Difference Between Virtue Theory Utilitarianism, And Deontological Ethics
Ethics Essay
Your Name
ETH/316
February 16, 2014
John Bevell
Ethics Essay
Virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics are three of the different approaches to ethics. This paper will go over the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and the deontological principles. It will also include information of the variations in how each concept details ethics, morality, and will also discuss a personal experience to describe the correlation between virtue, values, and moral perceptions as they relate to one of the three theories.
Virtue theory, utilitarianism and deontological ethics are similar in that they each represent how morality and ethics can be judged. …show more content…
They differ by judging the different aspects of what is right or best. Each has a unique definition and can be used in different situations to determine if decisions were made ethically (Boylan, 2009). Having a full understanding of the similarities and difference between the three theories begins by explaining each ethic theory. Virtue theory does not judge a person as good or bad based upon one single action in their lives. Rather, it takes a look over time to judge one’s character. Virtue ethics is a way to look at someone’s character development over a period of time, one’s career, or perhaps a lifetime (Boylan, 2009). Virtue theory also looks at past mistakes that are not normally in a person’s historical nature. For example, a virtuous person is someone who is kind across many situations over a lifetime because that is their character and not because they want to maximize utility or gain favors or simply do their duty (Virtue, 2010). It is the view that one should try to cultivate excellence in all that one does and in all that others do. Physicians’ continuing education on the latest procedures in order to best serve their patients would be an example of virtue ethics.
Utilitarianism is a theory that states that an action is right when that action can create more help for yourself or for a group than any other option. Making the good of the group a priority as a whole rather than the good of an individual is an example of utilitarianism. Where virtue ethics judges individual achievements, utilitarianism says the individual acts are ethical if their actions benefit the group even though it may not be good for a single person in the group (Boylan, 2009). An example of this could be associated to the Learning Teams at University of Phoenix. If one person in the group is a better leader or delegator, it is best for the group if that person remains the team leader and delegates tasks to the other members rather than rotating the responsibility each week because that person will help the team achieve a higher grade as opposed to another individual in the group taking lead.
Deontology ethic theory states that there is a vital importance on the relations between liability and the principles of actions, which human take.
It places more weight on the adherence to obligations and duties when analyzing an ethical dilemma. This emphasis is placed on the action itself rather than the outcome of an action. Religious denominations practice this ethical theory because of rules, such as the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are meant to be followed and if not, it is considered unethical. Deontology suggests that all actions must be measured by their adherence to rules or duty and not the effects they produce (Boylan, …show more content…
2009).
A personal experience of virtue, values, and moral concepts would have to be when I lost my cellphone a few months back when I was visiting Universal Citywalk.
I was there for almost the whole day and into the night never realizing that I had lost my phone until I was already on the drive back home. What was even worse was that my phone case also played as my wallet. It had some cash, my driver’s license, and all of my credit cards in it. The following morning I called the venue to find out if there was anything turned in to the lost and found. To my disappointment, there wasn’t. I left a telephone number and address they could reach me in case something turned up. I was just about to start calling the credit card companies to cancel my cards when I received a phone call. It was from a police officer that was patrolling the area when a truck driver flagged him down. The truck driver had made a stop at Universal Citywalk before his long drive across country when he found my phone and wallet on the ground. He took it and brought it to the officers so that they could help track down the owner and since he needed to be on the road to the east coast. The officers then delivered it to my home address with everything in tact, including my cash! Although this was only one incident I experienced of the mysterious truck driver, it says a lot about his virtue ethics. The officers, although it is their duty to protect and to serve, show
utilitarianism.
When breaking down virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics, they each have the same commonality of doing what is right instead of doing what is wrong. What is important to remember about all types of ethics is that for every action, there is a consequence. Recognize this fact but also make the right decisions that will leave you living a life of high virtue, value, and moral standards.
References
Boylan, M. (2009). Basic ethics (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Virtue. (2010). In Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/virtue/
Your Name
ETH/316
February 16, 2014
John Bevell
Ethics Essay
Virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics are three of the different approaches to ethics. This paper will go over the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and the deontological principles. It will also include information of the variations in how each concept details ethics, morality, and will also discuss a personal experience to describe the correlation between virtue, values, and moral perceptions as they relate to one of the three theories.
Virtue theory, utilitarianism and deontological ethics are similar in that they each represent how morality and ethics can be judged. …show more content…
They differ by judging the different aspects of what is right or best. Each has a unique definition and can be used in different situations to determine if decisions were made ethically (Boylan, 2009). Having a full understanding of the similarities and difference between the three theories begins by explaining each ethic theory. Virtue theory does not judge a person as good or bad based upon one single action in their lives. Rather, it takes a look over time to judge one’s character. Virtue ethics is a way to look at someone’s character development over a period of time, one’s career, or perhaps a lifetime (Boylan, 2009). Virtue theory also looks at past mistakes that are not normally in a person’s historical nature. For example, a virtuous person is someone who is kind across many situations over a lifetime because that is their character and not because they want to maximize utility or gain favors or simply do their duty (Virtue, 2010). It is the view that one should try to cultivate excellence in all that one does and in all that others do. Physicians’ continuing education on the latest procedures in order to best serve their patients would be an example of virtue ethics.
Utilitarianism is a theory that states that an action is right when that action can create more help for yourself or for a group than any other option. Making the good of the group a priority as a whole rather than the good of an individual is an example of utilitarianism. Where virtue ethics judges individual achievements, utilitarianism says the individual acts are ethical if their actions benefit the group even though it may not be good for a single person in the group (Boylan, 2009). An example of this could be associated to the Learning Teams at University of Phoenix. If one person in the group is a better leader or delegator, it is best for the group if that person remains the team leader and delegates tasks to the other members rather than rotating the responsibility each week because that person will help the team achieve a higher grade as opposed to another individual in the group taking lead.
Deontology ethic theory states that there is a vital importance on the relations between liability and the principles of actions, which human take.
It places more weight on the adherence to obligations and duties when analyzing an ethical dilemma. This emphasis is placed on the action itself rather than the outcome of an action. Religious denominations practice this ethical theory because of rules, such as the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are meant to be followed and if not, it is considered unethical. Deontology suggests that all actions must be measured by their adherence to rules or duty and not the effects they produce (Boylan, …show more content…
2009).
A personal experience of virtue, values, and moral concepts would have to be when I lost my cellphone a few months back when I was visiting Universal Citywalk.
I was there for almost the whole day and into the night never realizing that I had lost my phone until I was already on the drive back home. What was even worse was that my phone case also played as my wallet. It had some cash, my driver’s license, and all of my credit cards in it. The following morning I called the venue to find out if there was anything turned in to the lost and found. To my disappointment, there wasn’t. I left a telephone number and address they could reach me in case something turned up. I was just about to start calling the credit card companies to cancel my cards when I received a phone call. It was from a police officer that was patrolling the area when a truck driver flagged him down. The truck driver had made a stop at Universal Citywalk before his long drive across country when he found my phone and wallet on the ground. He took it and brought it to the officers so that they could help track down the owner and since he needed to be on the road to the east coast. The officers then delivered it to my home address with everything in tact, including my cash! Although this was only one incident I experienced of the mysterious truck driver, it says a lot about his virtue ethics. The officers, although it is their duty to protect and to serve, show
utilitarianism.
When breaking down virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics, they each have the same commonality of doing what is right instead of doing what is wrong. What is important to remember about all types of ethics is that for every action, there is a consequence. Recognize this fact but also make the right decisions that will leave you living a life of high virtue, value, and moral standards.
References
Boylan, M. (2009). Basic ethics (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Virtue. (2010). In Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/virtue/