We pass moral judgments on man's voluntary actions, his intentions or motives, and finally on his character. Thus, one of the objects of our moral judgment is the character of a human being. The character of a man is the organization of man's sentiments, qualities, attitudes, and habits. It is during the formation process and transformation. Though it is not fixed, it is permanent integration of psychological traits and moral virtues. Normative ethics , therefore, analyses the moral qualities or attributes, which constitute the moral character of a human being. Such qualities are called virtues. Etymologically, the word ‘vir’ means hero. The Sanskrit word ‘vira’ also means hero. Prof. P.B. Chatterjee in this connection writes The English word, ‘virtue’ corresponds to the Latin ‘virtus’ and Sanskrit ‘virya’ meaning valour or manliness, power, energy, or excellence. For the Greeks also, virtue indicates excellence. Virtues, thus, are good traits of the character and v...
