Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 48

Ethics - Essay Example seek to conduct a comparison of the various differences and similarities that tend to exist between utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue theory. The main similarity between the three theories of utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue theory is that they all attempt to try and set a common standard by which an individual who is considered to be a good moral person can live by within a given community (Manias et al, 2013). The virtue ethics measure morality in an individual by using aspects such as moral standing and character within a given community so as to effectively determine the individual’s goodness Devettere (2002), this is similar to deontology whereby a person is considered to be good and moral in the event that their actions within a given community are considered to be the right choice and as such, the actions are good and moral (Tännsjö, 2013). In utilitarianism, individuals are encouraged to base their actions and decisions on what action will ultimately be in the best interest for the majority of people (Manias et al, 2013). The common ground between these three theories is based on mora lity and goodness as is perceived by other individuals within the wider community. The three theories of deontological ethics, virtue theory and utilitarianism can also be seen to be similar in that they all share the same consequence of action. Although it might not be the main focus of the action, the outcomes of the action’s consequences are considered to be primary as a result. All these theories work towards what is being perceived to be the best result depending on exactly what someone else happens to believe that the best results may be. The main difference between the three theories of utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue ethics is that deontological ethics are primarily based on a fixed moral law and duty, utilitarianism on the other hand is based on an enlightened self interest, or simply what serves to make us all