To compare the similarities and differences between virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics, one must understand what each one stands for. This essay will try and break down each of these theories and compare the similarities between them. Virtue ethics is based on the belief that one should be good in what they do in their lives and that one should strive to be good. This belief of one should be good morally and physically, that while good behaviors are accepted it is expected that physically as in sports to excel as well.
This theory has been contested as saying that if a person, while good in nature throughout his or her life, makes a mistake of a magnitude that is somewhat significant. Does that one mistake outweigh all the good that one person has done throughout his or her life? For example, President Clinton was instrumental in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the welfare reform and health programs but all of that was overshadowed because of his adulterous affair while in office. Does that make him a bad person or does that just shows that he makes mistakes but have been part of something much greater?
A sacrifice fly ball in baseball is called that because the player sacrifices a hit of the ball so that it can advance a player that is already on a base but at the same time, it causes the player that hit the ball to be out. This example briefly defines what the theory of utilitarianism is; the action of one person so that the greater good, in this case the baseball team, is the beneficiary. Deontology is the theory of principle, human reasoning of right and wrong. This theory also states that one is obligated to do the right thing because it is his or her duty to.
The Term Paper on The test of a good theory is how well its stands up in the real world
This paper attempts to prove that the test of a good theory is how well it stands up in the real world. The world is full of problems and some of the greatest problems are found in term of unpredictability. Knowing what will happen as a consequence from doing something now is therefore the essence of good theory because everybody want to be assured that what one has will turn out to be beneficial ...
This theory can also be argued to say who can state what is right or wrong? What is basis of these actions to say whether or not they have done the right thing? Is it the laws that have been written by men or is it human instinct to determine whether that action is good or bad. An example of this would be trying to understand that people that live in the United States believe that the people who hijacked the airplanes that were used in the September 11th tragedy were terrorists and that what they did was pure evil.
However, back in the Muslim culture, some hailed those as heroes in a fight against evil doers. In summary, virtue ethics, utilitarianism and deontological ethics are part of what makes each individual unique by the way they believe and view things and actions based on that belief system. Their moral character defines who they are and influences such as culture and religions also helps in shaping those theories into that individual. References Boylan, M. (2009).
Basic ethics: Basic ethics in action (2nd ed. ).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.