Similarities and Differences in Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics Eth/316
Similarities and Differences in Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics
When talking about ethics it is hard to distinguish between ethics and morality. It is also hard to distinguish exactly what realm of ethics contributes to my everyday decisions. Ethics can be defined as “well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues [and] ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards” (Andre, Shanks, & Velasquez, 2010, para. 8-9). According to Psychology Today (2013) morality is, “ethics, evil, greed, sin, and conscience” (para. 1). “Morals can vary from person to person and culture to culture, many are practically universal, as they result from basic human emotions” (Psychology Today, 2013, para. 1). Today, I will take a look at the differences in virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics and how each theory addresses ethics and morality.
Virtue Theory “takes the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do” (Boylan, 2009, p. 133). This theory tends to take the complacent of being both moral and nonmoral (Boylan, 2009, p. 133). Virtue ethics takes on view points from Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas, each adapting the original theory. Aristotle states, “Every art and every methodological investigation and every action seems to aim at some good, for this reason the good is rightly said to be that to which all things aim” (Boylan, 2009, p. 135). According to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, “Morality is seen not as something to be done simply because it is right, per se, but because it contributes to the most choiceworthy of lives” (Boylan, 2009, p. 137). Virtue ethics comes down to be content or having a sense of well-being (Boylan, 2009, p. 137).
“Utilitarianism is a theory that suggests that an action is morally right when
When talking about ethics it is hard to distinguish between ethics and morality. It is also hard to distinguish exactly what realm of ethics contributes to my everyday decisions. Ethics can be defined as “well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues [and] ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards” (Andre, Shanks, & Velasquez, 2010, para. 8-9). According to Psychology Today (2013) morality is, “ethics, evil, greed, sin, and conscience” (para. 1). “Morals can vary from person to person and culture to culture, many are practically universal, as they result from basic human emotions” (Psychology Today, 2013, para. 1). Today, I will take a look at the differences in virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics and how each theory addresses ethics and morality.
Virtue Theory “takes the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do” (Boylan, 2009, p. 133). This theory tends to take the complacent of being both moral and nonmoral (Boylan, 2009, p. 133). Virtue ethics takes on view points from Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas, each adapting the original theory. Aristotle states, “Every art and every methodological investigation and every action seems to aim at some good, for this reason the good is rightly said to be that to which all things aim” (Boylan, 2009, p. 135). According to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, “Morality is seen not as something to be done simply because it is right, per se, but because it contributes to the most choiceworthy of lives” (Boylan, 2009, p. 137). Virtue ethics comes down to be content or having a sense of well-being (Boylan, 2009, p. 137).
“Utilitarianism is a theory that suggests that an action is morally right when
References: Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Velasquez, M. (2010). What is Ethics. Markkula Center For Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html Psychology Today. (2013). What is Morality? Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/morality Boylan, M. (2009). Basic ethics (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.