Which ethical theory focuses on character?

• A. Formalism
• B. Utilitarianism
• C. Deontology
• D. Virtue Ethics

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is focusing on the kind of person one should become. Virtue ethics centers on character and the cultivation of virtuous traits—honesty, courage, generosity—so that a person lives well and flourishes. In this view, what makes an action right is whether it expresses good character in a given situation, not merely whether it follows a rule or leads to good consequences. That’s why virtue ethics best fits a question about character. By contrast, formalism emphasizes following universal rules or duties, utilitarianism weighs actions by their overall outcomes, and deontology centers on adherence to duties regardless of the actor’s character. So the emphasis on character is what makes virtue ethics the correct choice.