Three Theories Of Ethical Reasoning

There are many different types of theories used to describe how humanity understands and grasps the many types of ethical reasoning and how it relates to their moral reasoning. Some of the theories include virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. There are some similarities and differences between the three theories by addressing the concerns of ethics and morality.
One of the theories is virtue, which focuses on the person rather than on the act itself. The goal overall is to be a good person and how they are judged based on an individual's character, motivations, and intentions. These are the “character traits that make up a moral life” (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Pg.40). The second theory is utilitarianism, which seeks the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Pg. 113). There are two parts to utilitarianism; act and rule. Act utilitarian maintains the right things to do in any situation where as rule utilitarian maintains the right thing to do is to follow the rules. Lastly, the deontological theory is based on the idealism of duty that has the meaning that all decisions should be made solely or primarily by considering one’s duties and the rights of others.
There are many similarities with the three theories; all of which plays a part on the ethical …show more content…
The consequential theory focuses morality on the results or outcomes of behaviors that understand actions with good consequences are morally right, and bad consequences are morally wrong (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Pg. 133). “Non-Consequential theory focus on other characteristics when making moral judgements” (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Pg. 169), such as religious commandments or ethical duties and obligations, and individual rights to name a