University of Phoenix Material
Student Name: _Laura Harper
Comparison of Ethical Theories
Ethical
Theory
Utilitarianism Ethics
Utilitarianism Ethics is
an ethical theory that
holds that an action is
right if it produces, or if
it tends to produce, the
greatest amount of good
for the greatest number
of people affected by the
action. Otherwise the
action is wrong.
Also, according to
Definition
Utilitarianism, we
should evaluate an
action by looking at the
consequences, weighing
the good effect against
the bad effects on all the
people affected by it. If
the bad outweighs the
good, it tends to be
good.
De George R.T (2006).
Ethical The Ethical thinker
thinker associated with the
associated theory is that the origins
with theory of utilitarianism are
often traced as far back
as the Greek philosopher
Epicurus, but, as the
specific school of
thought, it is generally
credited to Jeremy
Bentham. Bentham
found pain and pleasure
to be the only intrinsic
values in the world:
"nature has placed
Facilitator: - Dominique Vigliarolo
Deontological Ethics
Deontological Ethics is the
approach in ethics which
denies the utilitarian claim
that the morality of an action
depends on it consequences.
The deontologist maintains
that actions are morally right
or wrong independent of
their consequences. Moral
rightness and wrongness are
basic and ultimate moral
terms. They do not depend
on good and the production
of, or the failure to produce,
well. One’s duty is to do
what morally right and avoid
what is morally wrong,
regardless of the
consequences of doing so.
De George R.T (2006).
The Ethical Thinker of the
Deontological Theories is
definite Immanuel Kant
If any philosopher is
regarded as central to
deontological moral theories,
it is surely Immanuel Kant.
Indeed, each of the branches
of deontological ethics the
agent-centered, the patient
centered, and the
contracturalist can lay claim
to being Kantian
(Yahoo answers).
Virtue Ethics
Virtue-based ethical
theory place less emphasis
on which rules people
should follow and instead
focus on helping people
develop good character
traits, such as kindness and
generosity. These character
traits will, in turn, allow a
person to make the correct
decisions later on in life.
Virtue theorists also
emphasize the need for
people to learn how to
break bad habits of
character, like greed or
anger. These are called
vices and stand in the way
of becoming a good person.
Virtue ethics started from
Plato and Aristotle. There
are at least three central
concepts Plato suggested
four virtues: wisdom,
courage, temperance, and
justice. Aristotle, too,
explained moral virtues in
terms of the rational ability
of the soul to control its
appetitive portion.
 mankind under the
governance of two
sovereign masters, pain
and pleasure." From this,
he derived the rule of
utility: the good is
whatever brings the
greatest happiness to the
greatest number of
people. (Wikipedia)
Decision- Utilitarian’s Ethics
making Theory Decision
process making process
Utilitarian’s also differ
in their views about the
kind of question we
ought to ask ourselves
when making an ethical
decision. Some
utilitarian’s maintain that
in making an ethical
decision, we must ask
ourselves: "What effect
wills my doing this act
in this situation has on
the general balance of
good over evil?" If lying
would produce the best
consequences in a
particular situation, we
ought to lie. Others,
known as rule
utilitarian’s, claim that
we must choose that act
that conforms to the
general rule that would
have the best
consequences. In other
words, we must ask
ourselves: "What effect
would everyone's doing
this kind of action have
on the general balance of
good over evil?" So, for
example, the rule "to
Deontology Ethics theory
Decision – making process
One of the most important
implications of deontology is
that praiseworthy goals can
never justify immoral
actions, in contrast to
doctrines that claim the ends
justify the means.
Deontology is directly in
opposition to
consequentialism, an ethical
theory in which the ends can
justify the means because
decisions are judged
primarily in terms of their
consequences...
(allexperts).
Virtue Ethics theory
Decision – making
Process.
The emphasis in virtue
ethics today centers on the
character virtues such as
justice, love, care,
compassion, kindness,
courage, truthfulness.
Temperance. Virtue ethics
of practical wisdom or
prudence becomes truly
virtuous or lives a good life
without a personal history
of making good decisions,
and the prudence is the
virtue of decision making
this emphasis on decision
making and it virtue,
practical wisdom or
prudence, means that
ancient virtue ethics is
strongly intellectual and
personal. Virtue ethics is
about making intellectual
decisions. Making a
decision means that we are
going to do or not do
something and that we will
have to live with the
consequences. The
reasoning is practical
reasoning.
Devettere R.J.
 always tell the truth" in
general promotes the
good of everyone and
therefore should always
be followed, even if in a
certain situation lying
would produce the best
consequences. Despite
such differences among
utilitarian’s, however,
most hold to the general
principle that morality
must depend on
balancing the beneficial
and harmful
consequences of our
conduct. (Wikipedia)
Workplace Utilitarian’s Deontology Workplace Virtue Workplace ethics
example Workplace ethics ethics example: In my example is an example in
example: The assistant workplace the company felt my former workplace
manager of a handy it was mandatory to have where several employees
Burger Thelma have drug testing every six month. was told by management
been nice to me my first This was brought on by an that the upper management
day on the job. She employee who was caught wanted them to go to
showed me what to do smoking marijuana at lunch another floor to work due
the first few times. time in the back of the to a shortest there they
Thelma is a 23 yr old building. Deontologist refuse to go. “Virtue or any
with two pre-school would support this argument Ethics” is not one
children and is a high because this school of ethics employee in one
school graduate. Thelma is based on the notion that department publishing a
is hoping some day to people have the duty to code of ethics. It is a
own her own store. One always obey moral rules, responsibility given to
day when the manager regardless of any positive every employee in the
had to leave early, I saw outcomes that can come company, but it must be led
Thelma loading several from breaking them. The by top leadership. An
food items, such as basis of deontology is to ethical culture is one where
frozen hamburgers, assess a person’s character actions from the top down
chicken tenders, by how well he or she are met from the bottom up
tomatoes and lettuce into follows moral rules, even if in an all-encompassing
the trunk of her car. by doing so, tragic results process. Ethics then lives
When I confronted her, occurs. Deontology always and breathes and moves
Thelma told me she advocates the Right over the with the organization
needed the food to feed Good. (Workplace Ethics) itself,” (Workplace Ethics)
her two pre-school
children. This maybe
seen by some as petty
 theft, I saw this as a
“victimless crime” since
Thelma was a single
mother who had two
small children to feed
(Workplace Ethics)

References:

De George R.T (2006), Business Ethics, Deontologist Approach to Ethics: Retrieved on

November 29, 2009 from: University of Phoenix Course Materials site for this course on

http://ecampus.phoenix.edu

Deontological Ethics – Retrieved on November 27, 2009 from

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090315194909AAJCR7n

Deontological ethics: retrieved on November 30, 2009 from:

http://en.allexperts.com/e/d/de/deontological_ethics.html

Virtue Ethics: Morality and Character: What Are Virtue Ethics? Retrieved on November

27, 2009 from

http://atheism.about.com/od/ethicalsystems/a/virtueethics.htm

Central Concepts in Virtue Ethics- Retrieved on November 27, 2009 from

 http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Virtue_ethics

De George R.T (2006), Business Ethics, Utilitarianism Approach to Ethics: Retrieved

on November 29, 2009 from: University of Phoenix Course Materials site at:

http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.

Utilitarianism – Retrieved on November 29, 2009 from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism

Devettere R.T (2002) The Introduction to virtue ethics: insight of the ancient

Greeks

http://books.google.com/books?

q=How+are+virtue+ethics+used+in+decision+making

%3F&source=in&ei=c2cTS_e6M8e1lAfQxZixAg&sa=X&oi=book_group&ct=tit

le&cad=bottom-3results&resnum=11&ved=0CEEQsAMwCg

Content and Organization: 70 Percent Percent Earned: Comments:

All key elements of the assignment are covered in a 3.5 out 3.5 Possible
substantive way. Major points are stated clearly; are
supported by specific details, examples, or analysis;
and are organized logically.
• Ethical Theories Chart Completed Laura: Excellent
• Utilitarianism Ethics Content and
• Deontological Ethics Organization
• Virtue Ethics
A reference was utilized; please reference appropriate
with APA guidelines.
Total Points Earned out of 3.5 (70%) 3.5 Total Points
Readability and Style: 15 Percent Comments:
The chart is logical, the tone is appropriate and the .75 out .75 Possible
content addresses the requirements of the assignment. Laura: Perfect
Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently Readability and
strong, varied sentences. Style
Total Points Earned out of .75 (15%) .75 Total Points
Mechanics: 15 Percent Percent Earned Comments:
Citations of original works are present within the .38 out .38 Possible
chart and follows APA guidelines.
Laura: Great
Rules of grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation .37 out .37 Possible
Mechanics.
are followed.
Total Points Earned out of .75 (15%) .75 Total Points
Total 100 Percent 5 out of 5 Total Points 100%