Ethics Essay

Ethics Essay

Phillip Voliva

ETH/316

November 11, 2013

Fernan R. Cepero, PHR

Abstract

In this essay I will attempt to compare the similarities and the differences between virtue and deontological ethics, and utilitarianism. It will include a description of how each theory addresses ethics and morality and the differences between them. I will also talk about the differences these three theories have, as related to my own personal experience, with virtue, values, and moral concepts.

Ethics Essay

Virtue ethics does not focus on whether the consequences of a particular action are good, whether the correct rule is being followed or even if the person's intentions are right, though these are not excluded. Instead, it focuses on the kind of person who is acting. Instead, what it asks is the person who is acting expressing good character or not. In this case, good character is defined by what kind of moral virtues are exhibited. Some examples of moral virtues would be defined as admirable character traits that contribute to social harmony, the ability to act in accordance with reason, to believe we have the right intention and to gravitate towards the middle ground, rather than the extremes. Virtue ethics is commonly used to judge whether an action is right or wrong by relating the choice to admirable character traits (Garrett, 2005).

What characterizes a deontological moral system is a focus upon independent moral rules or duties. In order to follow this moral system, we must understand what our moral duties are and what rules exist to enforce those duties. A deontological moral system states that when we are behaving morally, we are doing our duty. If we fail to do so, we are considered to be engaging in immoral behavior. Usually, in this type of system, these rules and obligations are seen to be determined by God. Therefore, to be moral is to obey God. The flaw in this system, of course, is what values are given to your particular god. If your particular god says it is immoral to lie, no matter what, then, to use an extreme example, if a Nazi had asked you if you knew where any Jews were hiding, you would be morally bound to tell them (Cline, 2013).

Andre (2010), " Utilitarianism ethics is a moral principle that holds that the morally right course of action in any situation is the one that produces the greatest balance of benefits over harms for everyone affected " (Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics). If the course of action taken produces the maximum amount of benefits for everyone involved, then whether these benefits come about by lies, manipulation, or coercion is irrelevant. This type of moral reasoning is most