Ethical Theories Of Utilitarianism, And Deontological Ethics

This paper is going to discuss Ethics and Ethical Theories. It will include an introduction to ethical theories, virtue ethics, and care ethics. There will be sections discussing absolutism versus relativism, consequentialism versus deontological ethics, and lastly, free will versus determinism. It will also include a discussion about the study of morality and identify which of the approaches (Scientific, Philosophical, or Theological/Religious) are closest to my own personal beliefs. There will be a discussion regarding the three sources of ethics

Using The Philosopher’s Way by John Chaffee, I will explain the ethical theories of ethical subjectivism, utilitarianism, and Deontological ethics. Secondly, I will summarize the main points of my article and then act in response using the three ethical theories previously listed. I will also explain which ethical theory best represents the article. Then, I will provide reasoning as to why stem-cell research is important; and lastly, I will offer two open-ended questions.

The theories of virtue, utilitarianism, and deontology are similar in some aspects but for the most part are very different. Each of the theories will be explained to show their differences and the type of person that would gravitate towards that theory. Through the explanations one would also be able to consider where there morals or ethics may lie but can also see themselves in each theory.

Virtue ethics is a normative theory whose foundations were laid by Aristotle. This theory approaches normative ethics in substantially different ways than consequentialist and deontological theories. In this essay, I will contrast and compare virtue ethics to utilitarianism, ethical egoism, and Kantianism to demonstrate these differences. There is one fundamental aspect of virtue ethics that sets it apart from the other theories I will discuss. For the sake of brevity and to avoid redundancy, I will address it separately. This is the fundamental difference between acting ethically within utilitarianism, egoism, and Kantianism. And being ethical within virtue ethics. The other theories seek to define the ethics of actions while virtue ethics does not judge actions in any way. The other theories deal with how we should act, while virtue ethics determines how we should be.

Utilitarianism vs. Deontology A better way to understand utilitarianism and deontology is to see it through a scenario with a moral dilemma. The scenario includes bombs, death, torture, and a moral dilemma. Utilitarianism is a theory in which decisions should be made in optimizing the greatest amount of pleasure over pain and the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people (Merriam-Webster). In the scenario a police chief desperately throws out the idea of torture of a crazy man who hid bombs all over the city and will not give them information. Following utilitarianism, the police officer would be making the most moral choice because he will possibly get the information he needs and help save thousands of lives.

In other words, it evaluates the desirability of a specific action based on the outcomes of that choice. A familiar guide for such a decision-making would be selecting the option that yields the greatest good for the greatest number of people, or the least harmful result. It demands that individuals judge their actions based on the significance or correctness of the outcome of it. That means if the outcome of an action is good, then the action can be ethical. On the other hand, if an action is wrong, then it is unethical (Tanner et al., 2007). According to George Moore (1965), a British philosopher, the “rightness” or “wrongness” of an action depends on its outcome (p. 80-83). The same holds true with other utilitarianists. George further states that an individual’s intentions or motives are irrelevant in evaluating the “rightness” or “wrongness” of their actions.

Of the three approaches to determining a valid guideline for human behavior, utilitarianism, deontological, and virtue ethics, I feel that an individual should take all three approaches into consideration because I believe people, in general, can't live their lives dedicated to just one type of ethics. There are too many possible situations and outcomes that can occur.

Utilitarianism and deontology are two theories in normative ethics that help us decide what is right and wrong. For the most part, they both agree on problems that are very simple to dispute the morality of, such as murder. Other cases, like the case with the Washington Redskins, are more difficult. Overall, the utilitarian principle is the most efficient of the two.

My parents came to the United States in 1974 bringing with them the customs they grew up with from Vietnam. It took several decades for them to truly assimilate to American culture, so I grew up with the strict parenting they experience when they were younger. My parents were very black and white when it came to any issues between my sister and I. They always taught us to respect others and to help when we can, however, they never explain why we should do it—it was just expected. Growing up I always knew what to do and what was expected from me, but I was never really able to verbally define what was right and wrong. It was not until I moved out of my parent’s home to go to college that I really had the freedom to make decisions on my own and

Though knowledge of ethical theory is not mandatory in dealing with moral dilemmas in healthcare, such theories can assist in making difficult decisions (Seedhouse, 2009). Case A is chosen to illustrate the utilization of the ethical theories of utilitarianism and deontology. In this case, Pam proposes that biopsy results be deliberately withheld from John until after his holiday if results show cancer spread.

While utilitarianism theory focuses on the consequential view the deontological theory of ethics is based around a nonconsequential approach to the topic. According to deontological theory an act being morally right or wrong is due to something other than the consequences. Deontological ethics requires people to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do – regardless of the consequences. Consequences can never be an adequate justification for an act (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2013 p. 158-159). Fundamental to deontology theory is the idea that equal respect must be given to all persons. Is the case study example a deontological approach should have been undertaken to promote employees within the organization. This was

According to the case study, Jessica has not made a decision about the continuation and termination of her pregnancy due to the fetal abnormality, but as mother , she may have great confusion between choosing a one option so, deontology and utilitarianism theory can be applied to her feelings. On the one hand, in deontological theory , be a mother she has a great responsibility and obligations to complete her pregnancy, bear pain, discomfort and give a birth of her child. On the other hand, Utilitarianism theory explains that decision should be made for the benefits of majority and in her case, It is wise to make a decision to terminate a pregnancy for the benefit of her child as well as for herself because if she give birth to a child, he will have many problems to adjust in the society and the challenging world. Similarly, she has to take a full responsibility of her child through out her life span , which will put psychological, financial and

Kant’s theory of deontology and Mill’s theory of utilitarianism provide starkly different approaches to assigning moral value to ethical dilemmas, two modern dilemmas being commercial surrogacy and physician-assisted suicide. This essay will expound upon the process of deciding moral value within each ethical theory and then apply this decision process to the two ethical dilemmas. Arguments will be posited in support or in opposition to the proposed ethical dilemmas according to the ethical theories. The discussion will revolve around the theories as proposed by the specific authors mentioned above in their relevant works.

Utilitarianism is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by its usefulness. In maximizing utility and minimizing negative utility, in short it can be defined as pleasure minus pain. Deontology means duty or obligation. This theory was founded by a German philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). According to Kant, it is the only way of making moral decisions. Another definition for deontology is that it is an approach to the justification in which priority is given to the fundamental principles (Thompson et.al 2000;364)

Utilitarianism and Deontology are challenged in Watchmen, Adrian and Rorschach are both opposites of each other, as you can see during the film. Killing millions of innocents to save billions and maintain peace, while Rorschach believes in punishing the bad NOT the innocent. The Watchmen contains lots of violence regarding the usage of Utilitarianism and Deontology. Rorschach uses his strict rule of being moral. He will not and never change the way he views the city he lives in. He will always do the right thing. Which in this case is eliminating all evil from this corrupt city. Adrian uses Utilitarianism to act. He chooses the act that will bring more happenins and reduce the violence in the world