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Ethics Essay
Nancy Castro

Ethics
316
Ruth Embleton
March 7, 2012

Ethics Essay
Comparing and contrasting ethical theories helps one to understand ones guidance system, which helps or aides one through their decision-making process. “Each theory emphasizes different points such as predicting the outcome and following one's duties to others in order to reach an ethically correct decision.” (2011) each theory has a familiar thread with a goal. In this paper each of the following three ethical theories utilitarianism, Virtue, and Deontological will be described relating to ethics and morality. Concluding with an example with which the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to utilitarianism.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism ethics emphasize that action should be morally beneficial to a group. This course of ethics is often known as “the greatest good for the greatest number” or simply put, “the greater good” (Boylan, 2009). In other words, the consequence of any ethical action should be beneficial by mass appeal. This is a common underlying theme for ethics in capitalist economies and business as well as in democratic governments (Boylan, 2009).
Virtue Theory The virtue theory, also known as virtue ethics, focuses more so on the character of a person rather than the rules and consequences of specific acts. What this essentially means is that the primary focus is whether or not the person acting ethically is a person who upholds high morals and virtues, in turn expressing “good character” (Garrett, 2005). Rules, intent, consequences, and outcome are not necessarily irrelevant; however, the emphasis of virtue theory is primarily on a person’s character, his/her virtues, and their expression of good intentions (Garrett, 2005).
Deontology
Unlike virtue theory, deontology has a heavy emphasis on duty in action,

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