Teleological and Deontological Ethical Systems

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Recommended: Teleological ethics and deontological system

Given the choice between being judged under the teleological and deontological ethical systems most would choose the more lenient system. Teleological ethical systems can be seen as more forgiving than deontological ethical systems, because it believes that good is defined by results. Jeremy Bentham was a supporter of utilitarianism which is a type of teleological ethical system. Utilitarianism system focuses on the consequences of the action and how it positively affects everyone, opposed to negatively affecting one person. If the act benefits majority of society then the act is morally just. The phrase “the greatest good for the greatest number” overall describes this system. In the justice system, one could validate using a repeat offender as a scapegoat for a high profile crime, even though he or she might have not committed that particular crime. The reasoning of the system could be that there is one less criminal off the street and they were an example to others. If I were that one citizen who was unfairly incarcerated just to benefit the cause of society, I would be outrage...

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