Next on the basis of James Rachel’s argument against ethical egoism will try to answer the question posed. This essay will also discuss the common sense view is the most appropriate way to act in most of the cases. Ethical Egoism is a normative theory, a theory which states how one should behave. It states that promotion of one’s own good is in accordance with morality. In other way we can state that it is always moral to promote self-interest and it is not moral not to promote it.
In other words, the good effect must be produced directly by the action, not by the bad effect. Otherwise the agent would be using a bad means to a good end, which is never allowed. (4) The good effect must be sufficiently desirable to compensate for the allowing of the bad effect. In forming this decision many factors must be weighed and compared, with care and prudence proportionate to the importance of the case. Thus, an effect that benefits or harms society generally has more … DOUBLE EFFECT, PRINCIPLE OF The Principle of Double Effect is a rule of conduct frequently used in moral theology to determine when a person may lawfully perform an action from which two effects will follow, one bad and the other good.
The weakness of Virtue Ethics outweighs its strengths – Discuss. Virtue ethics is the ethics of us as persons and argues that morality is not about duties. There are a number of arguments for and against virtue ethics, and most for, argue for the formation and growth of us via phronesis or practical wisdom, which allows us to make the right decisions by using our conscience. Virtue ethics is mainly supported by Aristotle. It is based on different virtues that a person should have, so that they can then reach Euadamonia.
We have the capabilities to eliminate the suffering, however, we choose not to, which is morally wrong. In keeping with this thought, Singer proposes two principles; the strong Singer principle and the weak Singer principle. His strong principle states, “If it is in our power to prevent something very bad from happening without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance , we ought, we ought, morally, to do it.” In comparison, his weak principle states, “If it is in our power to prevent something very bad from happening , without sacrificing anything morally significant , we ought, morally, to do it.
Confucius preached to act with virtue, while Lao Tzu wanted people to have virtue without necessarily presenting it. He believed it should be a state of mind and a natural occurrence in the mind. Because of these two clashing view points, it is apparent that Lao Tzu would respond negatively towards
That goal is to do what is morally right, if it be through pleasure to avoid pain. This defines utilitarianism. Specific kinds of rules that tells a person what is right and why it is right defines deontology. A good person and doing the right thing, defines virtue. Even though each theory has its own unique way of portraying the act of doing ‘the right thing’, they seem to do just that.
It focus less in any particular instance and instead ruminate what a decision to tell a lie or not tell a lie said about one's character and moral behavior. As such, lying would be made in a case-by-case basis that would be based on factors such as personal benefit, group benefit, and intentions. Virtue-based ethical theory is not actually in conflict with deontology or teleology: those two viewpoints deal with which actions a person should take in any given scenario, whereas virtue theorists simply argue that developing morally desirable virtues for their own sake will help aid moral actions when such decisions need to be made. Aristotle categorized the virtues as moral and intellectual. Aristotle identified some intellectual virtues, the most important of which was wisdom; Sophia (theoretical wisdom) and phronesis (practical wisdom).
A virtuous person will be able to apply the virtues to practical ethics for example; they will know when to show courage etc. Aristotle expands this idea by claiming that virtue ethics concerns passions as well as actions – a virtuous person is fearful when appropriate and fearless when fitting. Therefore it could be argued that this
I may have an inclination for an object as the effect of my proposed action, but I cannot have respect for it, just for this reason, that it is an effect and not an energy of will. ” What you do out of duty does not include inclinations. Your good will cannot be judged by what you do, but why you did what you did. Inclinations are not respected, only acting out of duty can be respected. c) “Categorical Imperative: Those actions are right that conform to principles one can consistently will to be principles for everyone, and those actions wrong that are based on maxims that a rational creature could not will that all persons should follow” Kant says that an act is only right or moral if it is right for everyone.
The terms morality and ethics are not always interchangeable. Ethics is broader. Ethics deals with what is generally right and wrong and morality with what is right and wrong in relations between people. There is ethical behavior that does not bother with whether it is moral or immoral. Decisions involving other people are moral choices.