In the health care context, there is an expectation that caregivers and other professionals act with integrity and virtue. As such, this theory appeals to our intuitive belief that we can discern the difference between right and wrong action based on our own moral character and good intentions as professionals. On the other hand, a weakness of virtue ethics lies in the absence of guidance in specific situations. Because virtuous character develops over time and in response to both self-reflection and positive external influences, we may not always be able to rely on our own incomplete base of experience and insight in making a particular decision. To complicate matters further, not everyone may agree on the basis of the good life to be sought through moral choices.

For more on virtue ethics see:

• Catholic Encyclopedia - Virtue
• The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Virtue Ethics
• Philosophy Pages - Aristotle
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Virtue Ethics