美德倫理是一種美德中心論：在這種倫理學中，品德、美德和行為者居於中心的、決定的、主要的地位；而道德、規範和行為則處於從屬的、次要的、被決定的地位。它的論據，一方面在於：做具有美德的人比做符合道德規範的事更為根本、更重要、更具決定意；另一方面則在於：美德是評價一切行為正當與否的終極標準。

Virtual Ethics is built around the conception of virtues, with the issues of morality, norms, and behavior subordinate to the central and dominant ideas of character and virtues. The argument of virtual ethics comes down to two points: first, being virtuous is more fundamental, more important, and more decisive than conforming to moral norms; second, virtue is the ultimate standard by which the legitimacy of behavior is valued.