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 and what they are based on (Reason, Emotion, and Intuitionism).…
What has happened to world poverty since the 1970s? (refer back to the tables by Xavier Sala-i-Martin).…
References: Rachels, J. & Rachels, S. (2012). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (7th Ed.).New York, New York. Mc Graw Hill Companies, Inc.…
Several ethical theories are available for study, while there are differences among them there are also many similarities. This paper will discuss the similarities and differences in Virtue Ethics, Utilitarianism, and Deontological ethics.…
Waller, B. (2008). Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.…
The main rule of utilitarianism is to perform the one action that will provide the greatest amount of pleasure and the least amount of pain to the greatest number of people. In our case study, one would think the choice is quite easy, if we let go of Gary, we are providing no happiness for anyone and a great deal of pain to his family and friends and to ourselves. However, the one person that will get pleasure from this scenario is perhaps Gary, who is suffering. According to the utilitarian theory, the right action to perform would be to do everything in our power to save Gary, because if we save him there would be a lot more people that will be happy then if we were to let him die. There is only one person who would get pleasure from letting Gary go, and that is Gary himself. One could argue that the person watching Gary suffer will provide that person with a great amount of pain, but if we were to let Gary go, as painful as it may be to watch our friend die and be the one responsible, we may find ourselves happy that he did not suffer. The Greatest Happiness Principle suggest that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to promote the reverse of happiness. In our case study, saving Gary would promote happiness to ourselves and friends and family of Gary, letting Gary succumb to his injuries and letting go will promote the reverse of happiness to ourselves and friends and family of Gary. According to Mill, pleasures are qualitatively different, depending on their origin, meaning some pleasures should be counted more heavily. Does the pleasure we will receive in saving Gary and watching him live outweigh the pleasure Gary might receive by not suffering and dying a quick death. According to…
| The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is determined by its usefulness. (1913 Webster)…
Perle, S.(2004). "Morality and Ethics: An Introduction." Retrieved 2007-02-13., Butchvarov, Panayot. Skepticism in Ethics (1989).…
This essay aims to argue the views of two different theorist, Jeremy Bentham and Immanuel Kant, with regards to their views on moral worth of an action. The idea of good and bad creates heated debates among many, but this essay will successfully unravel the layers of Bentham’s theory of Utilitarianism and his belief that all our motives are driven by pleasure and pain. While arguing Kant’s opposing argument that moral worth of an act revolves around democratic attitudes, and that moral truths are founded on reasons that is logical to all people. When one breaks down both theories, it occurs that Kant’s theory comes out to be the more sensible one in numerous aspects.…
According to Kant, he believes that the only thing unconditionally good is good will. Good will is the idea of people having to do ones moral duty. Kant’s ethical theories are based off of the categorical imperatives. Categorical imperatives, as stated during class, act only on those rules that you can rationally will to be universal. In response to Kant’s theory, I believe that good will is not the only thing that is unconditionally good. I believe this because there will be many instances in life where having a good will can lead to tragic situations.…
1. What are the key differences between utilitarianism, deontology, natural law ethics, and virtue theory?…
In this essay we will discuss what Kant’s and a utilitarian’s view on insider trading would be. As we have discussed in previous essays, Kant believed that moral rules could be known through reason and not just by observation (Shaw and Barry 69). For me this is the basis of all decisions that we make and why I would support Kant’s point of view on insider trading. Utilitarianism concentrates on producing the greatest amount of happiness and using it as a standard to determine if an action is right or wrong (Shaw and Barry 62). Utilitarianism requires too much concentration on individual aspects of what the greatest happiness is and basing moral standards around them.…
Utilitarianism and Kant’s respective have different ways for demonstrating whether an act we do is right or wrong. Corresponding to Kant, we should look at our maxims, intentions, of a particular action. Kantians believe “If we are rational, we will each agree to curb our self-interest and cooperate with one another” (Shafer-Landau, Russ 194). In other words, humans are rational beings capable of rational behavior and should not be used purely for self-interest. On the other hand, Utilitarian’s believe that we should do actions that produce the greatest amount of happiness. However, this could associate using people as mere means and lead to the sacrifice of lives for the greater good.…
“The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation” (Jeremy Bentham). Morality is the distinction between doing what is right and what is wrong. There are many principles of morality like existentialism, utilitarianism, contractarianism, etc. Utilitarianism is defined as doing what is best for the most amount of people. The main question that arises from this theory is: What is considered best? This can be answered through hedonism. Hedonism defines good as anything that can be pleasurable. There are two main kinds of utilitarianism: act and rule. Act utilitarianism is when performing an action, you choose the path that provides the best overall results. Rule utilitarianism is…
| It is the "study of the general nature of morals and of specific moral choices; moral…