Ethics Are A Set Of Moral Ideals That Human Society Will ✓ Solved

Ethics Are A Set Of Moral Ideals That Human Society Will

Ethics are a set of moral ideals that human society will follow for overall benefit to mankind. This is not to say everyone follows the same ethics. According to an article by Ovchinnikova, Bartashevich & Chumakova (2020), Russian Philosophy professors “proclaim and justify the importance of science of moralizing as first and necessary stage of moral improvement of a person and beginning of all knowledge.” Ethics are complex and there are different types of philosophers who favor different schools of ethics. “Virtue ethics” was popular with philosophers like Aristotle who believed that one should center their development around positive human virtues such as bravery or kindness to provide a great foundation of life.

This way, humans can understand their own nature and build their society positively. A different ethical school of thought is “consequentialism” which judges whether an action is correct or incorrect, largely by the consequences of the action. This means that if a painful or bad action will prevent a large chain reaction of bad decisions, then it would be judged as a potentially good action. Let’s say that I punish my children when they try to jump off the roof; then I am using a punishment action to discipline my children. These children in turn will not try to jump off the roof again due to fear of punitive discipline. This would be considered a positive action in consequentialism ethics.

Another school of ethical thought is “Deontology.” This ethical school of thought believes that there are strict rules that everyone must follow. A person’s life must adhere to these strict rules to be a functioning member of society. For me, virtue ethics is the best fit.

Which would be best fit in your opinion? Ethics are a set of rules which help in governing the society in the right direction and also help in setting up the right expectations for the general population. There are religious beliefs which in turn have a function in defining the ethics of the society. The objective here is that there is a divine being which provides guidance in choosing the right character for a person to act on.

When we look at ethical egoism, it speaks to the individual characteristics of a person and takes that everyone acts out of their own self-interest. This thought in itself has its pros and cons because in theory, every individual has its own thoughts and belief systems, and it will have a tendency to create conflict within the society. As per the Hobbesian theory, the counterbalance to the ethical egoism is to have a greater control of the government in the society. This theory is more aligned with the fact that it will tone down the selfishness of a person. Adam Smith’s perception, on the other hand, is more fine-tuned towards the fact that even though people act in self-interest, there is an underlying inertia which drives people in different directions and differs from that of selfish propaganda. The utilitarian theory sounds very good at the surface but has its own flaws because bringing the greater good to the maximum number of people has its own shortcomings.

In closing, I’d go with what Ayn Rand’s belief system is about ethical egoism, which says that the world can be a better place if we did not have any guilt for making any choice during a dilemma.

Paper For Above Instructions

Ethics play a crucial role in guiding human behavior and shaping societal norms. Different schools of thought in ethics offer varied perspectives on how individuals and societies should navigate moral dilemmas. This paper will explore the principal schools of ethics, including virtue ethics, consequentialism, deontology, ethical egoism, and utilitarianism, while discussing their implications and applications in modern society.

Understanding Ethical Theories

Ethics can be broadly categorized into several schools of thought, each providing a unique lens through which to evaluate human actions. One of the oldest is virtue ethics, championed by philosophers like Aristotle. Virtue ethics emphasizes character and the cultivation of virtues such as courage, wisdom, and temperance. According to Aristotle, the essence of a good life is the pursuit of virtue and excellence (Hursthouse, 1999). This form of ethics suggests that developing positive traits will foster a better society.

Consequentialism

In contrast, consequentialism evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes. The most recognized form of consequentialism is utilitarianism, which posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or minimizes suffering (Mill, 1863). A popular example illustrating consequentialism is punishing a child to prevent future dangerous behavior. If a child is disciplined for attempting to jump off a roof and therefore learns to avoid such risky behavior, a consequentialist would argue that the punishment, although painful, leads to a greater good by ensuring the child's safety.

Deontology

Deontology offers a stark contrast to consequentialism. This ethical framework, primarily associated with Immanuel Kant, asserts that individuals must adhere to a set of rules or duties regardless of the consequences (Kant, 1785). For deontologists, actions are inherently right or wrong, and moral obligations must be fulfilled regardless of the outcomes. This perspective promotes accountability and adherence to moral laws, providing a structured approach to ethics.

Ethical Egoism

Ethical egoism, on the other hand, argues that individuals act in their self-interest. This theory has both proponents and critics: while it acknowledges human nature and the drive for personal benefit, it can lead to societal conflicts due to differing self-interests (Rand, 1964). According to advocates of ethical egoism, pursuing one’s interests can lead to positive societal outcomes if individuals engage in fair exchanges and respect the rights of others. Conversely, critics argue that it fosters selfishness and undermines social cohesion.

Utilitarianism

While utilitarianism emphasizes the greater good, it also presents challenges. Critics, including philosopher John Stuart Mill, highlighted the potential for injustice to occur when the happiness of the majority overshadows the rights of the minority (Mill, 1863). The utilitarian approach can justify actions that harm individual rights for the sake of collective benefit. Thus, while utilitarianism offers a compelling moral framework, its practical application remains contentious.

Combining Ethical Perspectives

In practice, many people find that no single ethical framework provides a complete solution to moral dilemmas. A blended approach that integrates elements of virtue ethics, consequentialism, deontology, and ethical egoism may be necessary to navigate complex moral landscapes effectively. This can lead to a more holistic understanding of ethical behavior, recognizing that each situation often requires a blend of rules, character evaluation, and consideration of consequences.

Conclusion

Ethics serves as a foundational pillar for human interaction and societal structure. While different schools of thought present unique perspectives on morality, the interplay of these ethical theories creates a richer understanding of the moral fabric of society. By reflecting on virtue ethics, consequentialism, deontology, ethical egoism, and utilitarianism, individuals can better navigate ethical challenges and contribute positively to society.

References

• Hursthouse, R. (1999). Virtue Ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Mill, J.S. (1863). Utilitarianism.
• Ovchinnikova, A., Bartashevich, E., & Chumakova, T. (2020). The Importance of Moral Science in Human Knowledge Development.
• Rand, A. (1964). The Virtue of Selfishness.
• Rachels, J. (2003). The Elements of Moral Philosophy.
• Frankena, W.K. (1973). Ethics.
• Nussbaum, M. (2001). Virtue Ethics and Human Development. Journal of Human Development.
• Foot, P. (1978). Virtues and Vices.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics.