Running head: ETHICS ESSAY 1

Individual: Ethics Essay

Ethics Essay

Ethical theory serves as the foundation for ethical solutions to the difficult situations

people encounter in life (Panza and Potthast, 2010). Ethical theory deals with how one should

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behave in relation to someone else. This paper will compare the similarities and difference

between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics; ethics and morality of each theory

and conclude with my personal experience explaining the relationship between virtue, values,

and moral concepts as it relates to one of the three theories.

Virtue Theory

Virtue ethics also known as character ethics shows that character matter above

everything else. This theory places emphasis on the role of character and virtue in moral

philosophy rather than doing one’s duty or acting in order to bring about good consequences.

This approach also focuses more on the integrity of the person than the decision or behavior

itself (Trevino & Nelson, 2011).

No matter the situation a virtuous person is someone whose kind; not because they are

out to gain favors or do their duty but because this is their character. Unlike deontological

theories, theories of virtue ethics do not aim primarily to identify universal principles that can be

applied in any moral situations (Athanassoulis, 2010).

Morality deals with one’s actions to the extent that other people are affected. It requires

one to consider others for who they are and not because they may benefit them. Virtue ethics

according to morality is self-centered because it main focus is with its own character and well-

being. Instead of being too self-centered, virtue ethics unifies what is required by morality and

what is required by self-interest.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a theory that suggests that an action is morally right when that action

produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative or in other words “the greatest

good for the greatest number” (Boylan, 2009). This is a form of consequentialism, meaning that

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moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome. The Utilitarianism view is “the end

justifies the means” and that outcomes as a result of an action has a greater value compared to

the later. Ethically one should take advantage of happiness for the good of the society. This

approach can also be selfish in nature as it gears on judgments more ideal to the philosopher.

Deontological

This approach focuses on right or wrong of actions as opposed to the right or wrong of

the consequences of those actions. The morality of deontology is based on certain duties or

obligations. The deontological view holds that some actions cannot be justified by their

consequences. In short, for the deontologist, the ends do not justify the means (seven pillars

institute, nd).

Deontology and Utilitarianism are both moral theories, which refer to rules, moral laws,

and intuition. Human beings have a moral obligation to follow certain principles and allow

people to act above and beyond the base prerequisite of the rules. However, how to rank duties

are not always clarified and this can cause disastrous problems.

Similarities

Each one of these ethical theories shares the consequence of action. It may not be the

main focus of the action, but the outcome of the action’s consequences is primary as a result.

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Reference

Athanassoulis, Nafsika. (2010). Virtue Ethics. Retrieved 8 January 13 from

http://www.iep.utm.edu/virtue/.

Boylan, M. (2009). Basic ethics: Basic ethics in action (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Pearson.

Moral Theories. (nd). Retrieved 9 January 2013 from http://sevenpillarsinstitute.org/morality-

101/moral-traditions.

Panza, Christopher & Potthast, Adam. (2010). Ethics for Dummies. Retrieved 8 January 13 from

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/a-snapshot-of-key-ethical-theories.html.

Trevino, L.K. & Nelson, K.A. (2011). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it

right (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.