Jim Rutt defines 'virtue ethics' as a branch of moral philosophy emphasizing character and the cultivation of virtues over the adherence to a set of rules or the assessment of consequences. In this view, ethical behavior stems from the inherent qualities and dispositions that constitute a virtuous person, focusing on moral character as the cornerstone of ethical thinking. Unlike deontology or consequentialism, virtue ethics is concerned with the development of good habits and the embodiment of traits such as courage, wisdom, and temperance. According to Rutt, living a morally good life involves practicing these virtues consistently, thereby fostering one's moral growth and contributing to the well-being of society as a whole.

See also: agent-based modeling, attractor, evolution, emergence, free will