THE RELEVANCE OF THE KANTIAN DISTINCTION BETWEEN VIRTUE AND GOOD WILL FOR THE CONTEMPORARY DEBATE ON VIRTUE ETHICS

Abstract

The article argues that the distinction between virtue (Tugend) and good will (guter Wille) in Kant's ethics provides a key to understanding the thesis of the centrality of virtue in contemporary Virtue Ethics. Departing from a comparison between Kant's and Aristotle's ethics, we will argue that the concept of excellence (areté) fulfills, in the work of the Greek philosopher, the same function of good will in Kant, constituting moral value from the correct reasons and of adequate motivation. We believe this approach can contribute to stablish Virtues Ethics as an autonomous movement, alternative to utilitarianism and neo-Kantianism, by pointing to structural divergences between these theories due to the different roles attributed to the concept of virtue.