it is consistent with virtuous traits such as honesty, courage, compassion, and justice, regardless of the consequences.

3. Moral Decision-Making:
- Consequentialism: Consequentialism focuses on the calculation of the expected consequences of actions. It requires individuals to consider the potential outcomes and choose the action that maximizes overall happiness or well-being.
- Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of virtuous character traits. It encourages individuals to develop and embody virtues through moral education and practice, enabling them to make morally right decisions based on their virtuous character.

4. Moral Motivation:
- Consequentialism: Consequentialism primarily focuses on the consequences of actions, often disregarding the intentions or motivations behind them. It suggests that individuals should be motivated by the desire to produce the best overall outcomes, regardless of personal inclinations or moral character.
- Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics places significant importance on the motivations and intentions behind actions. It suggests that individuals should be motivated by virtuous character traits and act out of a genuine desire to do what is morally right, rather than solely focusing on the consequences.

5. Moral Guidance:
- Consequentialism: Consequentialism provides clear guidelines for moral decision-making by emphasizing the calculation of consequences. It offers a systematic approach to evaluating actions based on their potential outcomes.
- Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics provides a more flexible and context-dependent approach to moral decision-making. It emphasizes the cultivation of virtuous character traits, which guide individuals to act in morally right ways based on their own judgment and understanding of virtues.

In summary, consequentialism and virtue ethics differ in their focus, evaluation of actions, moral decision-making process, moral motivation, and guidance. While consequentialism prioritizes the consequences of actions, virtue ethics emphasizes the character and virtues of the moral agent. Both theories offer distinct perspectives on ethics and provide valuable insights into moral decision-making.