a) Compare and contrast deontological and teleological approaches to ethics. b) Compare and contrast rule and act utilitarianism c) Compare and contrast rule utilitarianism and Kantian theory.

by macabone (student)

AS and A Level Religious Studies & Philosophy

Option B:

a) Compare and contrast deontological and teleological approaches to ethics.

b) Compare and contrast rule and act utilitarianism

c) Compare and contrast rule utilitarianism and Kantian theory. Please apply the theory objectively to your experience to support your thorough critical analysis of both ethical theories

Ethics is the objective of many studying which deals with how man acts properly. This answers the question “ what do I do” that distinguishes right and wrong actions. Many philosophers, approaching the problems in different ways, just want to understand the nature and the meaning of its basic concepts. In this essay, two different approaches to ethics will be discussed: deontological and teleological approaches. After that, it looks detail at one theory is utilitarianism to compare and contrast between rule and act utilitarianism. This essay also identifies the difference between rule utilitarianism and Kantian theory, discussing their pros and cons and their relevance to our daily lives.

Deontological and teleological approaches

Teleological and deontological approaches are also called consequentialitist and non-consequentialist normative theories.

According to Shaw, Barry & Sansbury (2009, p.58) consequentialists are moral theorists who adopt the approach that moral rightness of an action is determined by its consequences: “If the consequences are good, then the act is right; if they are bad, the act is wrong”. Two most important consequentialist theories are egoism and utilitarianism. By contrast, non-consequentialist (or deontological) theories determine that right and wrong action is different in more than the consequences of them. Formalism and religion are two deontological theories.

In both approaches, ...

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Deontological and teleological approaches

Teleological and deontological approaches are also called consequentialitist and non-consequentialist normative theories.

In both approaches, consequences are morally significant, but deontological theory believes that there are also other factors which relevant to moral assessment of an action. The focus of teleological approach is based on the outcome of decision: ethical or unethical while deontological approach emphasis on intrinsically right like truth telling or promise keeping (Maclagan, 1998, p.26). In dialogical approach, the importance when judging whether an action is moral or not is the motive and intent of the actor. This means that if someone is doing something but the outcome results in bad consequence, it is still considered to be a moral or not moral action depending the motive of this action; for instance, it he did it for goodwill, it will be concerned an moral action, otherwise if it action is done with an expect that something will be returned, then the act is not moral. However, in teleological approach, the action with bad consequence outcome is considered an immoral action in any way.

Rule and act utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is approached in two different forms: rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism.

In act utilitarianism, only the basic utility derived from the action is considered. In rule utilitarianism, one judge of an action is referred to its precedent and long-term utility by the rule set by the action. For example, act utilitarianism might support stealing food when someone is too hungry and have nothing to eat because the utility of survival is outweigh the loss of store’s owner while rule utilitarianism would be approached with the effect of that action to behavior. Rule utilitarianism will concern the long-term effect of utility; in here is the effect to rule or harm if the action is repeated in similar circumstance.

REFERENCE LIST

Maclagan, P. (1998). Management and Morality. London: Sage Publications.