Ethical Theories
There are three basic ethical theories introduced and discussed in Chapter 1; Virtue Ethics, Utilitarianism (ethics for the greater good), and Universal Ethics.
Virtue Ethics
Based off of the works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Virtue ethics is the belief that a person lives his or her life in order to become the best person they believe they can be based on what that person holds as a "clear ideal" (Ghillyer, 2012, p. 6). Virtue ethics are extremely limited by the fact that different societies and hold different values to certain virtues and this can create a possible value conflict between people and groups based on what they believe to be right and wrong.
Utilitarianism
Basically defined as, the ends justify the means, meaning that regardless of the actions taken to achieve a goal all of the taken actions are deemed as necessary and ethical because of their outcome. The biggest shortfall of this theory was demonstrated by Hitler's Nazi Germany during the Second World War. At this time it was believed that ridding the world of what the Nazis perceived to be lessor people would ultimately lead to a better world regardless of the brutal actions that would need to be taken to achieve this goal.
Universal Ethics
Universal ethics nearly the polar opposite of utilitarianism in that it measures right and wrong by the actions taken rather than their outcome. German philosopher Immanuel Kant argued there should be a single set of principals to define right and wrong and should be applied to every ethical decision a person has to make. Unfortunately if an action that will produce an outcome that is for the greater good is seen as unethical this theory would not allow that action to be taken.
There are obvious shortcomings to all three of the above ethical theories, as a result it is not uncommon for people to practice ethical relativism.
Ethical Relativism
Ethical relativism is a theory of ethics that allows the moral decision making process to be more flexible by giving a person the option to take into consideration more than just a set list of concrete rules. "...many people choose the idea of ethical relativism, whereby the traditions of their society, their personal opinions, and the circumstances of the present moment define their ethical principles." (Ghillyer, 2012, p. 7)
Virtue Ethics
Based off of the works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Virtue ethics is the belief that a person lives his or her life in order to become the best person they believe they can be based on what that person holds as a "clear ideal" (Ghillyer, 2012, p. 6). Virtue ethics are extremely limited by the fact that different societies and hold different values to certain virtues and this can create a possible value conflict between people and groups based on what they believe to be right and wrong.
Utilitarianism
Basically defined as, the ends justify the means, meaning that regardless of the actions taken to achieve a goal all of the taken actions are deemed as necessary and ethical because of their outcome. The biggest shortfall of this theory was demonstrated by Hitler's Nazi Germany during the Second World War. At this time it was believed that ridding the world of what the Nazis perceived to be lessor people would ultimately lead to a better world regardless of the brutal actions that would need to be taken to achieve this goal.
Universal Ethics
Universal ethics nearly the polar opposite of utilitarianism in that it measures right and wrong by the actions taken rather than their outcome. German philosopher Immanuel Kant argued there should be a single set of principals to define right and wrong and should be applied to every ethical decision a person has to make. Unfortunately if an action that will produce an outcome that is for the greater good is seen as unethical this theory would not allow that action to be taken.
There are obvious shortcomings to all three of the above ethical theories, as a result it is not uncommon for people to practice ethical relativism.
Ethical Relativism
Ethical relativism is a theory of ethics that allows the moral decision making process to be more flexible by giving a person the option to take into consideration more than just a set list of concrete rules. "...many people choose the idea of ethical relativism, whereby the traditions of their society, their personal opinions, and the circumstances of the present moment define their ethical principles." (Ghillyer, 2012, p. 7)