SAMPLE Ethics in America
Normative Ethics (ethical theory and applied ethics) Theterm normative reflectstheordinaryviewthatsomethingsarebetterthanothers.Itisusedwhen makingjudgmentsthatinvolvebasicvaluesandisbasedonculturalnorms. Itisessentiallythestudyof HOW peopleoughttoactbasedonwhatisperceivedasrightorwrong.Oneasksquestionssuchashow one should act in specific situations or scenarios, whether this person deserves to be punished or rewarded, etc. ● Virtueethics placesemphasisonwhoyouareratherthanwhatyoudo.Moralitystemsfromthe identity and/or character of the individual rather than being a reflection of the individual's actions. The basis of virtue ethics lies in the belief that one must begin by developing good character to live a moral life. Therefore, we ought to act in ways that exhibitvirtues(suchas courage or compassion), even if that means doing what might generally be seen as bad or bringingaboutundesirableconsequences.Forexample,exercisingthevirtueofcouragetobea whistleblower,evenifitmeanslosingone'sjoborcausingotherstolosetheirjobs,isconsidered both virtuous and undesirable. Another example might be someone exercising patience and restraint, even if it means losing out on an opportunity. ● Deontological ethics comes from the Greek words for duty ( deon ) and science ( logos ). This “science of duty” approach focuses on the rightness or wrongness of motives. It is also described as duty or obligation-based ethics because deontologists believe ethical rulesbind you to your duty. Godusuallydeterminesthesedutiesorobligations;therefore,beingmoralis oftenamatterofobeyingGod.Divinecommandtheoryisanexampleofdeontologicaltheory.It refers to a cluster of related theories that state thatanactionisrightifGoddecreesthatitis right. The basic tenet is that God’s will is the basis of morality. ● Teleologicalethics derivesitsnamefromtheGreekwordfor“purpose,” telos .Thistypeofethics focuses on the consequences of an action and is often referred to as consequentialist moral systems. In teleological ethics, acts are justified bydemonstratingthatthemoralsbehindthe Normative ethics has three branches: virtue ethics,deontological ethics, and teleological ethics.
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