Final answer:
Philosophers such as Aristotle have valued excellence, viewing it through the lens of an entity's function or purpose. This concept, tied also to perfectionism and objective moral reasoning, suggests that the intrinsic value of excellence can transcend the specific nature of actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philosophers have indeed valued excellence as a property in itself, sometimes independently of the moral character of actions. Aristotle's concept of aretê, translated as virtue or excellence, is fundamental in this regard. He posited that determining the excellence of a thing involves understanding its specific function or purpose and how well it accomplishes it. Therefore, a sharp knife, due to its ability to cut well, can be considered to have achieved its virtue or aretê.
In the context of broader ethical theory, some philosophers have adopted a perfectionism approach. Perfectionism is linked to Aristotle's idea of eudaimonia, suggesting that flourishing, or the good life, arises from the pursuit of the highest attainable good for individuals or society, implying an intrinsic valuation of excellence in developing human capacities.
Virtue ethics also points towards an objective moral reality tied to nature and fulfillment of purpose or telos. Philosophers like Spinoza have tied joy and the enhancement of human powers to the perfection and flourishing of individuals, whereas Kant considered the highest moral imperatives to include treating humans as ends in themselves, thus suggesting a form of excellence in ethical actions.