What Are The Most Common Ethical Theory Examples

In order to make ethical decisions, it is important to be familiar with ethical theories. There are many different ethical theories, but they all share common goals: to identify the best course of action and determine what is morally right. In this blog post, we will explore three of the most common ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics.

We will discuss the main principles of each theory and give examples of how they can be applied in everyday life. We hope that this blog post will help you to better understand the ethical theory and to make more ethical decisions.

What Are Ethical Theories

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “ethical” as “involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval.” That’s a pretty broad definition, and it covers a lot of ground. Let’s break it down a bit further.

An ethical theory is a system of morality that dictates how people ought to behave. The three major ethical theories are deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. Deontology is the theory that people should act in accordance with certain rules or principles regardless of the consequences.

Utilitarianism is the theory that people should act in such a way as to maximize utility, which is often defined as happiness or pleasure. Virtue ethics is the theory that people should act in accordance with certain virtues, which are often understood to be moral character traits. Each of these ethical theories has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each is better suited to some situations than others.

📏Examples

Deontology

Deontology is the ethical theory that people should act in accordance with certain rules or principles regardless of the consequences.

The strength of this theory is that it provides a clear moral framework that can be applied to any situation.

The weakness of this theory is that it can lead to morally unjustifiable actions, such as lying or cheating if those actions are necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that people should act in such a way as to maximize utility, which is often defined as happiness or pleasure.

The strength of this theory is that it takes into account the consequences of an action, and so can be used to justify actions that might otherwise be considered morally wrong.

The weakness of this theory is that it can be difficult to determine what the best course of action is, and it can lead to actions that are not in the best interests of all people involved.

Virtue

Virtue ethics is the ethical theory that people should act in accordance with certain virtues, which are often understood to be moral character traits.

The strength of this theory is that it focuses on the character of the person acting, rather than on the consequences of their actions.

The weakness of this theory is that it can be difficult to determine what the virtuous thing to do is in any given situation.

Ethical Principles

We all know the Golden Rule, but what about the other ethical principles that guide our lives and our decision-making?

Here are three of the most important ethical principles that everyone should be familiar with.

The principle of utility is the ethical principle that holds that the right thing to do is whatever will produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. This principle is also sometimes referred to as the “greatest happiness principle.”

The principle of autonomy is the ethical principle that holds that each of us has a right to make our own decisions about our lives, as long as we do not infringe on the rights of others. This principle is based on the belief that we are all capable of reason and thus capable of making decisions about our own lives.

The principle of beneficence is the ethical principle that holds that we have a responsibility to help others, whenever we can do so without harming ourselves or others. This principle is based on the belief that we are all interconnected and that what we do affects others, for better or for worse.

These are just three of the most important ethical principles that everyone should be familiar with. There are many other important principles out there, but these three provide a good foundation for living a good, ethical life.

By familiarizing yourself with these principles and incorporating them into your decision-making, you can make sure that you’re always doing the right thing.

More Examples

Business Ethics

Businesses that operate in a way that is morally correct. This could involve things like fair labor practices, environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes, or charitable giving. Essentially, an ethical business is one that tries to do good in the world, beyond just turning a profit.

Ethics In Fashion

Clothing that is produced in a way that is not harmful to people or the planet. This could involve using sustainable materials, fair trade practices, or supporting local economies.

Ethical fashion brands are becoming increasingly popular as consumers become more aware of the issues surrounding fast fashion and its impact on the environment and workers’ rights.

Ethical Hacking

Hacking skills for good instead of evil. Ethical hackers are often employed by companies to test their cybersecurity measures by trying to break into their systems. This helps companies find and fix any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

📔Reading Material

Here are some good books that delve into ethical theories and provide valuable insights into moral philosophy:

“Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues” by Steven M. Cahn and Peter Markie: This comprehensive textbook offers an overview of the history of ethical theories, from ancient times to the present day. It covers major ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and more. The book also explores contemporary ethical issues and debates.
“Ethics: A Very Short Introduction” by Simon Blackburn: In this concise and accessible book, Simon Blackburn introduces readers to key ethical theories and concepts. It provides a clear understanding of major ethical perspectives and encourages readers to think critically about moral dilemmas.
“Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” by Michael J. Sandel: Harvard professor Michael Sandel explores various ethical theories through engaging real-life examples and thought experiments. The book delves into topics such as distributive justice, moral reasoning, and the ethical implications of different policy choices.
“Ethics: The Fundamentals” by Julia Driver: This introductory text covers fundamental ethical theories and concepts. It offers a balanced examination of various ethical perspectives and encourages readers to think critically about moral issues and moral reasoning.
“Ethics: Theory and Practice” by Jacques P. Thiroux and Keith W. Krasemann: This book presents an in-depth analysis of ethical theories, discussing how they apply to real-life moral dilemmas. It covers utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, social contract theory, and more, providing practical insights into applying ethical principles.

Conclusion

Ethics is not a cut-and-dry subject. The different ethical theories provide various frameworks from which to approach ethical dilemmas. As you can see, each theory has its own strength and weaknesses. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which theory they think best navigates the murky waters of ethics.

What do you think? Which ethical theory do you find most persuasive? Let us know in the comments. And if you’re interested in learning more about philosophy, be sure to check out our other articles on the subject.