Team Assignment - Essay Example

Philosophy The utilitarian theory is regarded as one of the strongest as well as persuasive approach particularly when it comes to the history of philosophy. The theory is known to be morally upright and that is why the results bring out the most good and this conclusion is arrived at by looking at the consequences. According to the utilitarian theory, the good of others is what matters most as in comparison to one’s own good (Melden, 2008). The other theory is known as Kant’s moral philosophy and it is the right substitute to utilitarianism.

This theory disregards consequences and that is why it is known as deontological. It advocates for doing the right thing regardless of whether it is causing any harm. In regards to the theories the leading advocates include; Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) who started the utilitarianism. He stated that the morally upright thing to do is that of not harming other people and bringing about happiness. Other Classical Utilitarianism starters include Richard Cumberland (1631-1718), John Gay (1699-1745).

On the other hand Kantianism theory was introduced by Immanuel Kant (Melden, 2008).Cultural relativism is defined as a standard initiated by Franz Boaz which indicates that people’s ideas and opinions are factual in accordance to the civilization they are in. Cultural relativism shows that customs, beliefs as well as ethics that are related to a person in the society he is in. simply put is that wrong and right are classified in terms of a person’s culture (Melden, 2008). It shows that no culture is better than the other.

In regards to individual relativism this means that a person’s beliefs and opinions are strictly what they believe to be true. Individual relativists usually take what he believes in extremely seriously. Looking at the comparison to the ethical relativism to the traditional theories is easy to see that there are some distinctive differences and some similarities. By definition ethical relativism means that there is a tendency of people making decisions that are ethical based on what they see fit in accordance to their beliefs.

Traditional approaches can be classified into two; consequentialism and non-consequentialism (Melden, 2008). Consequentialism means that actions that are right or wrong depend on the consequences; on the other hand non-consequentialism dictates that a wrong or right action does not depend on the consequences. In light of this ethical relativism contradicts with the traditional theories in that the beliefs are not based on the culture one comes from. For instance hedonism theory deals with achieving happiness which is a feeling people have on the basis of how they live their life.

Happiness is in every culture. In comparison to the desire traditional theory, ethical relativism is different just like the hedonism theory which places the happiness feeling on the person and not on the culture they come from. When comparing the utilitarian theory to the ethical relativism there is a difference since utilitarianism seeks to arrive at what is good; what is good is relative in most if not all cultures. Ethical relativism compared to Kant’s moral theory is somehow similar since they base the actions done on the society or culture the people come from.

Kant argues that doing things that are moral helps to benefit the universe at large. Our team believes that ethical relativism is not a sound framework for ethical behavior since right or wrong should not depend on a person’s view, or culture. Doing the right or the wrong thing should depend on the consequences. If the repercussions will harm other people then the action should be stopped while on the other hand if the action will make others happy, it should be done. ReferenceMelden, A.I, (2008).

Ethical Theories. New York: Lightning Source Incorporated Publishers.