Final answer:
The term that describes actions noble in nature regardless of consequences is 'virtues'. These form the basis of ethical behavior, promoting balance and human well-being, following Aristotle's concept of the mean between excess and deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The actions of a person that are noble or have value regardless of the end result or consequences are known as virtues. Virtues are traits or qualities deemed to be morally good and thus are valued as a foundation of good moral being. In Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, virtues are described as promoting human well-being. They are the mean between a deficiency and excess, such as bravery being the mean between cowardice and rashness. A virtuous person not only takes the right action but also does so with the correct reason, stemming from a consistent and firm character. This reflects a non-consequentialist theory of value, where actions are judged based on their intrinsic properties, not solely their consequences.
Values, on the other hand, represent our judgments about morality, politics, aesthetics, and social issues, and are often tied to our goals or purposes (telos). When it comes to political philosophy, identifying and defining virtues is essential in understanding what constitutes a good person or citizen. The practice of virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of virtues as part of an individual's intentional self-development, aiming to achieve excellence in character.