Good, Duty and Virtue are three principles regarding moral philosophy that characterized his ethical life. “Good” is anything advisable or desirable which satisfies due to needs or desires. “Duty” refers to a moral or ethical obligation that is not subjective, that is, it is not dependent on one individual. The term “virtue” refers to a habit of mind acquired that unites the impulses with reason so as to achieve moral excellence. In combination, these two concepts create the model of individual behaviour, social responsibility and moral judgment.

Key Points for RAS Mains

What is good?

• Concept of Good
• Definition: thing useful, or serviceable, or of value; in ethics, moral qualities.

• History: It is a creation based on the German word Gut implying desirable.
• Form(s) of Usage:
  • Objects of desire: As a noun: Objects of desire (e.g. wealth, health, courage).
  • Morally good: as an adjective: of moral qualities.
• Classification:
  • Relative Good -Wanted in order to obtain another good.
  • Absolute Good (Highest Good) -good that is sought just because it is that also good- the end of human endeavor.
• Good as Means and End:
  • Means: Measures to reach another good (e.g. wealth to reach happiness).
  • End: It is the last end (e.g. happiness itself).

What is duty?

• Concept of Good
  • Definition: That which one is morally or ethically obliged to do, a conception of moral obligation; the meaning of ought.
  • Scope in Ethics: Wider than what is required by the law, it involves anything morally right.
• Philosophical Views:
  • Greek Ethics: Ethical life of the attainment of the good as a virtue of courage, temperance and justice.
  • Stoicism: Life is to be lived in harmony with the reason of all; goodness consists of virtue only.
• Kantian Ethics (Deontology):
  • Moral worth of an act is possible only when it is done out of a sense of duty.
  • Categorical Imperative: Orders without conditionality-” Do it because it is your obligation.”
• Conflict of Duties:
  • It happens to occur when various obligations appear to be contradictory.
  • The dilemma was solved when the absolute obligation was discovered self-realization and following the basic moral law.

What is virtue?

• Concept of virtue
  • Definition: A refined inward〜preparedness to do what is morally dictated.
  • Etymology: Latin: virtue The word is derived by Latin virtus and Sanskrit virya, both meaning bravery, excellence.
• Philosophical Views:
  • According to Socrates, knowledge equals virtue and no one willingly embraces evil.
  • Plato: Reasoning follows impulses, that is, Virtue; happiness.
  • Aristotle: virtue is a habit of choosing; it pursues the Golden Mean in between opposites.
• Plato, Cardinal Virtues:
  • Wisdom- Moral Perception and Sound Judgment.
  • Courage -Doing right though afraid or hurting.
  • Temperance - Control of self in terms of desires and pleasures.
  • Justice- A balanced operation of intellect, sentiment and desire; equity within the community.

Distinction between Duties and Virtues

Note: From a moral perspective, duties and virtues are interconnected – both aim toward morally good conduct.

Conclusion

Good, Duty, and Virtue are the embodiments of the interdependence of moral concepts that, when simultaneously viewed, constitute ethical behavior. To be a morally good individual means to do what must be done and the execution of duties means that one possesses virtues. In short, all the three are co-extensive which were the moral basis of individual life and of social harmony

Also Read: Sanskritization – Meaning, Characteristics, and Effects