Similarities and Differences Between Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics

Similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics

Peter Valenzuela

ETH316

November 3, 2011

Donna Craft

.

Virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology theories try to establish a moral standard that a virtues person can live and act by. These approaches to ethics have similarities and differences that ultimately fall prey to interpretation. This is an evaluation of the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics that rest on the concept of goodness.

The similarity between these theories is that they try to set a standard by which a good moral person can live by within a community. Virtue ethics measure a person by his character and moral standing within a community in determination of his goodness. In utilitarianism an individual is a good moral person when his actions benefit the needs of the community over personal needs. Similarly in deontology, a person is good and moral when his choice of action within a community is inherently moral and good, the right choice. Therefore, the common ground between these three theories is goodness and morality as perceived by others within communities such as a work environment, a group of friends, and family.

The differences between these three theories are how a community identifies a person as good, moral, and ethical. Virtue ethics looks directly into the character of a person to establish whether he is good and moral and the evaluation of his character in the long term. Utilitarianism and deontology look at actions instead of character, these actions are good and moral when they benefit the entire community, and they are inherently good. So the core difference between these three theories is actions versus character in determining the goodness and morality of a person.

From a personal perspective the ethical choice would have to be a blending of virtue ethics and deontology in an attempt to live as a good and moral...