Ethics

Ethical Theories Similarities and Differences

June 11, 2014

ETH/316

Introduction

Ethics is an examination of what is the action of individuals. Ethics is also the examination of right and wrong in the life of individuals. There are several different types of ethics. This paper will discuss three ethical theories which include utilitarianism, virtue, and deontological. Each of the three ethics has many similarities and differences, but all are very interesting. Also this paper will conclude with a personal experience explaining the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as to how the three relates to one of the three ethical theories.

The virtue ethical theory describes a person by his personality rather than by an action which differs from a person normal action. The person’s reputation, motivation, and morals are taken into consideration when determining an irregular and unusual behavior which is meant to be unethical. This ethical theory does not take a person’s development in moral character into consideration. The utilitarian ethical theory is established on the capability to conclude the consequences of a person’s action. The choice’s which are ethically correct is the greatest benefit to most people from a utilitarian point of view. There are two types of utilitarianism, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Compared to all ethical theories, after all, both act and rule utilitarianism has many faults. The faults are associated with trying to predict the future. People tend to use past life experiences to predict actions, but no person can be sure the predictions will be real. The deontological theory says people should abide by duties and obligations when evaluating an ethical problem. Explanation of this theory is a person will follow his or her duties and obligations to another person of society because doing so is meant to be ethically correct. Deontology may have many positive aspects, it also have faults. One is the...