...Ethics Essay Teresa Galindo ETH/316 January 11, 2016 Matt Barrett Ethics Essay Ethical theories are sets of rules that are meant to serve as a foundation to help people find solutions when they encounter ethically-challenging situations in life. These rules are guidelines for how humans should behave when relating to one another (Panza, 2010). This essay will compare the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. A situational example will be added to demonstrate how the utilitarian theory relates to virtue, values and morals. Ethical Theories - Similarities The virtue theory centers around the idea that all ethical choices are based on an individual’s morals and beliefs. The results of the decisions made by that individual are solely based on what he/she considers morally correct even if in some instances laws might be broken. The utilitarian theory is based on the idea decisions must be made to ensure the results benefit the “greater-good” not just for one person’s self-interest. The outcome should decrease suffering and increase happiness of the world. The virtue and utilitarian theories are similar in that their purpose is to reduce suffering regardless of pre-imposed laws. Deontological theory revolves around making decisions based purely on obeying pre-set rules and laws. Obeying the pre-conceived rules and laws is the correct thing to do even if the outcome could increase suffering (Manias, Monroe, &...
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...Ethics comparison essay Michael Njus ETH316 June 23, 2014 Aubrey Weekes Ethics comparison essay INTRODUCTION This paper will take a look at three different theories of ethics. The three theories are deontological, utilitarianism and virtue theory. The basics of ethics theories are similar in the fact that they are all a set of rules that govern what is deemed to be right or wrong, the following will define each and attempt to point out some differences in the theories. Deontological ethics, are ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Deontology (Greek deon, “duty,” and logos, “science”) consequently focuses on logic and ethics (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014) Utilitarianism is a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences; specifically: a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number. (Merriam Webster, 2014) Virtue ethics is a broad term for theories that emphasize the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than either doing one’s duty or acting in order to bring about good consequences. (Athanassoulis, 2014) While the aim of all three theories is that we should strive to do what is right, the length that we should go to and who they would affect is the main difference in the three. The main difference...
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...Running head: ETHICS ESSAY Ethics Essay Rebecca Ferns University of Phoenix ETH316 Jamal Ibrahim June 12, 2013 Ethics Essay Introduction The BBC’s Ethics Guide (2013) explains, “At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives.” However, there are various principles within the philosophical practice of ethics that shape how those decisions are made. In this essay virtual, utilitarianism and deontological theoretical ethical theories will be defined and compared. Virtue Ethics In the Basic Ethics textbook (Boylan, 2009), virtue ethics is defined as “taking the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do. These excellences or virtues are both moral and non-moral. For instance, this principle takes the long look at one’s character and is somewhat forgiving of an occasional slipup that is not in consonance with that person’s historical character.” Thus, for instance, people who lied occasionally were not necessarily immoral or bad people if they did not lie regularly. These lies are especially acceptable for instance if the person only lies in order to protect another person’s safety or feelings. Utilitarianism Meanwhile, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Driver, 2009) explains that “utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good. One thing...
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...Ethics Essay ETH/316 Ethics Essay Virtue theory has a definition of cultivating excellence in life and constituting an aspect of the “good person” (Boylan, 2009). Virtue theory is a theory that emphasizes that role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than doing one’s duty or action in order to bring about good consequences. Utilitarianism according to Boylan (2009),” is a theory that suggests that an action is morally right when that action produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative and sometimes this has been shortened to the slogan, “The greatest good for the greatest number”. (p. 153). Deontological ethics, in philosophy, ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Deontological places a special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions (Britannica Encyclopedia, 2001). The common similarities between each ethics give the impression that they are one. Virtue ethics determine the good and bad trait of each person. Utilitarianism holds almost the same ethics values, which is to find the good in the person’s action. The Deontological ethics action is morally good because of an action, and the result of that action is good. Deontological ethics holds acts that are morally obligatory of their consequences for human actions. The difference between each ethics is that Utilitarianism is about morality...
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...Ethics Essay Michael McPhetrige ETH316 09/19/2013 Mr. David Trammell Ethics Essay In our world, there are many different ways to approach ethics. We all have our different opinions on what ethics are, or as I like to say, our own ethical codes. However, we can relate to other peoples theories. Some theories that can be related to, but are different from each other, are virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. “Utilitarianism is a theory that suggest that an action is morally right when that action produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative” (Boylan, 2009). Basically, utilitarianism looks out for the greater good of the group instead of an individual. This means that if you are a hinder to the group, making a change in yourself or your position to better the group is utilitarianism. I believe this theory is a very good one. It is about putting others before you. The world might be a better place if everyone thought this way. The Virtue theory is based more on an individual’s character. “It takes the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do” (Boylan, 2009). Reading this I was thinking about “one hit wonders” in the music industry (especially rappers). In rap music, should someone be considered one of the greats because they made one good song? Or should rappers like Tupac and Eminem be legends because they have had multiple platinum selling albums?...
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...Ethics Essay John Doe ETH316 March 17, 2014 Cherie Barnes Ethics Essay Throughout history large diverse groups of people have lived together in communities of many types. All have made assumptions about who, what, and why we value what we value and what is important in each individual person’s lives. A big part of these assumptions are how each individual feels about what is right and what is wrong, as well as what actions are legal. These assumptions are grounded in ethics but what is ethics? According to Boylan (2009), in chapter one: Some view ethics as all about intuiting what is true from some other realm. Others think that it is a conventional linguistic/cultural exercise at descriptivism. Still others…believe that it is about realistic assessments about the world that inform upon the grounding of normativity. Thus, for this author, ethics is the science concerning the “right and wrong” of human action. Philosophers throughout time have studied these assumptions and came up with many theories. Three of the most popular are: Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics. This essay will compare the similarities and differences between the three. Virtue theory is also called character ethics. Many people use the Boy Scout law as an example of virtue theory. A Boy Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous; Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. Virtue Ethics takes the viewpoint that all humans should...
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...Community Profiles: Social Responsibilities Johnny Vega University of Phoenix ETH316 Charles Daniels 19June 2014 Community Profiles: Social Responsibilities Social responsibilities are essential for community residents, whether in rural, suburban, or urban venues. Although the prevailing community and individual ethics and moral obligations are identified, the greater good to the communities is demonstrated through a primary theme; individual practices addressing social responsibilities within the communities that strengthen an ethical and moral lens. Our comparative analysis will address critical thinking processes defining conceivable responsibilities of the individuals to the communities, communities’ responsibilities to the individuals, and effects of social responsibilities on the communities. We will focus on the diverse Texas communities of the Shady Mountain sub-division of Leander (rural), the Shadow Glen sub-division of Manor (suburban), and the Kyle neighborhood (urban) (City of Kyle, n.d. and ShadowGlen HOA, 2014 and United States Census Bureau, 2010). Community Profiles Aside from venue differences, the Kyle neighborhood and Shadow Glen communityabideby formal Home Owner’s Association (HOA)...
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...Scenario Wyoming's Upper Green River Valley is a crucial link to Yellowstone ecosystem. Every year thousands of animals including Antelope, Elk, and Mule deer, pass through the valley on a long migration from the Grand Tetons to their winter grazing pastures. This valley is also home to the rare Sage-Grouse. The valley is also the home to the vital trout habitat of the headwaters of the Colorado River. People have compared the green valley river environment to the environment of the Serengeti, because of the spectacular variety of wildlife. Locals and environmentalist say it is starting to look like Saudi Arabia because of the natural gas drilling sites. So the question is to drill or not to drill this is what we will discuss in this essay. Scientist and other experts claim that there’s large pockets of natural gas in this geological region and is attracting many natural gas companies to drill and extract this natural gas. Nightline reported an article stating “Experts have estimated that there’s roughly 20 trillion cubic feet of gas here. That would supply the entire nation’s natural gas needs for about a year. The same geological formation that creates a natural corridor for wildlife also holds rich deposits of natural gas, miles beneath the surface. This country’s increasing demand for natural gas coupled with new technology is turning this area into a bonanza for the energy industry.” (University of Phoenix, 2004, para.1). ...
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