The golden-rule consistency view, expressed in virtue terms, would talk about character traits like consistency, conscientiousness, and impartiality. Corresponding to the golden rule would be the character trait, perhaps to be called "compassion" or "consideration for others," that we have when we habitually treat others only as we consent to being treated in the same situation. To apply the golden rule, it's important to have character traits like being informed and being imaginative.Virtue controversies
Virtue raises many controversial issues. For example, cultural relativists see each culture as having its own "socially approved habits," or virtues; there's no objective way to call the virtues of one culture better than the virtues of another culture. Classical utilitarians, by contrast, see virtues as habits that promote the general good, seen in terms of pleasure and pain; the supreme virtue is the character trait to do the individual action that we think has the best total consequences.Also, there are questions about whether duty or virtue is primary (with the other being derivative), or whether both are different sides of the same moral coin.
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