What Are The Ethical Schools Of Deontology

When observing the different ethical theories one may believe that although their differences are unique there are similarities in them. One may state that a similarity between utilitarian and deontology is that they both require one to consider their duty something that should be done and considering the character of an individual is if it will be done. If an individual has morals and character he or she may consider it their duty to do what is morally correct.

| Regardless of consequences, certain moral principles are binding, focusing on duty rather than results or moral obligation over what the individual would prefer to do (Treviño & Nelson, 2007, Ch. 4).In ethics, deontological ethics, or deontology (Greek: deon meaning obligation or duty), is a theory holding that decisions should be made solely or primarily by considering one's duties and the rights of others. Some systems are based on biblical or tenets from sacred.

The word deontology comes from the Greek word “deontos” which means duty (Adams, 2011). Deontology can be defined as doing what is morally correct regardless of the final results as long as they abide by the moral principles. Certain actions, like lying, are never allowed regardless if its outcomes benefit the purpose and no harm is caused. The theory states that whether an action is ethical and follows the moral rules, depends on the intentions behind the decisions (Pieper, 2008). So for an action to be “good” and morally right, it must have been performed at goodwill and abide to moral values.

In contrast with deontology, there is utilitarianism, which is a consequentialist theory. Utilitarianists consider consequences to be an important indicator of the moral value of one’s actions (Rich, 2008). In consequentialist analyses, conclusions about what is right or wrong are based on the consequences (Tanner et al., 2008). Utilitarianism is to promote the greatest good for the greatest amount of people that is possible in situations.

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.

Moral and ethics defines the nature of our society and culture today. They are both complimentary in nature but different in some ways. Moral determines person’s character when an individual interacts in social and personal relationship and Ethics are the philosophical study of morality or moral standards. Utilitarian theory, Virtue ethics, and Deontological are some of the examples of major ethical theories that covered in this essay. Collaboration on personal experiences added as well by explaining the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts.

Two theories into ethics and how actions can be justified are known as deontological and utilitarian (also consequential) approaches. These two theories look at situations from different perspectives.

As a result of continued human suffering and questions of morality, many ethical theories have been developed over time to guide humans on how to coexist, differentiate between right and wrong, and live a “good” life. Many times, these different ethical theories seem to contradict one another, but all are conceived with the intention to guide morally just lives. Deontology is the most applicable theory of ethics because Deontology possesses a universal categorical imperative encompassing the ideas of having a “good will” and making decisions based on duty. The idea of having a universal categorical imperative prompts decision making that is increasingly based on duty, impartiality, justice, and considering how a particular decision will

Ethics and virtue have been a very contentious issue facing society for centuries. Many argue over the merits of various theories, each with its own philosophies and assumptions. It is this argument that has given rise to many popular and followed theories of ethics and virtues. The theories discussed primarily in this document include the virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological theory. Each is very distinct to the others in regards to its principles and assumptions regarding human behavior. Each however, has merit in regards to question of ethics and virtue, and how it should subsequently be valued.

‘Ethical theories are the rules and principles that determine right and wrong for any given situation’ according to Crane and Matten (2004:76). Its contribution is either relativists which is what is right or wrong relying on the moral norms of our society such as, our culture or absolutists which is deciding what is right or wrong regarding the act, for instance, murder. However, absolutists are divided into Consequentialists (Teleological) which consists of Utilitarianism and ethical egoism and the Non-consequential (Deontological) which consists of divine command theories, Kant’s ethics of duty, virtue ethics, justice approach and the rights approach.

The three major schools of ethics consists of: consequentialism, natural law, and virtue ethics. Consequentialism means that the judge of if something is right or wrong is based on the consequences of the action. Utilitarianism is apart of this theme, which means one should act to produce the best good thing for the most people. Natural Law means through logical thinking on nature, discover actions that are good and bad that will help us move forward in human fulfillment and growing. This means that human beings can make a reality of their potential Virtue Ethics consists of two different approaches to ethics.

Deontological ethics are based on moral obligations, duties and rights. Rules are to guide decision making in deontological ethics. Deontological ethics have a more individualistic focus, as individuals are supposed to be treated with respect and dignity (Sexty, 2011, 7).

The three that resonate most with me is Normative, Utilitarian, and Deontological ethics. Ethical theories aid in explaining why and in what way we make ethical decisions. I find that in my case, it would depend on the particular situation to what ethical theory I would chose. For example, Normative ethics is based on how others may judge me, so for example if I decided not to attend church on a Sunday my family would not pleased, so based on the normative theory I may decide to attend to conform to my family attending church on Sundays. Utilitarian ethics is another one that resonates with me. I believe that sometimes one must make decisions based on the good of most. An example would be withholding upsetting information, because knowing to

Deontology: is the act of doing the right thing no matter what the consequences are. For example, if an individual has a family member that killed someone then, it is his/her duty to go against the family member to say the truth. Even though it is bad to go against a family member, according to the deontological approach, it is doing the right thing. This individual is doing the right thing because he/she is not hiding anything, he/she is being truthful, and he/she is being honest.

From the Greek for “duty” (deontos), ethics based in duty and one that reasons from foundational principles which tell us what our duties are. Hence, actions are right and wrong for reasons other than their consequences. Deontological ethics or deontology is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. It is sometimes described as duty, obligatory or rule based ethics, because rules bind you to your duty (Bentham, J., 1789 (1948). Deontological theories are better understood in contrast to consequential theories; a look at consequentialism and a survey of the problems with it that motivate its deontological opponents provides a helpful prelude to taking up deontological theories themselves. Consequentialists hold that choices, acts or intentions are to be morally assessed solely by the “distillate” or states of affairs they produce or the end.