Teleological ethical theories vs. Deontological ethical theories By: Jesse Coleman
Teleological ethical theories vs. Deontological ethical theories By: Jesse Coleman There are two theories that have generally been used to analyze ethical questions. They are teleological ethics and deontological ethics.
There are similarities and differences between the two that I will explain in more detail, but first I will define a few terms that need explaining. The telo in teleological is translated as ends or goals. So in essence teleological ethics are decided by the ends not the actions that bring you to them. On the other hand deon in deontological is best translated as rule or duty. The end is not of importance, but it?s the actions that bring you there. This ethics theory uses a set of moral rules to guide actions.
Next I will define and give examples for the specific theories. I will look at two teleological ethical theories, the first being Thomas Hobbes?s egoism theory. Hobbes believed that individuals were looking out for his or her own good. He said that in any situation the individual would choose the side that is in their best interest. Hobbes also said that no act is solely done for others there is always a personal motive involved. For example most people do not say anything when a cashier undercharges them, but if they are overcharged they always point it out to the cashier. A major problem to Hobbes?s ethical theory is that he took a part of human conduct and applied to all of human conduct. Another problem with his theory is that there is no way to prove if someone is acting in their best interest of if that person is honestly trying to help someone else, so there is no test for the egoism theories.
Another teleological theory is utilitarianism derived by Jeremy Bentham. Bentham stated that, ?Mankind is governed by pleasure and pain?. He says are actions are based around what causes the greatest pleasure and the least pain. He basically says that we should look to do the most good for the most people in a society or as a whole. His theory
There are similarities and differences between the two that I will explain in more detail, but first I will define a few terms that need explaining. The telo in teleological is translated as ends or goals. So in essence teleological ethics are decided by the ends not the actions that bring you to them. On the other hand deon in deontological is best translated as rule or duty. The end is not of importance, but it?s the actions that bring you there. This ethics theory uses a set of moral rules to guide actions.
Next I will define and give examples for the specific theories. I will look at two teleological ethical theories, the first being Thomas Hobbes?s egoism theory. Hobbes believed that individuals were looking out for his or her own good. He said that in any situation the individual would choose the side that is in their best interest. Hobbes also said that no act is solely done for others there is always a personal motive involved. For example most people do not say anything when a cashier undercharges them, but if they are overcharged they always point it out to the cashier. A major problem to Hobbes?s ethical theory is that he took a part of human conduct and applied to all of human conduct. Another problem with his theory is that there is no way to prove if someone is acting in their best interest of if that person is honestly trying to help someone else, so there is no test for the egoism theories.
Another teleological theory is utilitarianism derived by Jeremy Bentham. Bentham stated that, ?Mankind is governed by pleasure and pain?. He says are actions are based around what causes the greatest pleasure and the least pain. He basically says that we should look to do the most good for the most people in a society or as a whole. His theory