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From the above table, it can be concluded that Theo decision to exaggerate his work experience on his curriculum vitae is considered to be ethical, in a utilitarian sense. This assumption was drawn from a thorough analysis that portrays the potential benefits marginally outweighing the harms associated within this case.

Kantian Ethics

In a Kantian perspective, Theos maxim cannot be deemed as universally acceptable, for if everyone were to lie on their curriculum vitae’s, we would reach a contradiction in conception, with the idea that universal lying would undermine the purpose of applying for positions as prospective employers could never be certain of the sincerity of the information that is given to them. Therefore in testing this specific maxim against the categorical imperative, it can be concluded that it is in fact impermissible in regards to universal acceptability and respect. It can also be concluded that Tom's decision to exaggerate his work experience on his curriculum vitae is not considered ethical when referring to Kantian ethics.

Virtue ethics

As a virtuous person, Tom ought to be truthful

A second perspective, virtue ethics, also maintains that lying is morally wrong, though less strictly than Kant. Rather than judge right or wrong behavior on the basis of reason and what people should or should not do, virtue ethicists focus on the development of character or what people should be. Virtues are desirable qualities of persons that predispose them to act in a certain manner. Fairness, for example, is a virtue we may choose to strive toward in pursuit of fulfilling our human potential. In virtue ethics, to be virtuous is to be ethical.

Though the nature of virtue ethics makes it difficult to assess the morality of individual acts, those who advocate this theory generally consider lying wrong because it opposes the virtue of honesty. There is some debate whether a lie told in pursuit of another virtue (e.g., compassion: the...