A Virtue Ethics Construct for the Restoration of an Ethical Society in South Africa

Abstract

The Preamble to the Constitution embodies the dreams, aspirations, wishes and hopes of most South Africans who elected to opt for the freedom without violence path during the 1994 referendum and subsequent democratic elections in South Africa. Due to its progressive nature and protection of human rights the South African constitution is often described as the envy of the liberal world. The constitution grants equal rights to life, equality, freedom and dignity to all citizens. The sad reality for the Rainbow nation is that moral decline and ethical apathy has taken the centre stage and drictly influences the lives of most if not all its citizens. This calls into question the prevailing views and actions of the Christian tradition and community which rests in the power centres of religion; the churches, Christian institutions and communities.The breakdown of morality in South Africa and the contrasting fact that as a nation South Africa implores God to protect and bless her, raises the question as to why South Africa is still shying away from seeking a spiritual - religion based solution to redress the waning ethical narrative of South Africa? The moral fibre of a dominant Christian country has become brittle and tacky with very few strands still hanging onto some respectable form of morality. The research followed the qualitative method and whilst incorporating the most recent empirical research highlighting the relevance and importance of people’s responses to and opinions of morality and ethical conduct it considers the historical, current and future of ethical conduct and morality in South Africa. The theoretical findings and proposals are incorporated into a theoretical construct built on Virtue ethics and presented as an alternative which provides the opportunity and possibility to influence and arrest the decline of morality in South Africa.