Background
Ethics is a concept that permeates all aspects of life. Ethical theories provide guidance to a way of life for many people. Businesses and organizations are held to ethical standards for the activities in which they engage. There are many ethical theories that have been postulated by different scholars. The perspectives of these theories hold different premises. The choice of an ethical theory either for personal or professional life depends on ones views and moral predispositions. However, a proper ethical theory should have certain general characteristics that cut across the general board. This is the topic of this paper, tempered by a review of different ethical theories.
A Review of Ethical Theories
Egoism
Egoism is a doctrine that holds the view that individual self-interest is the real motive behind every conscious action. The doctrine holds that the valid end to every conscious action is self interest. Proponents of this theory have excessive concerns for themselves and some may have an exaggerated sense of self importance. Egomaniacal individuals identify with this theory because it gives them a sense of right (Al-Rodhan, 2008).
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that holds that a proper course of action is one that optimizes utility. By optimizing utility, the theorists conceptualized it to mean reducing personal suffering and maximizes on happiness. In this theory, the resulting outcome determines the moral worth of every action. The grey area in this theory is the amount of consideration that should be accorded to intended, foreseen and actual consequences. This theory is unlike egoism because it does not glorify self-interests, especially if in the pursuit if the same, one causes personal suffering (Mill, 1962).
Deontology
This is a normative ethical theory that holds the morality of any action is judged by the adherence to set rules by the perpetrator of an action. The basis of this theory of ethics is obligation, duty and rules. The theory argues that rules bind an individual to duty. This theory upholds the rue of the law and requires that all moral acts be judged on its adherence of the established laws (MacKinnon, 2012).
Virtue Ethics
In the view of this theory, one’s character has an important part to play in determining the morality of an action. The theory holds that one’s character is the standard for evaluating the morality in an action and consequently determining ethical behavior (Shafer-Landau, 2012).
Rights Theory
In this theory of ethics, the rights that are established by a society have the highest priorities and are protected. The endorsement of rights by a ruling or large population gives established rights a sense of validity and correctness. As such, an action that is in contravention of established rights is immoral and is the embodiment of immoral behavior (Fiore, & Nelson, 2003).
Human Rights
Human rights refer to particular moral guarantees that one is granted for simply being of the human race. This is dominant doctrine of morality that is used to evaluate the morality of the geo-political order in the contemporary society (Sweet, 2003).
Preliminary Thesis Formulation
I hold that a proper ethical theory be it for professional or personal life should have the following characteristics: -
- Explain the need for a sense of moral obligation
- Account for overriding characters and binding forces in moral obligations
- Account for moral accountability
- Explain why it is plainly wrong to live for self-indulgence and self-interests
- Justify the importance of heroism and self-sacrifice in morality
- Justify virtues rather than hollow abstractions.
Scope of the Thesis Statement
In arguing the thesis statement, the paper will outline a primary standard against which the appropriateness of an ethical theory can be determined. The primary standard will combines different aspects. These aspects include intent, virtuous behavior, generalizability and consequences. The paper will also explain how the primary standard will be used to determine wrong from right.
Paper outline
The following is the outline for the paper.
Introduction: this part of the paper will introduce the topic to be discussed. It will define concepts and contextualize them to the topic under discussion. This part will also highlight the various concepts that the paper will discuss and the depth and breadth of the engagement.
Review of theories: The paper will review the various theories of ethics in order to familiarize with the different positions and perspectives. In the review, the paper will outline the various positions held by different theories and the rationale for those positions.
Definition of the Primary Standard: in determining the proper ethical theory for personal and professional life, a primary standard is important. In defining this primary standard, the paper will discuss the aspects that form the primary standard. The aspects that will be reviewed include intent, consequences, virtuous behavior, generalizability and rights.
The use of the Primary Standard: this part of the paper will discuss the use of the primary standard in determining wrong and right. The paper will also list down good intentions that will be used to determine whether behavior is virtuous or not.
Conclusion: The conclusion will summarize the facts in the discussion and provide recommendations where necessary. The conclusion will also restate the thesis statement and qualify it with the facts from the discussion.
References
Shafer-Landau, R. (2012). Ethical Theory: An Anthology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
MacKinnon, B. (2012). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues, concise edition. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Al-Rodhan, N. R. F. (2008). "Emotional amoral egoism": A neurophilosophical theory of human nature and its universal security implications. Zürich: Lit Verlag.
Mill, J. S. (1962). Utilitarianism: On liberty ; Essay on Bentham. Fontana.
Sweet, W. (2003). Philosophical theory and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ottawa. University of Ottawa Press.
Fiore, R. N., & Nelson, H. L. (2003). Recognition, responsibility, and rights: Feminist ethics and social theory. Lanham, Md. Rowman & Littlefield.
