Ethical: Ethics and Ethical Theories Essay

Submitted By j123j456
Words: 569
Pages: 3
Open Document
Ethical Theories Compared
This is a quick overview of some relations between utilitarian, deontological, and Aristotelian ethical theories. For links to many excellent internet resources on these ethical theories and others, see Lawrence Hinman's Ethics Updates site.
Rosalind Hursthouse's Comparison
Here is a brief indication of the way Rosalind Hursthouse describes the relationships between the three kinds of theory in the first section of her essay "Virtue Theory and Abortion": | Consequentialism | Deontology | Virtue Theory | example | Mill's utilitarianism | Kantian ethics | Aristotle's moral theory | abstract description | An action is right if it promotes the best consequences. | An action is right if it is in accordance with a moral rule or principle. | An action is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do in the circumstances. | more concrete specification | The best consequences are those in which happiness is maximized. | A moral rule is one that is required by rationality. | A virtuous agent is one who acts virtuously, that is, one who has and exercises the virtues. A virtue is a character trait a human being needs to flourish or live well. |
Classification of Ethical Theories

A More Detailed (But Very Tentative) Comparison
Here are some suggestions about how some of the chief ethical theories would address various issues. This is all pretty tentative, in part because different ethical theories tend to focus on different issues, so it's not always easy to determine how one theory would address the issues that are the chief concern of another theory. Also, many of the categories in the table are not strictly parts of the moral theories, but rather views on other topics (such as personal identity or the nature of rationality) which seem to mesh well with a particular ethical theory. | Consequentialism | Deontology | Virtue Ethics | example | utilitarianism | Kantianism | Aristotelianism | model of practical reasoning | means-ends reasoning: how do I get what I want/what's good? | how do I determine what's rational? | what habits should I develop? | personal identity (what is essential to the self?) | will & reason + desires | will & reason (desires are thought of as outside forces with the potential to thwart rationality) | will& reason + desires + character traits | rationality | getting what you want | doing what reason requires (at a minimum, not having
Show More

Related Documents: Ethical: Ethics and Ethical Theories Essay

Becca: Ethics and Ethical Theory Essay examples

Ethics Essay Lorena Vega ETH/316 November 28, 2012 Fernando Chavez Ethics Essay There are three significant approaches in normative ethics such as quality ethics, deontological ethics, and utilitarianism. This paper will evaluate the resemblances and variations between quality concept, utilitarianism, and deontological principles. It will include information of the variations in how each concept details ethics and morality, and it will also discuss an experience to describe the relationship…

Words 743 - Pages 3

Ethics and the Internet: Duty-Based Ethical Theory Essay

Ethics and the Internet Duty- based ethical theory (Deontology) Introduction Duty-based ethical theory is also called deontology. Deon means duty or obligation in Greek word. German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) wrote a critique of pure reason in 1781. He believed that there are higher principles that are good in every time, everywhere and in very situation. According to him, morality must be based on duties obligation that humans have to one another. So morality has nothing to do with…

Words 806 - Pages 4

Kant: Ethics and Ethical Theory Refuts Essay

they differ. As one would start to study Kant and his ethical theories its easy to see that Kant was a very simple and clear man. What that means is that his views where very cut and dry and very little room for debate. His views are simple, but just like anything there are both pros and cons to his theories. Immediately kants theory shows a flaw in Utilitarianism which is “a bad act can have good consequences” kants ethical theory refuts this. Kant instead provides moral laws that hold universally…

Words 774 - Pages 4

Essay about Critique Of - Applying Ethical Theories: Interpreting and Responding to Student Plagiarism, Journal of Business Ethics

Methods Assessment 1: Critical Writing (15%) Granitz, N. and D. Loewy (2007), Applying Ethical Theories: Interpreting and Responding to Student Plagiarism, Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 72, pp 293-306. Summary Plagiarism in today's “copy and paste generation” is an unremitting, complex issue that is not yet fully understood. The paper responds to this proposition with a thesis that understanding the ethical reasoning provided by students in defending plagiarism is crucial in preventing it in…

Words 1310 - Pages 6

comparing the differences Essay

Justin axle Ethics/316 Comparing the differences Don Kelly Comparing the Differences Dealing with these different types of theories such as virtue theory, utilitarianism and deontology they all come back to the form and status of generally dealing with one’s morality and ethics. Each theory deals with different phases in life, either dealing with a current situation the past or even future. Ethics and morality will ultimately determine the outcome…

Words 517 - Pages 3

Shot-O-Virtue Ethics

Introduction Ethical thinking involves the intricate process used to consider the impact of individuals’ actions on others or organizations they serve. Most decisions are regular, but a sudden unusual situation may unexpectedly give rise to an ethical dilemma. The foundation of ethical decision-making involves choice (Chmielewski, 2004). Therefore, when making ethical decisions it is necessary to perceive and eliminate unethical options. Although there may be several ethical responses to a situation…

Words 1298 - Pages 6

Essay on w3 a1 SOC120

Applying Ethical Theories to the Media and its Responsibilities Danielle Carter SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility (ACG1417K) Professor Ravenelle May 11, 2014 Applying Ethical Theories to the Media and its Responsibilities Media is best defined as a means of communication that reaches and could possibly influence people widely through radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and most recently the internet (media, n.d.). Malcom X stated it best when he said, “The…

Words 824 - Pages 4

Plaisance Response Paper

PROFESSOR: Dr. Bernhard Debatin Response Paper for J8130-Ethics, Internet, and society—Fall 2014-2015 Topic: Media ethics (Plaisance) Ethics comes into our minds when we are finding rational justification for our actions. Aiming at giving his readers applicable key principles to moral philosophy and to responsible media practice, Plaisance introduces a broad collection of classical and contemporary philosophers. For example, in defining ethics, Aristotle focused on the actor; Kant emphasized on the…

Words 633 - Pages 3

Cultural Relativism: A Theory Of Ethical Action

This is the foundation of ethics. They are rules of conduct that shows how our society expects us to behave and are the guiding principles behind the creation of laws. Normative Ethics- Is the study of ethical action. A theory of ethics that…

Words 1879 - Pages 8

Why Is Ethics Important To Study

1. Ethics is the science concerning right or wrong of a human action. It is also the principles, norms and standards of conduct governing an individual or group. Ethics is the code of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The most common way of defining “ethics” norms for conduct that distinguishes between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Ethics in practice that makes sense. Ethics is the branch of study dealing with what is the proper course of action for man. It answers questions…

Words 1413 - Pages 6