This paper discusses the differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. It will include the different way each theory addresses morality and ethics, and personal experiences that explain the relationship between virtue, values and moral concepts relating to the three theories.…
The contents of this paper will analyze the GM ignition case using several concepts taught in ethics. This will include a background of the issue as well as a detailed evaluation of the decision by GM from the utilitarianism and Kantian perspective. This will show that GM’s decision was morally wrong as well as prove that GM should be held morally responsible for their actions.…
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).…
In this essay it is required to compare and contrast the similarities and the differences between three major ethical viewpoints or theories. The three that will be explained are virtue theory, utilitarianism and deontological ethics. Since its revival in the twentieth century, virtue ethics have been broadly termed for a theory that focuses on the role of character and virtue in moral judgment. Most virtue ethics theories take their inspiration from Aristotle who said that a virtuous person is anyone who has ideal or good character traits. This theory judges a person on their character rather than an action that at some times maybe different from their normal behavior.…
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.…
Ethics has been used as a basis of human morals from Greek times to today’s hectic and fast paced society culture; it is based on a number of factors both of a personal and cultural aspect focusing on a people’s conception of right and wrong. Either way philosophers use logic, critical thinking, and reason to find the answers to a wide variety of non-empirical human questions to what is morally right and wrong. Below I have provided information on three ethical concepts of utilitarianism ethics, virtue ethics and deontological ethics.…
Ethics refers to reasonable standards of right and wrong that advise what humans should to do regarding benefits to society, obligations, fairness, or specific virtues (Velasquez, Andre, & Shanks, 2010). Utilitarianism, virtue, and deontological are three ethical theories that deal with individual beliefs and actions. Each person possesses ethics and morals but may not know what they are or how they are used in certain situations. Comparing the three theories will help understand where ethics stand in an individual’s life.…
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from the 18th century who is well known as an essential person in philosophy today. He has made the argument that there are a set of essential ideas that structure human experience and is the source of morality. His thought continues to have a major influence in contemporary thought, especially the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics. Kant’s theory on morality as often been criticized on being too…
Emmanuel Kant (hereinafter “Kant”) believes that Ethics is categorical and states that our moral duties are not dependent on feelings but on reason. He further states that our moral duties are unconditional, universally valid, and necessary, regardless of the possible consequences or opposition to our inclinations (Pojman and Vaughn 239).…
Fraud is generally defined as an omission of a material fact or a misrepresentation of the truth, intended for personal gain or to cause loss to another party. The act of fraud is most commonly committed in order to deprive another of money, property, or a legal right. Fraud is considered criminal activity, and anyone who is affected by a fraudulent act has the ability to file a lawsuit to collect damages. J.C. Penny was accused of marking up the prices on their products and then discounting them to the original price in order to trick customers into thinking they were receiving heavy discounts and better deals. J.C. Penny committed this act for their own personal gain, and in doing so, they deprived their customers of money that they would…
Kant’s moral theory begins from the starting point of the good will. In assessing the moral worth on an action we must focus not on the consequences of results of the action, but on the agent’s will ( the motivation of conducting an action is really important).…
In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. I will be discussing the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality, and lastly explain a personal experience between virtue, values, and moral concepts, and how they relate to one of the three theories. Each ethics has things that are the same and that are different. Virtue theory emphasizes the role in moral philosophy, so instead of doing a duty to show good consequences. Utilitarianism is good actions made by a good person. When the action that is right is finalized there are always repercussions for actions that are not completed. Deontological ethics places a special emphasis on a duty and human actions.…
In this essay I will present an argument to show that Kantian Deontology is not a plausible moral theory because the two fundamental principles from Kant’s Categorical Imperatives are unable to account for the permissibility of certain acts that would otherwise be considered immoral. This would discredit the usefulness of Kant’s theory as a moral guideline because individuals would then be able to commit acts - those of which would be considered immoral according to considered moral judgements - and yet not be proven morally wrong because of the lack of accountability that the principles have. In addition, Kant’s theory would no longer have the value of helping us lead a morally good life - even as a form of moral guideline - than the initial…
To act out of respect for the moral law, in Kant’s view, is to be moved to act by moral requirements even when you are not moved by the moral law itself. Morality begins to depreciate when moral acts are done at the convenience of humankind, because the moral self, starts to lose sight of the importance of others, and what is the point of morality if it is not to enrich our own lives by helping…
Deontology is the ethical view that some actions are morally forbidden or permitted regardless of consequences. One of the most influential deontological philosophers in history is Immanuel Kant who developed the idea of the Categorical Imperative. Kant believed that the only thing of intrinsic moral worth is a good will. Kant says in his work Morality and Rationality "The good will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes or because of it's adequacy to achieve some proposed end; it is good only because of it's willing, i.e., it is good of itself". A maxim is the generalized rule that characterizes the motives for a person's actions. For Kant, a will that is good is one that is acting by the maxim of doing the right thing because it is right thing to do. The moral worth of an action is determined by whether or not it was acted upon out of respect for the moral law, or the Categorical Imperative. Imperatives in general imply something we ought to do however there is a distinction between categorical imperatives and hypothetical imperatives. Hypothetical imperatives are obligatory so long as we desire X. If we desire X we ought to do Y. However, categorical imperatives are not subject to conditions. The Categorical Imperative is universally binding to all rational creatures because they are rational. Kant proposes three formulations the Categorical Imperative in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Moral, the Universal Law formulation, Humanity or End in Itself formulation, and Kingdom of Ends formulation. In this essay, the viablity of the Universal Law formulation is tested by discussing two objections to it, mainly the idea that the moral laws are too absolute and the existence of false positives and false negatives.…