Checkpoint

Axia College Material

Appendix B

Ethical Theories Chart

Complete the chart below using information from the weekly readings and additional research if necessary. Include APA formatted in-text citations when applicable and list all references at the bottom of the page.

Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism

Deontological

Virtue ethics

Definition

Ethical decisions need to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm to society. (Trevino & Nelson, 2007)

Someone who focuses on doing what is “right” according to their own morals and values. (Trevino & Nelson, 2007)

A focus on integrity, or virtue ethics, deal with primarily a person’s intentions, motivations, and character, as opposed to rules or consequences, as their key element of ethical thinking.  (Trevino & Nelson, 2007)

Ethical thinker associated with theory

Jeremy Bentham

(Sweet, 2008)

Immanuel Kant

(PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS, 1993)

Rosalind Hursthouse

Decision-making process

What action nets the best consequences over bad consequences? Approaches a decision by looking at different actions and consequences associated with a dilemma.

(Trevino & Nelson, 2007)

A deontological thinker makes decisions based on good and bad. A good decision is telling the truth, keeping promises, and respecting others while a bad decision is lying, steeling, disrespect, and disregard for others. A deontological thinker makes good decisions. Choosing what to do simply because it is the right thing to do.

A virtues thinker makes decisions based on the community standards without having to go through a process of deciding what is right, wrong, good, or bad without having a conflict of interests. (Trevino & Nelson, 2007)

Workplace example

An example of this is someone who has insider information about a company. They know that what is about to happen within the company will increase the stock of the company. Utilitarianism will weigh the pros and cons of...