Does Aristotelian virtue ethics give an adequate account of what makes a person morally good?
AQA A-Level Philosophy | Paper 1 | 2026 Predicted Paper | Mark Scheme: Question 10
Question 10
Does Aristotelian virtue ethics give an adequate account of what makes a person morally good?
[25 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
This is a 25-mark evaluative question, weighted AO1 = 5 marks and AO2 = 20 marks. Students therefore need enough accurate knowledge to establish Aristotle's account of the morally good person, but the majority of the essay should assess whether that account actually succeeds.
The question is slightly narrower than simply asking whether virtue ethics is convincing. Students should keep returning to the central issue: does Aristotle successfully explain what makes a person morally good? AQA's 2023 examination contained the closely related 25-marker "To what extent can Aristotelian virtue ethics be defended?", so its mark scheme and examiner report provide particularly useful guidance for this shadow question.
Levels of response
Marks | Descriptor |
21–25 | A sustained argument with clear intent throughout. Detailed and precise understanding is integrated into the evaluation. Arguments and counterarguments are presented in their strongest forms, their relative importance is assessed, and reasoned judgements lead to a robust overall conclusion. Philosophical terminology is used precisely. |
16–20 | A clear and largely sustained argument. Knowledge is detailed and generally accurate. Arguments and counterarguments are integrated and weighed, with a clear conclusion, although evaluation may not be consistently as precise or developed as at the highest level. |
11–15 | A clear attempt to answer the question through argument. Relevant knowledge is mostly accurate and there is genuine evaluation, but balance, integration or the weighting of arguments may be uneven. |
6–10 | Some argument is present but is not fully coherent. Relevant material is identified, but arguments and counterarguments may be juxtaposed rather than evaluated. There are gaps or inaccuracies. |
1–5 | Limited relevant knowledge with little sustained argument. The response may be largely descriptive, fragmented or one-sided. |
0 | Nothing written worthy of credit. |
These closely follow AQA's actual descriptors for its 2023 Aristotelian virtue ethics 25-marker.
Indicative content
Students do not need to cover every point below. AQA's examiner report makes clear that the strongest responses often avoided a long descriptive introduction and moved quickly into objection, defence and judgement.
Aristotle's basic account of the morally good person
Students may establish that Aristotle understands the good for human beings in terms of eudaimonia, usually translated as flourishing or living well. Eudaimonia is the final end, desired for its own sake rather than merely as a means to something else.
Aristotle's function argument claims that the distinctive human function is reasoning or acting for reasons. Performing that function well requires the development and exercise of the virtues.
AQA defines virtues as positive character traits developed through habituation which allow a person to make good, rational moral choices and thereby live a eudaimon life.
A morally good person therefore does not merely perform isolated right actions. They possess a virtuous character.
Virtue, habituation and moral character
Aristotle holds that virtues are acquired through habituation rather than simply being innate.
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