Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories, and religious ethics a utilitarian argument, in the strict sense, is one what alleges that we ought to do something because it will produce more total happiness than doing anything else would. It also formulates a rule by which ethical actions can be determined and proposes that ethical actions should be universalisable, in a similar way to kants ethics. Ethics or morality and well use these terms interchangeably is the broader arena in which any special set of. Universal truths, gods will, the meaning of ethical terms and how reason plays a role in ethical decisions are all a part of metaethics. Ive had the ku computer folks set up an email distribution list for the course, and its address is the following. Ethical theory ethics 2 a weak criticism of consequentialism.
The categorical imperative is the way in which you determine what your duties are, what you should and should not do. Principles of obligation, such as egoism, utilitarianism, and deontology, offer general. Theories of ethics center for future consciousness. The ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of morality and the welldefined standards of right and wrong that prescribe the human character and conduct in terms of obligations, rights, rules, benefit to society, fairness, etc. Ethics, ethical theories, islam, alquran, alsunnah the word ethics orig inates from the greek word ethos, which m eans character, spirit and attitude of a group of. It is ethical theory proposed by jeremy bentham and james mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness good for the greatest number of people. The aim of ethical theories is, among other things, to present and defend systematic answers to the two following questions. Pdf ethics and ethical theories from an islamic perspective. Throughout the centuries people were trying to choose between profit and moral. He even went so far as to suggest that this is the ultimate law of morality.
Pages in this category should be moved to subcategories where applicable. The idea of the application of an ethical theory to a concrete issue should be understood as having a threesided relationship. Form and content in ethical theory wilfrid sellars i i. However, when ethical theories are combined, they can help us to arrive at the most ethically correct answer possible for each scenario. Discusses each theorys view of moral significance and moral equality. Ethical relativism holds that there is no correct moral code at all times and peoples, that each group has its own morality relative to its wants and values, and that at all moral ideas are relative to particular culture.
For individuals, the ethical theory they employ for decision making guidance emphasizes aspects of an ethical dilemma important to them and leads them to the most ethically correct resolution according to the guidelines within the ethical theory itself. The theoretical study of ethics is not normally something that many people. Deontological ethics stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. In an effort to establish some ethical guidelines for business, three normative ethical theories have evolved in western capitalist societies. On this type of ethical theory an action motivated by the right sorts of reasons will be right no matter whether its consequences are. A weakness associated with this theory is the lack of concern for the consequences of actions. Eight theories of ethics by gordon graham, 2004 online.
In other words, deontology falls within the domain of moral theories that. Because deontological theories are best understood in contrast to. This category may require frequent maintenance to avoid becoming too large. Discuss systems of moral reasoning as they have been used throughout history. Normative ethics the systematicphilosophical justification of moral intuitions teleological or, consequentialism rightness is determined by the consequences of an action hedonism egoism utilitarianism deontological rightness is an intrinsic feature of some actions natural law. Should i help my colleague out with getting the report in on time, even though id rather leave. Human beings are, however, another story entirely, according to kant, humans may never be used anything else. Codes of ethics are very important in this context but are in the final analysis insufficient devices, because their necessarily generalised form has to be translated into the specific situation and thus requires. It welcomes high quality submissions regardless of the tradition or school of thought from which they derive. On ethical theory in auditing on ethical theory in auditing lutz preuss 19981201 00. The development of cybernetics and digital computers prompted the need for a greater exploration of computer ethics. The choice between consequentialist and kantian ethics is a dif. Theory and practice in interprofessional ethics 595 responsibility for developing standards of pr ofessional practice that form the basis for relationships with the oth er membe rs of the team.
Aggregative consequentialist theories are threatened by infinitarian paralysis. Four broad categories of ethical theory include deontology, utilitarianism, rights, and virtues. Forum about ethics and responsibility discussions about ethics and responsibility. Applies the ethical procedure to two relevant cases, arriving at the correct, moral solution for that particular theory. This section of the paper should be approximately to 1200 words 500 to 600 words for each theory application.
To study the users ethics in using service through the online social network sites. Next is the more practical theory of normative ethics. Ethical theories direct selling education foundation. Wikimedia commons has media related to ethical theories. On ethical theory in auditing, managerial auditing journal. Since, according to the utilitarians, the business of morality is the maximi zation of the good, the other animals plainly fall within its. Perceptual takings or judgments are the thoughts which typically arise from the impact of the world on our mind through our sensory capacities.
Tests of an ethical theory tested against conventional morality if it seriously contradicts it in many places, it is questionably correct corrects conventional morality makes it consistent and coherent supplements conventional morality where intuition fails, e. Ethics four branches 3 metaethics the study of ethical terms, statements and judgements. Conversely, there are usually benefits accrued by proper uses of information technology i. Ethical theory about what is right and good in human conduct lies behind the issues practitioners face and the codes they turn to for guidance. The normative background of empiricalethical research. One area that should be considered when planning an ethics courses is a philosophical basis for decisions and ethical theories. If the action results in the greatest good for the greatest number of people consequential, then the utilitarian would argue that it is the right action to take. Use two ethical theories to discuss how problems in ethics, production, and marketing should be addressed on a systemic level to ensure appropriate corporate oversightby consumers, manufacturers, the government, and the free market. In fact, it seems to outgrow a transcendental philosophy, since it. The good will intentions count and the only intention that counts is the good will.
Avoidance of punishment and deference to power are typical of this stage. Introduction to ethical theories essay 1155 words bartleby. Ethics is the study of conduct in regard to its moral rightness or wrongness. Evaluate a variety of ethical theories and approaches to use in personal and. For example, a person who lies and cheats to get ahead in life probably makes decisions based on advancing his or her own. It addresses the meaning of ethical terms such as right, duty, obligation, justification, morality, responsibility. Ethical theory burkhardt chapter 2 ethical theory morality personal morality. Every day, you probably make dozens or even hundreds of decisions about what could be considered ethical issues.
Ethical theories used to justify angloamericans obligation to the ethical issue in chilean mines 2. Some theoretical issues valon lluka, mba banka ekonomike, prishtina abstract ethics can be defined as a process of evaluating actions according to moral principal of values. Introduction to ethical studies an open source reader lee archie john g. Thus i n kants view, mere animals have no importance at all. Theories of ethics thomas lombardo within human history and continuing into present times, we. In virtue ethical theory, an individual is judged by his character rather than by his actions that may deviate from his normal behavior fraedrich, ferrel and ferrel, 2009. As any other theory it provides explanation and understanding. There have been many different theories posited in ethics, for example, virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialism, egalitarianism, libertarianism, social contract theory, stakeholder theory, human rights theory, and postmodernism.
Greatest happiness principle maximizing positive outcomes for the largest number of. Many ethical theories play into elections, on both the sides of the voters as well as the candidates. George lakoff and mark johnson on morality, metaphor, and imagination ii. Two kinds of duty ethics 2 consequentialist resultsbased. Develops an ethical procedure based on a theorys moral rules and principles. It should directly contain very few, if any, pages and should mainly contain subcategories.
Ethical theories two types of ethical theories i teleological theories value based theories an act is morally right if it promotes the good or what has value. Social darwinism fear of extinction and the urgency of financial survival dictate ethical conduct. Utilitarianism john stuart mill 18061873, viewed as one of the chief architects of utilitarianism, argued that the correctness of actions should be judged by their consequences i. Act utilitarianism au is the moral theory that holds that the morally right action, the act. Like kantian ethics, discourse ethics is a cognitive ethical theory, in that it supposes that truth and falsity can be attributed to ethical propositions. The focal point of practical reasoning is action, as the focal point of empirical reasoning is observation. They include the stockholder theory, the stakeholder theory and the socialcontract theory.
Print out the chart of basic approaches to ethical theory from my website which. Utilitarianism, kantian ethics, natural rights theories. Four of these goals include beneficence, least harm, respect for autonomy, and justice. Pdf theory and practice in interprofessional ethics. You should not regard this as a substitute for buying the book, but it may be a useful resource sometime when you want to check something in. As an editorial priority, however, presentations should be accessible to the philosophical community at large. Perhaps, some of them obtain both, but every time it could have roused ethical. Ethical theories managerial decisionmaking tools and ethical theories a critical analysis of kants ethical theory.
Ethical relativism is a theory of ethics that allows the moral decision making process to be more flexible by giving a person the option to take into consideration more than just a set list of concrete rules. In any case, there is no requirement that ones ethical theory be based on a single principle. Project part 1 an introduction to ethical theories itt technical institute, hanover md mathew leetch hu4640 ethics july 22, 2015 an introduction to ethical theories abstract this paper is going to discuss ethics and ethical theories. The ethical theory described is an approach or belief based off ones own morals or values. The way someone lives his or her life can explain any ethical decision according to this theory. The ethical theory of virtue states that we can judge a persons decisions based on his or her character and morality. Should i do the washingup even though i am tired so my partner doesnt have to. Mill what makes something good or bad, right or wrong, is that it produces the greatest amount of pleasure or lack of pain for the greatest number of people basic principle.
The ethical and moral issues voters frequently take into account are as follows. Ethical theories ethical theory is means by which we justify a particular ethical decision. Such theories arise in religion, spiritual traditions, philosophy, socialpoliticalhistorical systems, literature and the humanities, social. An overview of traditional ethical theories leadership. The field of organization theory does not engage in ethical theories and hardly acknowledges that ethical leaders can have a significant role. This theory addresses the origin and definition of peoples ethical principles. However, we should be mindful that all theories have flaws or failings. Ethical theory university of maryland, college park. Here are five questions we might want an ethical theory to answer for us.
Analysis of the language, concepts and methods of resoning in ethics. One ethical theory might be more adequate than others, depending on the exact aims of the empiricalethical research project. In this section of the paper, you should explain which ethical theory you think presents the most persuasive moral argument on this question and why. An overview of ethical theory mesa community college.
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