Ethics Essay
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- Date Submitted: 09/15/2014 10:43 AM
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Ethics Essay
The word “ethics” comes from the Greek word ethos, which refers to “the guiding beliefs, Standards, or ideals” that define a group or set it apart (Velasquez, 2012). It is a study of what is morally right and wrong, good and bad behaviour. It helps a person makes a right and wrong decision with moral duty and obligation to itself and to society. However, one’s ethical point of view and understanding can be different from person to another. In order to understand the different theories ethically and morally, this paper will discuss the similarities and the differences between virtue theory, utilitarian theory and deontological theory.
“Virtue ethics are character that makes up a moral life” (Velasquez, 2012). Virtual theory is categorized as the character of a person based on influences such as beliefs, groups or society and traditions that are valued by a society. It is an ethical act of righteousness, honest and virtuous that is valued by a society. For example, I dropped my iPhone at my kid’s school and luckily someone picked it up and turned it in at the school’s office. The person duty to perform the act of honesty and virtuous is an individual’s character.
While virtue examines human morality; utilitarian is the belief that an action is morally right if the outcome and the result of action produces the greatest possible utility for the greatest possible number of people (Velasquez, 2012). Utilitarian theory emphasizes the greater good and happiness for all is the right thing to do along with minimizing distress. As a result, utilitarianism is contingent on consequentiality. An example would be that I am going to school despite of working full time and have three children to take care of. I feel like I am sacrificing myself to get my degree to find a better job to support my family comfortably and be able to pay for their college in the near future.
Meanwhile, deontological theory is one’s duty to do the right thing based on a...
The word “ethics” comes from the Greek word ethos, which refers to “the guiding beliefs, Standards, or ideals” that define a group or set it apart (Velasquez, 2012). It is a study of what is morally right and wrong, good and bad behaviour. It helps a person makes a right and wrong decision with moral duty and obligation to itself and to society. However, one’s ethical point of view and understanding can be different from person to another. In order to understand the different theories ethically and morally, this paper will discuss the similarities and the differences between virtue theory, utilitarian theory and deontological theory.
“Virtue ethics are character that makes up a moral life” (Velasquez, 2012). Virtual theory is categorized as the character of a person based on influences such as beliefs, groups or society and traditions that are valued by a society. It is an ethical act of righteousness, honest and virtuous that is valued by a society. For example, I dropped my iPhone at my kid’s school and luckily someone picked it up and turned it in at the school’s office. The person duty to perform the act of honesty and virtuous is an individual’s character.
While virtue examines human morality; utilitarian is the belief that an action is morally right if the outcome and the result of action produces the greatest possible utility for the greatest possible number of people (Velasquez, 2012). Utilitarian theory emphasizes the greater good and happiness for all is the right thing to do along with minimizing distress. As a result, utilitarianism is contingent on consequentiality. An example would be that I am going to school despite of working full time and have three children to take care of. I feel like I am sacrificing myself to get my degree to find a better job to support my family comfortably and be able to pay for their college in the near future.
Meanwhile, deontological theory is one’s duty to do the right thing based on a...