Ethics Essays
Ethics Essay
Sheber Smith
ETH / 316
March 10, 2014
Mrs. Monica McMorise
Ethics Essay
In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Ethical development is an important tool needed in today’s society. Virtue theory emphasizes the need for people to learn how to break bad habit of character, like greed or anger. These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person. Place emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead of focus on helping people develop good character traits such as kindness and generosity. Will, in turn allow a person to make the correct decision later on in life.
Utilitarianism, the ethical doctrine that the greatest good; the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action. According to philosophy, an action is morally right if it consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain).
Deontological ethics focus entirely upon the actions which a person performs. Those theories focus on the question, “which action should I choose”?
Here are some description of the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality. Utilitarianism morality is the result of act. Focus on the consequences. A moral act is what will bring the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Virtue ethics morality stem from the identity or character of the person, rather than being a reflection of the actions. There are certain characteristics which are virtue. People possessing these virtues is what make one moral, one’s actions are reflection of their own inner morality. Boylan (2009). There are two major ethic theories utilitarianism and deontological, that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles. Utilitarianism (also called consequencelism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern
Sheber Smith
ETH / 316
March 10, 2014
Mrs. Monica McMorise
Ethics Essay
In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Ethical development is an important tool needed in today’s society. Virtue theory emphasizes the need for people to learn how to break bad habit of character, like greed or anger. These are called vices and stand in the way of becoming a good person. Place emphasis on which rules people should follow and instead of focus on helping people develop good character traits such as kindness and generosity. Will, in turn allow a person to make the correct decision later on in life.
Utilitarianism, the ethical doctrine that the greatest good; the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action. According to philosophy, an action is morally right if it consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain).
Deontological ethics focus entirely upon the actions which a person performs. Those theories focus on the question, “which action should I choose”?
Here are some description of the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality. Utilitarianism morality is the result of act. Focus on the consequences. A moral act is what will bring the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Virtue ethics morality stem from the identity or character of the person, rather than being a reflection of the actions. There are certain characteristics which are virtue. People possessing these virtues is what make one moral, one’s actions are reflection of their own inner morality. Boylan (2009). There are two major ethic theories utilitarianism and deontological, that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles. Utilitarianism (also called consequencelism) is a moral theory developed and refined in the modern