350- to 700-word essay comparing the similarities and differences Term Paper

350- to 700-word essay comparing the similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics - Term Paper Example In order to understand these principles better and understand how they can apply to real-life situations it is best to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each individually and then highlight their commonalities and differences. Utilitarianism focuses on the idea that what is morally or ethically right is the course that results in the best possible consequences or what creates the greatest happiness among the larger portion. After all human beings work off of a pleasure principle in their actions and behaviors. This perspective is often found among big decision makers whose behaviors and decisions affect many (Fahey, 2012). Therefore the greatest happiness on the largest scale is being considered, as opposed to the needs of an individual. For example when we are with a group of 5 friends and each want the group to participate in different activities, therefore each member makes their case and the majority activity is chosen. This will not make the whole group happy but it will make the majority happy. Deontologists are dedicated to the idea of actions that are ethical are a result of a sense of duty. There is a staunch strictness to this ethical viewpoint. An action is right as long as it remains in accord ance with preset ethical laws (Rainbow, 2002). A good example is what we see in modern court rooms today, sometimes the law is immutable and disallowing of exception, this takes no consideration of the larger groups concerns or the ethical concerns of the accused. The final ethical principle is virtue ethics, which adheres to the idea that a person’s individual character must be considered as exactly that individual. A prime example of this can be found in our own academic institutions. A friend forgets to properly site a source in his paper, which means he technically plagiarized. However, if you see that the other citations are accurate and this student has had no history of dishonest conduct,