Ethics Essay

Submitted By Badchick83
Words: 602
Pages: 3

Ethics

Tiffany Norfleet

ETHS/316

January 26, 2013

April Fox

Ethics

Comparing and contrasting ethical theories helps one to understand ones guidance system which, helps or aides one through his or her decision-making process. Ethics deal with the question of what is morally right or wrong. These morals deal not only with a person’s business life but also his or her own personal life. The ethical lenses include virtue theory, utilitarian, and deontological theory. “Each theory emphasizes different points such as predicting the outcome and following one's duties to others in order to reach an ethically correct decision” (2009, p. 149). Each theory has a familiar thread with a goal. In this paper each of the following three ethical theories Utilitarianism, Virtue, and Deontological will describe relating to ethics and morality. Concluding with a personal experience with which the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to utilitarianism.

Virtue theory is dealing mainly with the character of a person. A person is who judges another by his or her character rather than his or her actions is exemplifying the virtue theory of ethics. The observed behavior the majority of the time will rely upon more so than a behavior that happened only once. In terms of the ethical portion rules are not following, but instead focus on people practicing good character, like kindness, and generosity. Morally a virtue-based person would guide the person to make correct decisions through life through his or her experiences.

Utilitarianism concerns are with arriving at the most good for all. Utilitarian usually answers the question “What one ought to do in a situation.” A utilitarian may answer this question with the statement, that individuals should do whatever is the greater good for everyone involved. “According to this theory an individual's rights may be infringed upon in order to benefit a greater population” (2009, p. 153). In terms of ethics of a utilitarian, a person is trying to make positive change for a larger group. Morally a utilitarian would guide themselves in decision based on the group the belonged to or are associated with.

Deontological theory relates to ethics as a duty rather than a moral responsibility. When describing the deontology theory one must wonder is there a difference when considering what is morally and is this not his or her duty to do