As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform modern society—from algorithmic decision-making and self-driving cars to predictive policing and targeted advertising—the ethical implications of such technologies become increasingly urgent. In the midst of varied efforts to address AI ethics, Aristotelian Virtue Ethics is a rich and underdeveloped point of view. Based on character development and the pursuit of human greatness, Virtue Ethics focuses on the significance of moral agents more than on just moral rules or outcomes. Such a method has much to teach us about how we can steer the intricate moral landscape presented by AI systems, particularly in situations where strict rules and calculative thinking are not sufficient.
This article investigates the applicability and relevance of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics to the ethical issues presented by AI. It initially provides a brief overview of the most important elements of Aristotelian ethics, which are eudaimonia (flourishing), phronesis (practical wisdom), and moral virtues. It then discusses how these elements may be employed to solve certain moral issues in AI—algorithmic bias, accountability, and transparency.
1. Aristotelian Virtue Ethics: An Overview:
Aristotle’s ethics, presented in the Nicomachean Ethics, is ultimately interested in how one might live a good life—not simply as the quest for pleasure or riches but as the achievement of eudaimonia, usually translated as “flourishing” or “well-being” (Aristotle, trans. 2009). Eudaimonia is attained by the development of moral and intellectual virtues, acquired through habituation and directed by reason.
At the heart of Aristotle’s ethics is phronesis, or practical wisdom—the ability to deliberate well regarding what is good and advantageous for oneself and for others in a particular situation (Kristjánsson, 2007). In contrast to theoretical knowledge, phronesis is context-dependent, demanding sensitivity to particulars, moral perception, and an ability to identify the morally significant aspects of a situation.
Moral virtues like courage, temperance, and justice are not natural but rather acquired through habituation and practice. Notably, Aristotle conceives of moral conduct not in terms of the observance of rules but in terms of an expression of a virtuous character.Virtuous agents are those who possess the correct dispositions and can act rightly in all manner of circumstances—not because they obey prescriptions, but because they know what is the right thing to do. This agent-centered approach is different from deontological (duty-based) and utilitarian (consequence-based) approaches to ethical theory, both of which have prevailed in mainstream AI ethics debate (Moor, 2006). But, as we will come to see, the distinctive aspects of Virtue Ethics make it particularly pertinent to deal with the moral grayness and value-laden situations surrounding AI.
Virtue Ethics lays a great deal of importance on character building and moral education, which means that moral choices taken by individuals, particularly those who are involved in the development and deployment of AI, are influenced by their developed virtues. In this light, Aristotelian ethics can provide a more integrated and agent-centered approach to AI ethics, where the issue is not only how to design moral algorithms or policies but how to develop ethical dispositions and virtues in the individuals who are going to develop and deploy AI systems.
2. The Ethical Dilemmas of AI
AI technologies pose new moral dilemmas that cannot be dealt with by purely rule-based or consequentialist thinking. Some of these dilemmas include:Algorithmic bias: Machine learning algorithms are capable of capturing or exacerbating biases in the training data to produce discriminatory outcomes, especially in sensitive areas such as employment, criminal justice, and healthcare (Crawford, 2021).
Explainability and opacity: Most AI systems, particularly deep learning models, are “black boxes,” with their decisions being hard to understand or explain (Burrell, 2016).
Accountability: If AI systems cause harmful decisions, it is not clear who is responsible—designers, users, institutions, or the system itself.
Moral deskilling and dehumanization: With AI programs assuming roles conventionally done by humans, the threat of stripping human judgment, empathy, and accountability exists (Vallor, 2016).
These are made worse by the dynamism, complexity, and socio-political embeddedness of systems. Conventional ethical frameworks might not provide satisfactory advice in such ever-changing situations.
Aristotelian Virtue Ethics, then, in pointing to moral character, practical wisdom, and the good life, can offer alternative moral resources for ethical consideration. In contrast to rule-based models concerned with universalizable principles, Virtue Ethics invites consideration of the agent’s character and her capacity for working through moral complexity. The emphasis is not merely on whether an AI system adheres to ethical norms but on the manner in which the designers, developers, and users of AI systems reflect virtues like fairness, justice, and humility in their decision-making.
In addressing AI’s ethical dilemmas, Virtue Ethics places significant importance on developing the moral character of those involved in AI systems, emphasizing that AI ethics is not just a technical issue but a deeply human one. Rather than reducing AI-related challenges to mathematical optimization or codified principles, Virtue Ethics calls for a broader evaluation of the implications of technology on human flourishing and the development of moral virtues in AI creators and users.
3. Applying Aristotelian Principles to Ethical Challenges in AI:
Aristotelian principles of eudaimonia phronesis, and virtues can be used to resolve some of the most significant ethical challenges in AI. Let us see how they can be used to address particular challenges:
Algorithmic bias: Perhaps the most urgent of AI ethics is algorithmic bias. AI systems tend to copy the biases present in their training data, and this results in discriminatory or unjustified outcomes. Virtue Ethics focuses not only on correcting the algorithm but on the virtues of the developers themselves. For instance, developers need to develop virtues like fairness, transparency, and sensitivity to social justice to make sure their designs lead to equitable results (Dastin, 2018). Rather than emphasizing the creation of techniques for removing bias, a Virtue Ethics perspective encourages the cultivation of moral culture among the personnel developing AI so that they will actively take into account the effect their work has upon vulnerable groups.
Accountability: AI systems tend to run independently, so it becomes hard to pin accountability when things turn awry. In the Aristotelian paradigm, accountability is not a case of obedience but of conducting oneself in accord with virtue. Organizations and developers must demonstrate virtues like responsibility, courage, and honesty while designing AI systems. They must assume responsibility not only for the technology outputs but also for the way their systems shape society. Practical wisdom, phronesis, is essential here, leading people to make wise decisions that balance technological innovation and ethics, ensuring AI systems contribute to the common good and enhance human flourishing (Vallor, 2016).
Transparency and Explainability: A second fundamental ethical challenge is the black box nature of many AI models. As the technical solutions, such as XAI, endeavor to tackle it, Virtue Ethics highlights the responsibility of the moral agent for promoting transparency. The developers should practice virtues including intellectual honesty and humility and, by acknowledging how essential it is to make the AI decisions explicit and open to inspection, further trust, make accountability easier, and create a more equitable and just technological sphere.
4. Implications of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics for AI Development and Deployment:
Aristotelian Virtue Ethics provides much to consider when it comes to the ethical development and use of AI systems. By prioritizing moral agents and their development of virtues, this perspective insists on moving beyond technocentric thinking to a more human-oriented approach. AI development, according to this perspective, is not merely about developing tools that maximize efficiency or profitability, but about developing systems that enhance human flourishing and well-being.
For instance, when developing AI systems that engage with humans—be it through customer service robots, medical assistants, or autonomous vehicles—the development of virtues like empathy, patience, and respect for human dignity becomes essential. These virtues inform AI developers to create systems that acknowledge the worth of human users and prioritize their well-being. This transformation would challenge AI developers and corporations to look at the bigger picture, with consideration not only for technological possibility but also for the long-term effects of their efforts on human life and society.
In addition, the use of phronesis in the development of AI cannot be exaggerated. Practical wisdom helps developers deal with the complicated ethical choices that emerge in AI systems, for instance, how to balance innovation with social responsibility or aligning ethical conflicts between automation and human freedom.
5. Conclusion: The Promise of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics for Responsible AI:
Aristotelian Virtue Ethics provides a sound and timely method for meeting the ethical challenges presented by artificial intelligence. By centering on the cultivation of virtuous moral agents and promoting practical wisdom, this methodology invites AI developers and practitioners to reflect on the wider effects of their efforts on human flourishing. Instead of defining AI ethics in terms of rules or maximizing overall utility, Virtue Ethics focuses on developing virtues like fairness, responsibility, and empathy, which are essential to deal with challenges such as algorithmic bias, responsibility, and transparency.
Drawing on Aristotelian thought to deal with AI-related ethical challenges better, we are able to better understand the moral obligations of all those engaged in AI development. In addition, by emphasizing virtues rather than a narrowly technical adherence to standards, we can develop AI systems that perform not just optimally but for the good of all. Practical wisdom (phronesis) is central to the task of managing the complexities of AI, as it provides sensitivity to context, long-term effects, and the well-being of all parties involved.
Other than Aristotelian Virtue Ethics and the Dilemmas of Artificial Intelligence, you can also read Benefits of the Rise in Artificial Intelligence
Ultimately, adopting an Aristotelian approach to AI ethics fosters a more human-centered, ethically responsible approach to technology. As AI continues to shape our lives, integrating these timeless virtues into the development and deployment of AI systems can guide us toward a future where technology enhances, rather than undermines, human flourishing
The writer, Ms Hira Riaz, is a student of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Management and Technology (UMT) Lahore.