Examine how both deontological and teleological ethical systems can be used to help people make moral decisions. Deontological and teleological ethical systems attempt to provide those who follow them with contrasting moral guides, recommending wrong and right concepts of behaviour. Deontological ethics derives from the Greek word, "Deon" which translates to "duty", for all deontologists, morality is a matter of duty. This ethical theory judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule, so essentially, deontology is concerned with the intent behind an action as well as the nature of the action itself. Therefore, deontologists follow the belief that certain actions are inherently good if they follow the stated rules even if the action has bad consequences, it can still be defined as moral.
Perhaps more so than Emotivists, Prescriptivists see ethical language as fairly meaningful. They believe that the terms used are able to create absolute rules that everyone ought to follow. It would seem that ethical language is seen by many as very meaningful, although for varying reasons. However agent centred theories such as Virtue Ethics would argue that our main focus of morality should be on becoming as virtuous as possible, rather than deciding what is meant by ethical language. Therefore it would seem that perhaps morality should be more focussed on individuals’ actions rather then defining what is meant by ‘good’ and
Utilitarianism focuses on the belief that actions can be morally correct if the masses get more of the benefit than any one person. This differs from virtue theory greatly. While virtue theory looks at the history of one individual and those virtues effecting one individuals character, utilitarianism is a focus on the group. It is ones action that gives the group greater good, not an individual. Deontology is the theory that an individual does something because the individual believes it is the right thing to do.
Consequential is a type of ethical theory; it’s built upon moral views of acts, rules, etc. purely due to the consideration of their consequences, where the norm of consideration is worked as the norm of non-moral goodness. Happiness is a part of acquiring what could be an unsatisfying truth that we do not have a solid handle of our control or impact in our world; giving into the greatest good, as well as, ignoring what can bring negativity. It is important to make the best out of life as possible that represent positive and negative, and take the rest as life wants to give it. The theory of “good” and bad is really not a matter of concern; we have our own particular views, so what can be bad may actually be good.
A person inherently has some sort of primitive worldview and code of personal ethics. Understanding, and in some cases coming to grips with, your worldview is important to understanding who you are and what you stand for in life. By knowing what makes you tick and why you act in certain ways is the first step on the journey to personal enlightenment and to creating a more secure sense of self and personal wellbeing. The following pages will establish the basis for my ethical worldview and discuss the development of my own ethical theory. Overview of Relevant Ethical Theories Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics was founded as it is known today by Plato and Aristotle, though
Deontologist feel that actions, rather than consequences, should take precedence when making a decision. The theory of deontology states we are morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of the outcomes. Immanuel Kant accounts for two sets of moral beliefs upon which deontology is set. The two beliefs are that a person who does something because it is the morally right thing to do is especially commendable, more than a person who does something for some sort of gain and a moral person is willing to live by the same rules he or she believes all others ought to follow (Kant, I. 2008).
Mill’s Theory of Utility Modern ethical theory is rooted in the ethical value of an individual action rather than the excellence of the individuals’ manners of living like in ancient Greek ethics. In modern theory, like Mill and Kant, we look at what is a good or right action compared to a bad or wrong one. There are two kinds of modern theory one of which is Mills’ theory of utility or utilitarianism. Mill’s theory involves the idea of “consequentialism” meaning that the ethical value of an action depends on the consequences of that action and what these effects have on happiness. Mill explains that utility can be understood in terms of pleasure and the absence of pain and not just by the usefulness of something (Module 7.1).
Ethics also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of questions of right and wrong and how we ought to live. Ethics involves making moral judgments about what is right or wrong, good or bad. Right and wrong are qualities or moral judgments we assign to actions and conduct. (Ethics and criminal justice). When it comes to the criminal justice field, ethics signify ‘a value system’ or ‘a set of moral principles’ (Braswell, McCarthy, & McCarthy, 2008).
Consequentialism assumes that if human being would weigh the outcome of their taboos and beliefs, then happiness can be achieved and pain reduced. But utilitarianism assumes that people can only value a virtue if it is deemed beneficial in accomplishing human happiness. For example utilitarians believe that truth will make a better society while consequentialists believe that truth will make a better society only if the outcome causes no harm. Basically utilitarianism assumes that the wrongness or rightness of an act depends on the moral good produced as a result of doing that act. This implies that an act is right if it minimizes violation of a certain moral right thus no one should violate moral rights for happiness sake and be justified.
They all have founders, and they all try to set a standard of what is most important, and they try to keep that in perspective as the most important value. Virtue Theory is a term for theories that puts emphasis in a man’s virtuous character in moral philosophy. This is different from doing good acts to bring about good consequences. Virtue ethics is the normative theory that the promotion f one’s own good is in accordance with morality. The problem with this definition or the definition of virtue is it is not a set definition until man sets what is right and wrong or what is ethical.