Ethical Systems: Deontological, Teleological, And Virtue Ethics
There are three categories when it comes to normative ethical systems; they are deontological, teleological, and virtue ethics. Deontological, and teleological are considered action based theories of morality; they focus completely on the performance of a person’s action. Teleological or consequentialist is ones action judged morally right based on their consequences. When actions are judged morally right and how they conform to some set of duties, then it’s a deontological ethical theory.
Both systems deontological and teleological focus on asking, “What should I do?” however in virtue ethics, it focuses on a completely different question, “What sort of person should I be?” which doesn’t judge the actions based on what’s right or wrong, …show more content…
yet the character of the person; the actions that would make one a good person is based on the moral decisions they make.
The focus upon adherence to independent moral rules or duties are what the deontological moral system is characterized by; we simply must understand what our moral duties are, and understand the rules that regulate those duties in order to make the correct moral choice. We behave morally by following our duty, and behave immorally when we fail to do so.
The focus on the consequences is what the teleological moral system is characterized by, which means we must understand the consequences and the results of our actions.
For example if I decide not to study for an exam, then my choice will result in incorrect consequences, in other words I will fail, which means I acted immorally. However if I do choose to study, then I will be acting morally and pass.
As for virtue ethics, it has les emphasis on which rules people should follow. It focuses more on helping people develop good character traits, such as being generous or kind. When a person develops these traits, it allows them to make the correct choices. This ethical theory also emphasizes on how people should break bad habits, such as hate, anger, or greed. These traits stand in the way of becoming a good person, and are called vices. "Normative Ethical Systems: Deontological, Teleological, and …show more content…
Virtue."
In my opinion, the most valid way of judging ethical conduct is by ethical theory deontological. However, apart of me does follow the teleological and virtue-based theory as well, but I see myself mostly following the deontological theory. For example, if someone were to drive drunk, they violate the duty to “above all do no harm”, which derive from several sources such as religion, psychology, culture, and biology. I personally do not always consider consequences when it comes to certain situations, therefore if the drunk driver made it home safely or caused the death of innocent people due to his/her behavior, I still will view this action as wrong. "Deontology and Ethics: What Is Deontology, Deontological Ethics?"
As for judging a person by his/her action or character, I judge by both depending on the situation.
There is just so many factors one must understand and consider when judging a person, for example in Islam if a man is wealthy enough to support 4 wives “equally”, then he is allowed to have four wives, but when a westerner see’s that, he/she may judge the man as being unethical. This would be an example of judging a persons character; we cannot always judge someone without understanding his or her religion, culture, or tradition. At the same time we cannot always judge someone by his or her actions. For example a person fears or feels threaten by someone, and he/she approaches him or her with violence or abuse, and the person fearing their life shoots that person, do we consider that person a murderer for feeling that way? Or see the person as a victim of violence and
abuse?
Works Cited
"Deontology and Ethics: What Is Deontology, Deontological Ethics?" About.com Agnosticism / Atheism. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. http://atheism.about.com/od/ethicalsystems/a/Deontological.htm
N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .
"Normative Ethical Systems: Deontological, Teleological, and Virtue." About.com Agnosticism / Atheism. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .
Both systems deontological and teleological focus on asking, “What should I do?” however in virtue ethics, it focuses on a completely different question, “What sort of person should I be?” which doesn’t judge the actions based on what’s right or wrong, …show more content…
yet the character of the person; the actions that would make one a good person is based on the moral decisions they make.
The focus upon adherence to independent moral rules or duties are what the deontological moral system is characterized by; we simply must understand what our moral duties are, and understand the rules that regulate those duties in order to make the correct moral choice. We behave morally by following our duty, and behave immorally when we fail to do so.
The focus on the consequences is what the teleological moral system is characterized by, which means we must understand the consequences and the results of our actions.
For example if I decide not to study for an exam, then my choice will result in incorrect consequences, in other words I will fail, which means I acted immorally. However if I do choose to study, then I will be acting morally and pass.
As for virtue ethics, it has les emphasis on which rules people should follow. It focuses more on helping people develop good character traits, such as being generous or kind. When a person develops these traits, it allows them to make the correct choices. This ethical theory also emphasizes on how people should break bad habits, such as hate, anger, or greed. These traits stand in the way of becoming a good person, and are called vices. "Normative Ethical Systems: Deontological, Teleological, and …show more content…
Virtue."
In my opinion, the most valid way of judging ethical conduct is by ethical theory deontological. However, apart of me does follow the teleological and virtue-based theory as well, but I see myself mostly following the deontological theory. For example, if someone were to drive drunk, they violate the duty to “above all do no harm”, which derive from several sources such as religion, psychology, culture, and biology. I personally do not always consider consequences when it comes to certain situations, therefore if the drunk driver made it home safely or caused the death of innocent people due to his/her behavior, I still will view this action as wrong. "Deontology and Ethics: What Is Deontology, Deontological Ethics?"
As for judging a person by his/her action or character, I judge by both depending on the situation.
There is just so many factors one must understand and consider when judging a person, for example in Islam if a man is wealthy enough to support 4 wives “equally”, then he is allowed to have four wives, but when a westerner see’s that, he/she may judge the man as being unethical. This would be an example of judging a persons character; we cannot always judge someone without understanding his or her religion, culture, or tradition. At the same time we cannot always judge someone by his or her actions. For example a person fears or feels threaten by someone, and he/she approaches him or her with violence or abuse, and the person fearing their life shoots that person, do we consider that person a murderer for feeling that way? Or see the person as a victim of violence and
abuse?
Works Cited
"Deontology and Ethics: What Is Deontology, Deontological Ethics?" About.com Agnosticism / Atheism. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. http://atheism.about.com/od/ethicalsystems/a/Deontological.htm
N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .
"Normative Ethical Systems: Deontological, Teleological, and Virtue." About.com Agnosticism / Atheism. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .