Part I
Ethics is the set of beliefs, ideas and guidelines as to what determines the behavior. It is the accepted code of conduct amongst a given group of persons/society. According to Paul and Elder (2), ethics is "a set of concepts and principles that guide us in determining what behavior helps or harms sentient creatures". It also describes of what is good, what is right and how one ought to know what to do. This study gives a description of the different prime theories on how they affect the human sexuality and marriage.
Ethical egoism is a theory based on an individual doing or acting in what is of personal benefit without minding the others. On the moral issues of human sexuality and marriage, egoists view them as an individual thing meant to satisfy oneself. This is whereby marriage is for the own self-interest at the expense of the other party. In human sexuality, the egoists consider the other party as a none-determinant as they are descriptive of everything.
Utilitarianism theory is for the benefit and happiness without any set boundaries. This theory is non-discriminative as it gives an equal chance to others in the context of moral human sexuality and marriage and reduces suffering. Utilitarianism is as a measure by the results that are an action that leads to the best result possible, that more favorable than unfavorable by majority.
Virtue ethics entails the performance and behavior that lead to the adherence of the moral values without considering the end results of the same. It is based on rules and guidelines that clearly define the base for the act of morality. Here, human sexuality and marriage are as a result of certain principles that monitor an act to determine whether it is morally right or wrong.
In the divine command theory an act is either right or wrong on the basis that God command as to either allow or prohibit respectively. The theory considers Human sexuality and marriage as moral because it is a command from God. Therefore if it were not, it would be unacceptable hence immoral.
Kant's Duty Ethics is the acting out of duty or responsibility that makes the will good. Kant says that actions should be based on moral laws, and the doer does not mind the actions being universal laws. An act that is obligatory regardless of its outcome is a duty. One ought to without considering the consequences or other better alternatives. In a marriage, one has a line of duties that are binding as a husband or a wife no matter the strains and circumstances. It entails use of the senses to reason as to what is expected to be done and would on the other hand, be applicable to all (Holmes, 5).
Ross's Prima Facie theory considers an act appropriate if there is a balance between the prima facie rightness over the prima facie wrongness. The prima facie rightness is a determinant of the following virtues; fidelity, reparations, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement and non-maleficence (Ross 24).
Part II
Ethical egoism considers the rights and obligations of health care personnel and patients, truth telling, and informed consent, confidentiality, behavior control and human experimentation, not under any control or affected by any other person apart from own self (Waller 15). One is to determine on what to do that is of own interest without minding the others.
According to the divine command theory, it is a command from God to do what is right even at own expense. The theory expects an act that is holy and acceptable by God. It expects nothing less than the truth, taking responsibility, confidentiality, the right behavior, and of an informed consent.
Kant’s duty ethics expects an act that is out of duty regardless of the beliefs. Therefore; telling the truth, having an informed consent and control of behavior is out of personal duty and responsibility.
Ross Prima Facie Duties on the rights of health care personnel patients expects a consideration of prima Facie rightness over prima Facie wrongness. In case the prima Facie rightness is more favorable, then the act is morally right.
The act of health care, confidentiality, human expectation, and behavior control should be based on concepts and principles. The clearly defined rules identify an act as either right or wrong according to virtue ethics theory.
Conclusion
Each theory is different from the other although there are certain similarities among them. To consider an act as moral, various factors contribute to that such as the society/personal believes, rules and principles, the ego and Devine issues.
Works Cited
Ross, William David. The Right and the Good. Oxford University Press. 2002. Print.
Paul, Richard and Linda Elder. Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. Foundation for Critical Thinking Free Press. 2006. Print.
Holmes, Arthur Frank. Ethics, Approaching Moral Decisions. Intervarsity Press, 1989. Print.
Waller, Bruce, N. "Egoism." In Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues. New York: Pearson Longman: 2005. Print.
