Part A.
NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORY
Normative ethical theory considers the norms of individuals through a critical lens; and then looks to prescribes how one should act from this evaluation, with the assumption that there is only a single criterion of moral conduct that should be followed. This differs from traditional ethical theories as it does not aim to describe actions nor prescribe actions based on the principles of what is generally deemed right and wrong. The three, more widely recognised, strategies of Normative ethics are utilitarianism (a consequentialist theory); Kantianism (a deontology theory); and virtues theory.
CONFLICTS OF THE ETHICAL THEORIES
As defined by University of Tennessee Lecturer James Fieser “the field of ethics involve systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behaviour”. However, while all ethical theories are created with the same intention of fulfilling this principle, they do not achieve this in harmony. This conflict between the theories ultimately is derived from what they declare to be the desired outcomes of an action; or alternatively, how they define what a morally permissible action is.
The most common conflict you will find between the normative ethical theories is that …show more content…
While utilitarianism and Kantianism focus on the central question “what ought I do?” (Act orientated), virtue ethics asks “what sort of person should I be?” (Agent orientated). This difference means that any action assessed to be the morally correct one through virtue ethics may result in conflict with either utilitarianism or Kantianism. For example, the most virtuous action may not result in overall happiness (as deemed morally desirable by utilitarianism); nor may it be an action that treats people as more than a means to an end, or an action that can be willed into universal law (as deemed morally acceptable by the Kantian moral
NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORY
Normative ethical theory considers the norms of individuals through a critical lens; and then looks to prescribes how one should act from this evaluation, with the assumption that there is only a single criterion of moral conduct that should be followed. This differs from traditional ethical theories as it does not aim to describe actions nor prescribe actions based on the principles of what is generally deemed right and wrong. The three, more widely recognised, strategies of Normative ethics are utilitarianism (a consequentialist theory); Kantianism (a deontology theory); and virtues theory.
CONFLICTS OF THE ETHICAL THEORIES
As defined by University of Tennessee Lecturer James Fieser “the field of ethics involve systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behaviour”. However, while all ethical theories are created with the same intention of fulfilling this principle, they do not achieve this in harmony. This conflict between the theories ultimately is derived from what they declare to be the desired outcomes of an action; or alternatively, how they define what a morally permissible action is.
The most common conflict you will find between the normative ethical theories is that …show more content…
While utilitarianism and Kantianism focus on the central question “what ought I do?” (Act orientated), virtue ethics asks “what sort of person should I be?” (Agent orientated). This difference means that any action assessed to be the morally correct one through virtue ethics may result in conflict with either utilitarianism or Kantianism. For example, the most virtuous action may not result in overall happiness (as deemed morally desirable by utilitarianism); nor may it be an action that treats people as more than a means to an end, or an action that can be willed into universal law (as deemed morally acceptable by the Kantian moral