7 Philosophies
| The Seven Moral Philosophies | Compare and Contrast Research Paper | | Terence A. Betts | 3/27/2011 |
Instructor: Kimber Cramer
Davenport University
|
The textbook breaks down seven philosophies used in business decisions; they are Teleology, Egoism, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Relativist, Virtue ethics, and Justice. In this paper I will define each of the seven listed and compare and contrast so that it is clear to decipher each one from the other. Also I will provide an example of each philosophy to help provide further clarity. The first of the seven philosophies I will be discussing is Teleology. Teleology is defined in where an act is considered acceptable if the outcome or result is a desired one. This means that if something does not benefit an individual or a group then they will normally have nothing to do with it. Teleology looks at things for their moral worth by examining its consequences. Present day philosophers refer to these theories as consequentialism. Teleology has two major philosophies that are used in decision making business, which are Egoism and Utilitarianism. Egoism can be defined as the concern for your own interest and welfare in the basis of morality. This philosophy can be very negative seeing that you as an individual care about your well being, which can be looked at as being selfish. However, there is a side of egoism that can be looked as positive which is called enlightened egoism. Enlighten egoism consider the well being of others but they put their interest ahead of anything else. Enlighten egoist, for example may tell on a co-worker that is taking money from the business for the purpose of saving their company from theft. The second philosophy under Teleology is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is defined as the concern for promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Both egoism and utilitarianism are concerned with consequences. However utilitarianism is concerned with
Instructor: Kimber Cramer
Davenport University
|
The textbook breaks down seven philosophies used in business decisions; they are Teleology, Egoism, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Relativist, Virtue ethics, and Justice. In this paper I will define each of the seven listed and compare and contrast so that it is clear to decipher each one from the other. Also I will provide an example of each philosophy to help provide further clarity. The first of the seven philosophies I will be discussing is Teleology. Teleology is defined in where an act is considered acceptable if the outcome or result is a desired one. This means that if something does not benefit an individual or a group then they will normally have nothing to do with it. Teleology looks at things for their moral worth by examining its consequences. Present day philosophers refer to these theories as consequentialism. Teleology has two major philosophies that are used in decision making business, which are Egoism and Utilitarianism. Egoism can be defined as the concern for your own interest and welfare in the basis of morality. This philosophy can be very negative seeing that you as an individual care about your well being, which can be looked at as being selfish. However, there is a side of egoism that can be looked as positive which is called enlightened egoism. Enlighten egoism consider the well being of others but they put their interest ahead of anything else. Enlighten egoist, for example may tell on a co-worker that is taking money from the business for the purpose of saving their company from theft. The second philosophy under Teleology is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is defined as the concern for promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Both egoism and utilitarianism are concerned with consequences. However utilitarianism is concerned with
References: Ferrell, L., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, O.C. (2010). Business ethics ethical decision making and cases. South-Western College Pub. Kraft, J. (2010). Kant 's deontology and categorical imperative. Article Garden, Retrieved from http://www.articlegarden.com/Article/Kant-s-Deontology-and-Categorical-Imperative/47642 Merriam-webster dictionary. Retrieved March 27, 2011, from http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/virtue The free dictionary. Retrieved March 27, 2011, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/relativism