Ethics

Running head: Ethics 1

Types of Ethics

Kamryn White

Strayer University

Ethics 2

Abstract

The following paper will highlight three types of ethics: metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. Along with giving brief summaries of each, examples will also be included.

Ethics 3

Ethics

The first ethics of choice to discuss is metaethics. According to our textbook, metaethics is defined as standing above normative ethics in overseeing or evaluating the specific claims and arguments made by its normative counterpart (Williams, 2008 p. 42). A few questions such as: Where our moral principles and frameworks originate from; do we really have a say in our actions or are our actions dictated by forces beyond our control; and what is right or wrong, are all questions that are intrigued by metaethics (Williams, 2008 p. 42). According to the neohumanism article, the metaethics goal is to understand the nature of ethical evaluations (neohumanism.org). A few examples of these questions are: What exactly does it mean to say something is “good”; how can we distinguish between “right” and “wrong”; how do moral attitudes motivate action; and are there objective values (neohumanism.org)? My interpretation of what metaethics is defined as, is simply distinguishing the difference in “right” from “wrong.” As Mahatma Gandhi stated, “The only tyrant I accept in this world is the ‘still small voice’ within” (ethicsmorals.com).

The second ethics of choice to discuss is normative ethics. According to our textbook, normative ethics is defined as basically coming to a conclusion concerning moral standards, principles, and guidelines of “right” and “wrong,” posing answers to questions such as: What should I do; and how should I live my life (Williams, 2008 p. 42)? A few more questions addressed, according to normative ethics are: What actions are good and bad; and what should we do (neohumanism.org)? Normative ethics...