Ethical Theories Chart

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• Essay on Ethics Theory

  ...ETHICAL THEORIES 1. Utilitarianism The utilitarian ethical theory is founded on the ability to predict the consequences of an action. To a utilitarian, the choice that yields the greatest benefit to the most people is the choice that is ethically correct. One benefit of this ethical theory is that the utilitarian can compare similar predicted solutions and use a point system to determine which choice is more beneficial for more people. This point system provides a logical and rationale argument for each decision and allows a person to use it on a case-by-case context (1,2). There are two types of utilitarianism, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism adheres exactly to the definition of utilitarianism as described in the above section. In act utilitarianism, a person performs the acts that benefit the most people, regardless of personal feelings or the societal constraints such as laws. Rule utilitarianism, however, takes into account the law and is concerned with fairness. A rule utilitarian seeks to benefit the most people but through the fairest and most just means available. Therefore, added benefits of rule utilitarianism are that it values justice and includes beneficence at the same time (1,2). As with all ethical theories, however, both act and rule utilitarianism contain numerous flaws. Inherent in both are the flaws...

  1850  Words | 5  Pages

• Essay on Ethical Perspectives

  ...ABSTRACT: This paper will describe the four different types of ethical perspectives. We will start by describing my ethical perspective; which I found out to be "character" from my results on the Ethical Awareness Inventory Assessment. We will then evaluate the four types of ethical perspectives. Which include character/virtue, obligation/deontology, results/utilitarianism, and lastly, equity/relativism. Then we will conclude with a brief discussion on issues one is likely to encounter dealing with ethical dilemmas at Bank of America. The four ethical perspectives include character/virtue, obligation/deontology, results/utilitarianism, and equity/relativism; thus, making up CORE. These different ethical perspectives help to explain what drives an individual's decision when faced with an ethical dilemma. It is easy for someone to say what they will do when faced with an example of an ethical dilemma; however, it is another thing to make that same decision when faced with an actual real-life dilemma. By understanding what perspective compels someone to make an ethical decision, it will be easier to make that decision when one really has to. I have found that my ethical perspective is character/virtue. I was not surprised when I got my results. I have always done my best to live a life of integrity, which is very important...

  1218  Words | 4  Pages

• Ethical Dilemmas Associated with Corporate Bribery Essay

  ...Ethical Dilemmas Associated With Corporate Bribery ABSTRACT In today’s business world, bribery has become an everyday problem. Some people consider it to be a fair business tactic, others consider it to be an unethical act. This paper focuses on a particular bribery case and uses three different ethical theories, Utilitarianism, Kant, and virtue ethics to determine whether or not bribery is an ethical or unethical act. The Case A former partner of a prominent New Jersey law firm has been indicted on bribery charges in exchange for legislation and other favors intended to benefit the attorney’s land-developer clients. Eric Wisler is charged with making regular payments to Democratic, New Jersey Senator Wayne Bryant totaling $192,000 from 2004 to 2006. Currently, Wisler faces a total of 37 counts of mail and wire fraud, as well as one count of offering a bribe. The stakeholders in this case involve a large scope of individuals and businesses. Eric Wisler, Wisler’s land developer clients, and Senator Bryant were the biggest stakeholders in this case. However, there certainly were many more affected by these illegal acts. All other land-developers and stockholders were unknowing stakeholders. They were losing business as a direct result of not participating in bribery. Other stakeholders in this case were lawyers and clients in Wisler’s law firm. Some people may also argue that all lawyers in general were...

  1782  Words | 5  Pages

• Ethical theories Essay

  ...terms and types of ethical theory to determine which style, form, or behavior of ethics fits with our beliefs and culture. Some of these different types of theories include virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Although these all fall into the category of a theory of ethics and may seem to be similar, they are also very different. When looking at the virtue theory of ethics, we can see that the term character can be used in the place of virtue. According to Ben (2007), the virtue theory has roots that reach back to the time of Plato. Plato, and the virtue theory, suggest that all men and women would be happy if they would only grasp the eternal Form of the Good as his or her criterion. In contrast to the virtue theory, the utilitarianism theory suggests that a person present or have behavior of good for the entire team or group. One of the problems associated with this theory according to Boylan (2009) is that for any moral theory to work in a group, the group must first come to some terms of a general agreement. Knowing this and thinking on this statement, there are few times in my life where a team or group of people come together on any idea and agree on its entirety. The deontological theory suggest a contrasting idea to the other two theories, it...

  2716  Words | 10  Pages

• Ethical Dilemnas Essay

  ...Ethical Dilemmas Patent What the government did to Thomas Edison’s inventions is somewhat unethical. The ethical theories affected in this situation are: Egoism, Classical Utilitarianism, Altruism, and Deontological. Egosim because the good done by the government pleased the public. Classical Utilitarianism because it brought good to the public. Altruism because the good was for the greatest number of people. Deontological because the result was good. The only one who didn’t receive the most good is Thomas Edison because the government somehow claims his inventions as their own. Copyright Infringement Google should have not digitized the books without authorization because it is under the law of copyright infringement. The ethical theories affected in this situation are: Egoism, Classical Utilitarianism, Altruism, and Deontological. Egoism because the good, which is helping the people find the books they need through internet, pleased the people themselves. Classical because it brought good to the public, as said before, by helping them find the books through the internet. Altruism because the greatest good done was for the greatest number of people. Deontological because the result was good. The only ones who didn’t receive the good in this situation are the authors because Google didn’t asked permission from them. Trademark Infringement McDonald’s should have not been so serious about the...

  834  Words | 3  Pages

• Simalaries and Differences Between Ethical Theories Essay

  ...Similarities and Differences Between Ethical Theories Ethical theories are based on explained ethical principles. There are three major ethical theories: virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. in this paper the similarities and diffrences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. The meaning of virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics would need to be defined in order to be able to distiguish the similarities and diffrences. The virtue theory judges a person by character instead of the action deviate from thier normal behavior. It takes the individual motivation moral reputation are taken into account when rating unusual behavior. One weakness for the virtue theory is that it does not take into consideration a individual's change in moral character. The ability to predict the consequences of an action would be considered the utilitarian ethical theory. This theory can compare predicted solutions and use a point system to chose which choice is beneficial for more people. Rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism theories that contain a numerous flaws. The act utilitarianism is not always concerned with beneficence, justice, or autonomy for person if oppressing the person leads to a solution that would...

  371  Words | 1  Pages

• Ethical Issue Essay

  ...Research Draft of Final Paper on Ethics: Theory and Practice In this course, we look at classical ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. We also look at the different kinds of perspectives on ethical issues introduced by relativism, ethical egoism, and emotivism. For this paper, you will pick an ethical issue to discuss, but one that is not a specific topic addressed in our text (thus, gun control or product liability would not be possible choices). Some examples are given below, but it is recommended that you choose to write on a topic you have already encountered or you have thought about previously. (One way of thinking about this is to think of an ethical issue that either worries you or enrages you.) Identify, specifically, the ethical issue and the ethical problems it presents. Drawing on various sources, explain how one of the classical theories (utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics) would resolve the problem. Then, contrast this response with the perspective brought to the issue by relativism, emotivism, or ethical egoism. Finally, state which of these views is closer to your own, supporting your response with a clearly-presented and well-supported argument. The more specific you can be the better, and feel free to include examples that will strengthen your account....

  574  Words | 3  Pages

• Essay about Questions on Morality and Ethical Relativism

  ...[pic] RELI 2301 Introduction to Ethics DIVERSITY OF ETHICAL BELIEFS 1. ________ acknowledges that cultures can legitimately pass judgments on one another. A. Ethical pluralism C. Ethical absolutism B. Ethical relativism D. none of the above 2. ________ maintain that there is a single standard in terms of assessments can he made, and that standard is usually their own. A. Ethical absolutists C. Ethical relativists B. Ethical pluralists D. all of the above 3. ________ is a middle ground for dealing with moral conflicts. A. Ethical absolutism C. Ethical relativism B. Ethical pluralism D. none of the above 4. ________ encourages toleration when possible, recognizing that cultures may legitimately differ even on the most important of issues. A. none of the above C. Ethical absolutism B. Ethical relativism D. Ethical pluralism 5. ________ see each culture as an island unto itself, right in its own world, and they deny that there is any overarching standard in terms of which conflicting cultures can be judged. A. Ethical absolutists C. Ethical relativists B. Ethical pluralists D. all of the above 6. In a clash of cultures, ________ often see the other...

  674  Words | 3  Pages