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Deontological Versus Teleological Ethical Systems

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Deontological Versus Teleological Ethical Systems
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July 8, 2011

Deontological Versus Teleological Ethical Systems
Ethical Systems
Ethical systems are ordered principles or guidelines to make moral decisions. They are the source of moral beliefs. Ethical systems help define what is right or good. Ethical systems are morals that are shared by a group of people, but not all people always agree to what is right or good. There are seven major ethical systems. These major systems are ethical formalism, utilitarianism, religion, natural law, ethics of virtue, ethics of care, and egoism. Each of these major ethical systems is either classified as deontological, teleological, or virtue.
Deontological Ethical Systems
A deontological ethical system is based on the idea that we have a duty to do certain things and not doing certain things. The word deontological comes from “deonto” meaning “duty” in Greek (Wittjen). With the deontological ethical system, one would consider the basic duties and rights of individuals or groups and make a decision based on your moral beliefs.
Ethical formalism is deontological and is a type of theory which defines moral judgments in terms of their logical form rather than their content. Ethical formalism is considered as an absolutist system. If something is wrong, it is wrong all the time. Just as if something if right, it is right all the time. For example, the death sentence is wrong because death to someone and anyone is wrong all the time regardless of a crime they may have committed (Wadsworth, 2005).
Religion Ethics is deontological. Religion ethics is when a religion provides moral judgments and directions on how to live one’s life. What is good is that which conforms to god’s will (Wadsworth, 2005). An example of religion ethics would be to not steal because one of the Ten Commandments is thou shall not steal.

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