Preview

Compare And Contrast Deontology And Utilitarianism

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
274 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare And Contrast Deontology And Utilitarianism
Sarah smith
10/8/2013
Deontology and Utilitarianism
There are two types of Deontology the first one is, one should act based on duty, and the second one is action should be based on the right intention and nothing else. Utilitarianism is when you have to think about the majority of the people no matter what the consequences is. It is based on maximizing happiness for everyone involved.
I would favor Deontology because I think you should do your duty and only do what is right. If you have the right intention you can accomplish anything. If you murder someone I think it’s wrong no matter whom you did it for or why you did it. There are many reasons I disagreed with utilitarianism for example if a hospital had four patients who are dying

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Eth 501 Module 1

    • 1654 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Everyone has the duty to make the right decision or action. The question with deontological ethics, however, is to whom or what is that duty. Utilitarian ethics have an easier way of determining the choice or decision at hand. What maximizes the most amount of good for the most amount of people? Deontological ethics, however, makes decision independent of consequences for the majority or for one’s self. A deontologist makes a decision because it is right. Also, deontological decisions are found to be moral only if the motivation is moral. If the motivation is not ethical, then the action itself is not ethical regardless of how much good was done in the process of doing that action. (Deontological ethics,…

    • 1654 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Even though Deontology and Consequentialism can be extremely similar, both contain key factors that make each idea unique and very different. Sometimes, it may appear that both these theories simply arrive at the same conclusion by way of different paths. While this is sometimes true, it is important to understand how these theories differ. Each of these braches of Ethics deals with morals, actions, ethical decisions and judgments. Beyond the surface though, each of these Ethical ideas begin to differ greatly. Deontology is the theory and/or idea that judges the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to the overall rules. Consequentialism is the theory and/or idea that the morality should be judged on the action’s overall outcome or consequences. Both theories judge morality. However, Deontology judges morality based on the actions themselves, while Consequentialism judges morality based on the end reaction. Out of these two ethical theories I believe Consequentialism to be least likely to be false.…

    • 1233 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What has happened to world poverty since the 1970s? (refer back to the tables by Xavier Sala-i-Martin).…

    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eth316 Week 1 Assignment

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Having a full understanding of the similarities and difference between deontological ethics, virtue theory, and utilitarianism begins with by explaining every ethic theory. With deontology ethic theories is that there is a vital importance on the relations between liability and the principles of actions, which human take. The virtue theory is defined as humanizing excellence in life and founding an characteristic of a good person. Utilitarianism is a theory that states that an action is right when that action can create more help for yourself or group than other back up actions.…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Unlike virtue theory, deontology has a heavy emphasis on duty in action, in adherence to rules. The right action is important here, where upon completion, should bring about the greatest good for all involved. This is somewhat similar to utilitarianism, which does focus on the consequence of the greatest good. However, deontology does not lean on the consequence itself, but more so the principle behind committing the right action. (Boylan, 2009). In turn, the ethics behind deontology is about principle and following rules.…

    • 761 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness. Utilitarianism can be characterized as a quantitative and reductionist approach to ethics. It can be contrasted with deontological ethics which does not regard the consequences of an act as a determinant of its moral worth.…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Deontology: A nonconsequentialist ethical theory that claims an act is to be evaluated in terms ofits accordance with a specified set of rules. (Mosser, 2013)Virtue Ethics: An ethical theory that focuses on the character of the agent in evaluating moral behavior, in contrast to utilitarianism or deontology; often associated with Aristotle. (Mosser, 2013)Utilitarianism: A consequentialist ethical theory that evaluates moral claims in terms of their outcomes and to the extent these outcomes generate the greatest benefit for the greatest number. (Mosser, 2013)I was at the grocery store checking out in the self checkout lane, and I noticed that A single mom and her 3 kids were having to take out items because she had reached her limit, I noticed…

    • 218 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Deontology is defined by the moral obligation of rules and duties. The rules and duties are based on the correctness or principle of an action without regard to consequences. This compares to utilitarianism where the right action is determined by how the action brings about the greatest utility to the group as a whole (Boylan, 2009). Both theories disregard the consequences of that action. Deontology ignores the all consequences, where utilitarianism ignores the consequences to the individual.…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The result of a situation or dilemma is through sound ethical and moral decisions. The differences between the three theories are virtue is an individual assessment, utilitarianism is for the group, and deontology is the duty of the individual or group. Virtue and the goal of achieving the best can cause an individual to question morals and ethics. Cheating to be the best is not moral or ethical. Knowing 100% is put forth toward a goal will bring out the positive characteristics of an individual. Utilitarianism refers to ethical and morality issues by focusing on the overall balance of good over bad consequences of the group. A corporation that reduces medical benefits of the employees to increase corporate bonuses is unethical. A police officer pulls a car over and a fellow officer is driving while intoxicated. The deontology theory would require the officer to arrest the friend because of duty and obligation to the…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Eth316-Ethic Essay

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages

    On the other hand, utilitarianisms are the opposite of deontology because it focuses on the individual as a team player who put the good of the team before their own good. “This theory suggests that an action is morally right when that action produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative” (Bolan, 2009, p. 153). For example, telling the lie would be justifiable if doing so results in greater good for…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ethics Essay

    • 369 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The similarities between the three are that they determine good and bad traits about a person, and with the determination of their actions, it also determines the characteristic of the person which is virtue ethics. Utilitarianism is similar that finds the good in a person. One issue is that it avoids finding the bad in a person. With the deontological ethics the product of the action is good not bad. It holds acts that are morally obligatory for consequences made by human actions. The differences between the three ethics are, utilitarianism is an act that focuses on consequences. Virtue ethics is the character of a person not the actions of a person. Deontological ethics is a reflection of a person’s morality, which is ultimately a combination of that person’s attitude.…

    • 369 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Deontology is an ethical theory whose name is derived from the Greek word “deon,” meaning duty or obligation. Most ethical theories are concerned with what is right or good, and they often attempt to find this by applying a rule or several rules that seem to fit with outcomes that we most commonly find are "good". Deontology is a non-consequentialist moral theory. While consequentialists, such as a utilitarian, believe the end will always justify the means, a deontologist will assert that the rightness of an action lays in the intent. It is the inherent nature of the act alone that determines its ethical standing. Deontology implies that certain actions are…

    • 1714 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Good and Evil in High Noon

    • 1373 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In contrast to this theory is Deontology attributed to philosopher Immanuel Kant. Where a utilitarian focuses on the outcome of an action to determine the ethical choice, Deontology dictates the choice, action, or means themselves must be ethical regardless of the outcome.…

    • 1373 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I prefer utilitarianism because the end result is what matters, whether the person is happy in what he or she is doing.…

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Virtue Ethics

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    If a person is in need it might be obvious that they should be helped. In this situation a utilitarian will point out to the fact that the consequences of doing so will maximize well-being, a deontologist to the fact that, in doing so the agent will be acting in accordance with a moral rule as “do unto others as you would be done by” and a virtue to the fact that helping the person would be charitable or compassionate (Hursthouse).…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays