How Deontological and Teleology Theories Are Used to Analyze the Issues in Frank and Mollys Case - Essay Example

Ethics Case Facts Introduction The field of moral philosophy (ethics) encompasses ifying, defending and commending concepts of veracious and wrong conduct. Philosophers today generally divide ethical notions into three broad subject areas: normative ethics, meta-ethics and applied ethics. Meta- ethics explores where our ethical values come from, and their meaning. Normative ethics involve a more concrete task, which is to attain moral principles that standardize right and wrong behavior. Finally, applied ethics involves scrutinizing specific, controversial matters, such as abortion (Hare, p. 1). This paper will explain how deontological theories and teleology theory can be used to analyze and decide the ethical issues in the Frank and Molly’s case. The paper will also make decisions on whether Molly should run the ad in relation to deontological and teleological normative principles. Deontological theories fall under normative ethics. Deontological theories are also known as duty theories. Most of us have that feeling of obligation as human beings, such as caring for our children (Hare, p. 37). Deontology theories base morality on particular foundational principles of obligation. They are at times known as non-consequentialist because they are obligatory, irrespective of the consequences that might follow from our actions. Deontological theories are subdivided into four. The first theory is by a German philosopher, Samuel Pufendorf, who classifies dozens of duties under three headings. It comprises of duties to God, duties to oneself and duties towards others. Duties towards others are divided between absolute duties that bind people universally and conditional duties which are due to contracts between people. Absolute duties involve avoiding wronging others, treating people as equals and promoting the good of others. One of the principal of conditional duties on the other hand, is to keep one’s promises (Hare, p. 38). According to these theories, ethical issues in Frank and Molly’s case are very clear. First, Frank is witnessed violating these ethics as a lawyer for Chemco Company. Frank violates both the absolute and conditional duty theories by negotiating and getting a settlement that led to purchase of plaintiffs and tearing down of homes, leaving many people homeless and with lands. Frank does not promote the good of others through his actions (Hare, p. 38). Secondly, as the president of Chemco Company, he violates the conditional duty theory by not keeping his promise of continuing to provide jobs to his employees. Instead, he sells the Company to foreign investors who move the business to India, making the locals lose their jobs and a means of income. As a governor, he does nothing to advance the programs he proposed and used as a platform to get him the governor seat. He does nothing to improve the welfare of Kentucky’s businesses. The second based theory to ethics is rights theory. Generally, a ‘right’ is a justified claim against another’s behavior. John Locke, a British philosopher, argues that the laws of nature dictate that we should not harm anyone’s life, liberty, health or possessions. Other rights include rights of speech, rights of property, movement and religious expression (Hare, p. 39). Moral rights are traditionally associated with four features. These features include natural insofar meaning are not created or invented by governments; universal insofar meaning they do not change from country to country; equal meaning that rights are the similar for all people, irrespective of race, gender or handicap and inalienable which means that one cannot hand over their rights to another individual. We also witness the neighboring lands and homes being polluted and eventually, the families lose their homes and lands to Chemco Company as the land is converted to a recreational park and becomes Chemco’s property. Kant’s theory, the third duty based theory, stresses on a single principle of duty. The theory is also known as categorical imperative. Categorical imperative simply mandates action irrespective of one’s desire (Hare, p. 40). In respect to the case, Frank violates this principle by putting his own interests first, rather than doing what is more significant like retaining jobs for his employees. Lastly, the fourth duty based theory is by W.D. Ross, a British Philosopher; prima facie duty theory involves actual moral convictions. Prima facie duties consist of fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence (Hare, p. 43). Prima facie is not seen in the Frank and Molly’s case, since, actions of injustices, infidelity and maleficence are more prevalent in the case. Firstly, families become homeless and lose their jobs due to Chemco’s industrial activities. People lose their jobs, and Kentucky’s economy deteriorates and Frank, Kentucky’s governor, does nothing to show gratitude for being elected as governor. According to deontological theories, Molly should not run the ad because the theory of duty states that one should avoid wronging others, treat each other as equal and promote the good of others. If Molly runs the ad, she will be violating the principles of deontological theory. Consequentialist theory It is important for one to define his/her moral accountability by assessing his/her actions. Consequentialist normative principles presume us to weigh between the good and bad consequences of actions (Hare, p. 45). After that, we decide whether the good will outshine the bad. If the magnitudes of the good deeds are greater than bad consequences, then the act is morally appropriate. If the bad consequences are greater than the good, then the deed is morally inappropriate. Consequentialist theories are similarly referred to as teleological theories as the end outcome of the deed is the lone determinant factor of its morality. Teleology is sub-dived into three divisions. They include ethical egoism, altruism and utilitarianism (Hare, p46). Teleological theory can analyze the ethical issues in the case by looking at Frank’s actions that are witnessed in the case. According to teleological we can deduce that Frank suffers from ethical egoism since his actions favor him more. For instance, the sale of the company makes him very rich, and he even manages to be governor and it is well we known that political campaigns are very costly. Conferring to teleology, Molly should run the ad since her actions will only be justified by the consequences. For example if she chooses to run the ad, more good will be done than harm, since the ad will expose Frank as a malefactor. The masses will have an opportunity to elect someone who has their interests at heart. The only bad consequence is that the ad will hurt Frank, hence the good outweighs the bad and the action can be termed as a proper action. . Work cited Hare, R. M. The Language of Morals. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1952. Print. Read More