Ethical Theories

Virtue Ethics

It focuses on what you think is right. I, myself was believing that every person has their own goodness inside them. Virtue Ethics was saying that “Act as a virtuous person would act in your situation.” (Athanassoulis 2005)

Simply, you're going to do what you think is beneficial to others because it is your own character who has goodness. You're going to act good because someone needs to be helped.

For Example:

You saw someone stole something from the bag of an old woman. You may not help because you know that you will not receive any benefit if you help the old woman but as a matter of fact, that everyone including you has a virtuousness inside, you will help the old woman even if you cant see any benefit from doing so.

Utilitarianism

In this theory, you will act good because it has the consequence. You're going to sacrifice your own happiness in order to give the happiness of the greater number of people. You're going to act based on how others will react on the decision you made.

For Example:

I want to become a doctor so that, i want to take MedTech as my course in college. But my family, including my extended family wants me to take engineering. In that case, the greatest part of my family was in favor in engineering rather than my dream so that, i will choose to take engineering because i know that thing will make them happy.

Kantianism

It describes the righteous or wrongness of actions depends on the situation. The motive matters that the consequences. What matters also in this theory is to finish his/her own duty. It doesn't matter if the action was good or bad as long as the result is right.

For example:

The best example in this situation is Robin Hood. He used to kill the bad persons by also doing bad actions. But it doesn't matter for the people around him because what matters is the bad people died.

Contract Theory

It develops thinking to have agreements usually in formal and informal agreements in an organization.

For example:

The Talk n' Text and the Smart networks are different in terms of brand name but they have the agreement to combine as one network.

Care Ethics

In this theory, it simply gives us the idea of being fair of anyone to everyone. When you look at the meaning of this theory, as long as you are doing right, you are acceptable.

For example:

The LGBT community they not doing bad and unacceptable actions. So that, the community accept them for who they are. 

As a student, what we think we can apply for our everyday life is the Virtue Theory. Because as a member of a society we have a virtue to do good or what is good for all.

Submitted by: Domasig Kimberly

                    Pranillos, Aileen