In this paper, I will evaluate and summarize the different major moral theories including my own approach to my moral beliefs. The words moral and ethics are sometimes substituted for each other, and both do relate to good or bad, right or wrong. However, ethics refers to a set of rules that is provided to an individual by an outside source, and further, ethics is the philosophical study of morality. Whereas, morals are the beliefs that an individual holds regarding good or bad, right or wrong. (Richardson, 2013). Furthermore, moral theories are used to explain why a certain action is right or wrong and why an individual acts in certain ways. Moral theories also answer how an individual determines what right and wrong conduct is. There …show more content…
The virtue ethics theory focuses on what actions or choices an individual should choose based on their own personal inward character. Therefore, if an individual’s character is good then his or her actions or choices should also be good. The virtue ethics theory places responsibility on the individual for their actions or choices when confronted with a moral dilemma. Whereas, “a utilitarian or a Kantian theorist asks, what should I do?, a virtue ethicist asks, in effect, what should I be?” (Vaughn, 2010, pg. 134). Additionally, this theory best supports or describes my own approach to moral beliefs because I believe it to be the closest one to my Christian …show more content…
In my Christian belief, I use my character to determine my moral choices by applying God’s Word in my life, and allowing the Holy Spirit to help guide me through everyday circumstances. Furthermore, the virtue ethic theory is closest to my own approach to moral beliefs because I also believe as the virtue ethicist believes that every day I “strive to be a particular kind of person-a virtuous person whose actions stem naturally from virtuous character.” (Vaughn, 2010, pg. 134). On the other hand, the theory that least supports or describes my own approach to moral beliefs would be the act-utilitarianism theory. This theory is one where the right moral action is based on the one that brings about the most favorable results for everyone. In addition, with this theory rules are irrelevant and moral choices are not made by an individual adhering to any set guidelines or morals. For example, one day it may be a good action or choice to tell a lie in a certain situation, but the next it may be a wrong action or choice to tell a lie depending on the circumstances. (Vaughn, 2010, pg.
“We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat.” ― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America. In this quote steinbeck poses the question of the value of virtue and its place in the world often as humans we are attracted to the opposite and it seems to workout fine sometimes.
Aristotle describes virtue theory as an ethical theory that emphasizes an individual 's character rather than following a set of rules. Breaking it down even further to specify knowing right from wrong, being able to read an atmosphere by knowing what is right, and it is the midpoint between two extremes. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. display to be a virtue ethicists through his letter oppose to being a deontologist or utilitarian. Laws define a set of rules that the people should follow; however, there are unjust laws that are meant to be challenged.
1. Utilitarianism Philosopher View (Jeremy Bentham & John Mill) Utilitarianism theory was founded by Jeremy Bentham and then got expanded by John Mill who came up with the 2 types or forms of Utilitarianism which are Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism says an action is right if it tends to promote happiness, and wrong if it tends to produce the reverse of happiness and doesn’t just involve the happiness of the performer of the action but also that of everyone affected by it.
Followers of virtue ethics believe the intention of an action matters. Virtue ethicists pose the question: what kind of person should I be? They try to be just, generous, temperate, honest, and courageous. The man, on the other hand, tends towards ethical egoism, which means he prizes his and the boy’s safety over anyone else’s benefit. Since the boy is never fully responsible for his and his father’s survival he prioritizes his ideas of goodness over day to day practicality.
In every day life, we face many situations that require a moral decision. We have to decide what is right and what is wrong? Not always is this an easy task thus, it seems important to analyze how we make our moral decisions. I will start with an analysis of how we make decisions in general
Consequential Ethical theory It is a part of normative ethical theories and it means that the consequence of ones behavior is an ultimate mean for anyone to judge the rightness or wrongness of that behavior. So, from the perspective of a consequentialist an ethically right act is the one that will inherit good outcome or consequence. It usually explains the saying “the end justifies the means” which means that in order to achieve a goal, take any route which leads to achieving it.
The last theory is Aristotle’s virtue ethics which states that we should move from the concern towards good action and to focus on the concern with good character. This paper argues that Aristotle’s virtue ethics is better than the other ethical theories. The divine command theory says that what is morally right and what is morally wrong is determined by God and God alone. People who follow the divine command theory believe that God is the creator of all things, therefore, he must also be the creator of morally right and wrong acts.
These moral theories help me figure out what is right versus wrong and who I am and what I believe today in this society. Knowing between right and wrong is a moral foundation for me to practice good ethics. The life I lead reflects the strength of my character. Moral theories that I personally favor are social contract theory, feminist ethics, and virtue ethics. Social contract theory and the political world are one that impacts nearly every aspect of my day to day life.
The relativist’s objection Aristotle’s writings are the best prototype of virtue ethics. Contemporary virtue theories do not grasp nor represents the Aristotelian theory, because they think that it is impossible to escape the charge of relativism in virtue ethics. According to the relativist approach, ethical goodness is relative to each society depending on its traditions and practices. It is thought that virtue can only be outlined locally with reference to a single locale. Relativists reject the idea that there is a general rule, based on specific virtuous actions, that leads to the good life i.e. they reject that there is a single virtue (or norm of flourishing life) that is able to flourish the life of all human beings.
The idea of virtue ethics was first introduced to the world by Aristotle over 2,300 years ago in 325 BC (Rachels 173). Virtue ethics operate on the belief that people develop good character by looking at the virtues they admire in other people and emulating them. In order to do this, a person must ask themselves what kind of person they want to be and focus on choosing characteristics not specific people to emulate. Unfortunately, virtue ethics were quickly overshadowed by other perspectives on ethical theory as Christianity gained popularity and values changed. As time went on people stopped asking themselves, “What traits make a good person?”
Moral theories are theories that help us distinguish between a right or a wrong action. Adequate moral theories help us understand that what we should or shouldn’t do in certain situations. Two of the most famous moral theories are Utilitarianism and Kantianism. According to Utilitarianism, an action is right if only if it out of all the other action gives out the maximum utility. In oppose to that, Kantianism says that an action is right if and only if, in performing that action, the person does not treat anyone as a mean and treats everyone as an end in itself.
Virtue ethics is an expansive theory inspired by the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle. In contrast to deontology and consequentialism, virtue ethics emphasizes the moral character (ideal traits) of a person. Aristotle believed that nature produced humans with the desire to be virtuous, just how seeds are built with the drive to become trees. This concept can be related to the term eudaimonia, which translates to the flourishing of a human being; a happy and well-lived life.
These theories challenge what an individual think is right and wrong. Some of ethical theories are given in detail below. • Utilitarianism: Utilitarian ethical theories are based on person’s ability to foretell the reaction of a particular action. It is part of a normative ethics that is the study of ethical actions or ethics
Virtue theory is more comprehensive and practical than traditional approaches to business ethics because it is about the type of person. Virtue theory is concerned with the cultivation of character and it provides happy life. Moral growth comes from choice rather than rules. Virtue ethics emphasizes the process of individual moral character development. Virtue theory helps to develop principles, tactics and procedures of business.
Virtue ethics started drawing attention since the modern ethics exposed its limitation and reconsideration about the priority was needed. Contemporary ethics focus on “What we should do”, instead of “What kind of person we should do”. In consequence, the moral codes in modern era solely emphasizes moral duty and rules, while neglecting personality and character of individuals. Virtue ethics support the traditional criterion that consider moral virtue and personality of individuals as important. The virtue of good engineer includes creativity, good understanding of culture, morality, and capability of communication.