What Is The Three Ethical Or Systems Of Morality?
Phil-101, Dr. Kegley
Reflection Paper #1, “The Three Ethical or Systems of Morality”
We have discussed three major ethical or systems of morality; Ethical Egoism, utilitarianism, and Kantianism. The three systems go to different degrees in respect to the two ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Although quite different from each other in many ways some of them do share some common principles between them. In this paper I will discuss the similarities and differences of the three systems. We also watched the video case study “The Old Person’s Friend” which I will relate one of the theories that I believe best deals with this case.
Ethical egoism is the system of morality that I have the most problem with or …show more content…
I believe that it has the potential to do great harm or be abused if it were the prevalent system in use. On the outward appearance Utilitarianism could appear benevolent it its pursuit of the most happiness for the most number of people. The problem for me is when it argues that the ends justifying the means and the possibility of the violation of the autonomy or rights of the minority or individual in its equation and calculation of a moral decision. In evidence to my aversion to Utilitarianism is from our class discussion and review of the rape case (Elements pages 111 & 112) in were it would have been in the interest of achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people to falsely accuse an innocent man of rape, as a case of the end justifying the means. I believe this philosophy has been used throughout history to justify terrible atrocities. I’m sure Hitler and the Nazi’s believed their ends justified their means and that the success of their “1000 year Reich” would have meant that the murder of millions of Jews and other unwanted persons in time would mean the greatest good for the greatest number. I don’t believe the system is evil in itself or even wrong. If used in the right situations and by the right people it has the potential to do the greatest good. As with any system though the biggest question for me is who, who decides? Who decides what is best for me or what is best for that person? Utilitarianism doesn’t go far enough in regards to autonomy but does embrace beneficence in that decisions should be made and laws passed that will have the best outcome for the most people, but could go too far by the wrong but good intentioned politician or person in authority. In
Reflection Paper #1, “The Three Ethical or Systems of Morality”
We have discussed three major ethical or systems of morality; Ethical Egoism, utilitarianism, and Kantianism. The three systems go to different degrees in respect to the two ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Although quite different from each other in many ways some of them do share some common principles between them. In this paper I will discuss the similarities and differences of the three systems. We also watched the video case study “The Old Person’s Friend” which I will relate one of the theories that I believe best deals with this case.
Ethical egoism is the system of morality that I have the most problem with or …show more content…
I believe that it has the potential to do great harm or be abused if it were the prevalent system in use. On the outward appearance Utilitarianism could appear benevolent it its pursuit of the most happiness for the most number of people. The problem for me is when it argues that the ends justifying the means and the possibility of the violation of the autonomy or rights of the minority or individual in its equation and calculation of a moral decision. In evidence to my aversion to Utilitarianism is from our class discussion and review of the rape case (Elements pages 111 & 112) in were it would have been in the interest of achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people to falsely accuse an innocent man of rape, as a case of the end justifying the means. I believe this philosophy has been used throughout history to justify terrible atrocities. I’m sure Hitler and the Nazi’s believed their ends justified their means and that the success of their “1000 year Reich” would have meant that the murder of millions of Jews and other unwanted persons in time would mean the greatest good for the greatest number. I don’t believe the system is evil in itself or even wrong. If used in the right situations and by the right people it has the potential to do the greatest good. As with any system though the biggest question for me is who, who decides? Who decides what is best for me or what is best for that person? Utilitarianism doesn’t go far enough in regards to autonomy but does embrace beneficence in that decisions should be made and laws passed that will have the best outcome for the most people, but could go too far by the wrong but good intentioned politician or person in authority. In