A634.2.3.RB_The Theories of Ethics

In this blog response I am going to first outline both Consequentialism and Deontology and then I will reply with my thoughts.

Consequentialism

• Is a claim that we are morally obligated to act in ways that produce the best consequences (p.23).
• Adequate consequentialist theory must specify (a) which consequences are morally relevant (i.e., which we should consider when morally deliberating; (b) how much we weight we should give them; and (c) how, precisely, we should use them in moral reasoning’s (p.23).
• Must explain which, weight and how we should use considerations when deliberating (p.25).
• Refers to the Results as the ending point  (the final answer).
• Key Words:
• Costs/Benefits
• Results
• Outcomes
• Consequences
• Ends

I find that I am the type of person who is more likely to evaluate the consequences before I evaluate the principles.  Growing up, my generation was and is about the “here and now” and the “end results.”  I like to know what the cost and benefits are for me and what I will gain once I have done the action. With that being said I also do feel that it is important to understand the morality of the situation.  I suppose it is safe to say that I like to look at things from all perspectives as it will help to come to a strong conclusion but I do lean more towards the consequentialism side of these two theories.

Deontology

• Content there are strict moral limits on what we can do to others; consequentialists do not (p.24).
• Deontologists think rules or principles are important independently of consequences, they disagree about what actions are right (or wrong) and just how right (or wrong) they are (p.24).
• Deontology has two marks in its favor; one, reflects the way most of us acquired and developed our moral beliefs and two, its main competitor is subject to seemingly serious criticisms (p.31).
• Refers to how you get to the results (the process).
• Key Words:
• Principles
• Rules
• Means

Principles and rules are extremely important but speaking for myself I am more likely to go down a path that I know what the end will be and worry about the path when I get on it.  I want to stay living a morally sound and ethical life but I know that in reality that isn’t always the easiest thing to do.  I would be more likely concerned with the end then how I get to the end but I  know I would not make a decision that was too far off the moral path that it would hinder my physical well-being or my moral/ethical presence.

Conclusion
As you can see my thoughts fluctuate between both consequentialism and deontology theories depending on the situation.  It has been my findings that those with a more Christian or religious background tend to lean more towards the deontology theory due to its principle/rules roots but I think that doesn’t play as big of a role in how I view the theory.  In addition it has been my findings that those who side more with the consequentialism are less concerned with the religion but I think that you can be both religious and or non-religious and appreciate both theories.  There are many reasons why people select different theories to live by but I find that it is best to address situations from an open-minded perspective but then apply these theories after an initial analysis.

LaFollette, H. (2007). The practice of ethics. (1 ed., pp. 1-296). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing