Ethical Category of Virtue and the Concept of Freedom and Creativity of the Subject

Abstract

The article analyzes the ethical categories of virtue, decency, happiness, good, etc. from the point of
view of freedom, creativity of the subject and freedom of choice of values. The unity between the choice
of positive or negative values and the individual’s choice of moral preferences, such as moral duty, the
common good, happiness is shown, representing a culture of freedom of choice. The understanding is
based on the Kantian statement on freedom as the essence of man, which forms his inner spiritual core
and its spiritual and moral content. It has, according to Kant, an a priori character. In other words, independent
of and prior to any experience and which is created by man himself, it can be changed by him at
will. Kantian definition of virtue qua an internal moral duty, which has a character of a motive in human,
is substantiated. The author comes to the conclusion about the nature of human values for granted and
not for existing and defines phenomenon of decency in existential that is, a behavioral manifestation of
values and motives. It is alleged that human freedom and its moral meaning cannot be explained from
cause-effect laws, as is described in the methodological approaches of utilitarianism theories, since they
are the primary premise of human existence.
Key words: virtue, decency, the common good, happiness, due, existent, existing, rights and
freedom.