Summary of the three ethical theories that are most central in philosophic ethics today - Research Paper Example

Ethical Theories Ethical Theories Utilitarianism The ethical theory of utilitarianism s that while distinguishing between the right and the wrong action or decision, decisions and actions should be analyzed on the basis of cost and benefit. It states that those decisions that offer the highest number of benefits and lowest number of costs should be considered as ethical decisions as compared to any other decisions that can be used in a particular situation.Deontology According to deontological ethics actions and decisions are identified as moral or immoral on the basis of the rules followed by the decision maker or the action performer.

One renowned deontologist is Immanuel Kant who has proposed that those actions should be considered as moral for which the reason for conducting an action was that the performer of the action is ready to accept the same action being considered against him in the same situation or in any other situation. This reason has been regarded as the maxim by the theorist.Virtue Ethics According to the principle of virtue ethics an act is considered as ethical or virtuous if and only if the person carrying out that act complies with the standards of honesty as well as righteousness (trinity.edu, 2014).

Virtue ethics emphasizes upon the significant characteristics of an individual who can be regarded as a good human being. The theory of ethics of virtue has proposed the position that a person who can be regarded as good in nature is an individual who complied with various principles of morality. ReferencesEthical Theories Compared. (2014). Trinity.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2014, from http://www.trinity.edu/cbrown/intro/ethical_theories.html