StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Ethical Theories: Description And Application - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
Ethical Theories: Description and Application The purpose of this paper is to examine three major ethical theories. These theories include Deontology and Utilitarianism, as well as the moral theory of David Hume, which is a type of virtue ethics. I will outline each major theory and explain their strengths and weaknesses…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.6% of users find it useful
Ethical Theories: Description And Application
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Ethical Theories: Description And Application"

Download file to see previous pages

Utilitarianism is a specific brand of consequentialism, where the moral status of an action is based on the utility or usefulness of its consequences. The action that results in the greatest amount of utility is considered morally right, where any actions resulting in less overall utility are considered morally wrong. In Classical Utilitarianism, utility is usually defined as pleasure. In this theory, the morally prescribed action is often described as the action that results in the greatest amount of good, for the greatest number of people involved (Sinott-Armstrong, sec.1). If you take into consideration all of the consequences of a particular action, and that action results in more net good, than net bad, then that action is morally permissible (Sinnott-Armstrong, sec.1). Deontological systems of ethics are often explained in contrast to consequentialist ones, because they are essentially the opposite.

Where consequentialist theories focus entirely on the consequences of the act, deontological theories focus on the act itself (Alexander, sec. 1). According to deontological theories, some acts are simply wrong and should never be done regardless of the consequences (Alexander, sec. 1). . See whether a world is even conceivable, where every person must complete that action, and if it is, whether you would rationally will that it become a universal law. If so, then that action is morally permissible (Johnson, sec. 5). Hume’s theory of Morality is more of a descriptive theory than a prescriptive one.

Unlike Utilitarianism and Deontological theories, which are systems that give you a system on which to base your actions, Hume’s theory is empirical, meaning he describes his observations on how people tend to think and feel about morality. He observes how immoral vs. moral actions affect other people, and what people think about someone who acts morally vs. someone who acts immorally. As stated in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Hume’s theory of morality is based upon the following four theses: “(1) Reason alone cannot be a motive to the will, but rather is the “slave of the passions” (2) Moral distinctions are not derived from reason. (3) Moral distinctions are derived from the moral sentiments: feelings of approval (esteem, praise) and disapproval (blame) felt by spectators who contemplate a character trait or action. (4) While some virtues and vices are natural, others, including justice, are artificial” (Cohon, par. 1). In his first and second theses, Hume sets himself in opposition to traditional moral thinkers (including both deontological and consequentialists), who viewed morality as a struggle between reason and emotion.

These philosophers thought that in order to act morally, one must behave in a way that is “rational” (Cohon, sec. 3). If you resist reason and give in to contrary passions then you will end up behaving in way that is immoral (Cohon, sec. 3). Hume, however,

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Ethical Theories: Description And Application Research Paper”, n.d.)
Ethical Theories: Description And Application Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/engineering-and-construction/1438637-review-of-three-ethical-theories
(Ethical Theories: Description And Application Research Paper)
Ethical Theories: Description And Application Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/engineering-and-construction/1438637-review-of-three-ethical-theories.
“Ethical Theories: Description And Application Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/engineering-and-construction/1438637-review-of-three-ethical-theories.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Ethical Theories: Description And Application

Philosophy - Ethical Theories

This essay "Philosophy - ethical theories" discusses the criteria through which the laws of equality can be established.... If an organism is sensitive to pain, which all animals are, then it is of utmost importance to take significant action to ease their suffering and provide them with equal rights....
6 Pages (1500 words) Admission/Application Essay

Ethical decision model

Ethical Decision Model Name of Author Author's Affiliation Author Note Author note with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact 1- The Setting: description of the Situation The purpose of this study is to find out whether substituting cyclohexane in place of toluene in its glues is appropriate.... As is seen through various theories and studies, there are a lot of ways as to how to address these issues in the most ethical way....
4 Pages (1000 words) Admission/Application Essay

Business Dependence on Trade Cycle

Almost all countries in the contemporary world have adopted strict open door polices in business.... The degree of business… Even so, it should be noted that extent of economic volatility and complexity has risen on the global forum and this has become an issue for contemporary business firms....
11 Pages (2750 words) Admission/Application Essay

Ethics as a Field of Study

In ethics, there are a number of theories that offer the moral principles upon which moral decisions should be based.... These theories include the Utilitarian theory of ethics, the deontological theory of ethics and virtue ethics.... Each of these three theories of ethics offers the criterion and the moral principle upon which moral decisions should be based.... Ethical decision making, therefore, is the making of moral decisions based on the established theories or principles of ethics....
7 Pages (1750 words) Admission/Application Essay

Technical Definition and Description

It is used for various purposes such as household, domestic and also organizational The aim of this technical description is to provide the detailed analysis of the manufacturing process of steel.... Besides this, the study also emphasizes the description of steel in details....
5 Pages (1250 words) Admission/Application Essay

Business Situation Presenting Ethical and Legal Issues

ethical theories under, which the Situation can be Analyzed One of the ethical theories that can be applied to analyze the situation is the Rights Ethical Theory.... Deontological Theory application.... application of Deaontologial Theory in Criminal Cases.... In the contemporary society, one major ethical issue facing many businesses is the exposure of employees and the general public to unsafe working environments....
1 Pages (250 words) Admission/Application Essay

Ethical Research Concerns on Criminal Justice and Security Management

ethical decision-making in criminal justice is inevitable.... The ethical guidelines require that the researcher should ensure that adequate statistical and subject-matter expertise in both applied to any planned study in the psychological field.... In terms of responsibility, ethical guidelines clearly state that a person should maintain personal responsibility for all the work bearing his/her name.... In this regard, this paper tries to understand ethical research concerns on Criminal Justice....
3 Pages (750 words) Admission/Application Essay

Ethical Dilemma

Furthermore, customer loyalty, which is fostered by reliability of services, grossly determines the success… In an era where customer expectations from suppliers is high, coupled with declining customer loyalty and increase in demand volatility presents a great challenge to the ethical dilemma al affiliation It is ethically underpinning for suppliers of commodities in the chain of distribution to ensure the steady supply of commodities to avert potential impromptu shortages....
2 Pages (500 words) Admission/Application Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us