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Abstract

This paper examines virtue ethics of Aristotle to the modern day crisis of ethical leadership. It starts by examining the model presented by Aristotle on views of moral character and virtue, as well as the golden mean, and how all of them compose the building block of ethical action. The paper then relates all these classical concepts with what is expected of modern leaders in politics, business, and in the society at large. The comparison of the Aristotelian ideal of virtuous leader and the outcome of leaders who failed to succeed in their leadership will underline the importance of the character-based ethics in modern-day world. The paper concludes by citing that the only viable cure to the continued erosion in the credibility of the leadership is the reversion to a virtue-based ethical growth.
Keywords: Virtue Ethics, Aristotle, Ethical Leadership, Moral Character, Golden Mean