Ethics show you how to live a good life. In order to understand the ultimate good life one must evaluate different ethical theories to find one that fits them best. The Moral Point of View provides a structure for what a good theory should encompass. My position of the Moral Point of View is that it is essential; the theory from class that best approaches how to live a good life is the one that follows it closely. The Moral Point of View requires you to take into account the effect that your actions have on both yourself and others because we have duties and obligations to both ourselves and others. The Moral Point of View deems it important that humans are naturally social. In order for one to be truly ethical and good, one cannot only be …show more content…
The common good is a reflection of the Moral Point of View. In society, there is a give and take between the good and the bad. The goal is to find the balance of these which comes from social interactions; including family, friends, and community. It also comes from within, which is why True Good reflects the Moral Point of View. I believe that putting others before yourself is important, it is also essential to remember that you too are a person and you deserve happiness. The only issue I have with the Moral Point of View is the grey area over how to decide which actions should be for yourself and which should be for others. If there was a clearer outline of how to decide then this point of view would be more concrete. Besides the grey area, the Moral point of View takes into account everyone in every situation and examines the big picture which is why I support …show more content…
While some have affected my position on the Moral Point of View, others have not. Divine Command Theory is based on theism, and that humans need help from God to be good. A right action is one that God commands is right while a wrong action is one that God commands as wrong. This theory is impractical because it contradicts itself. God can command whatever, whenever he wants, which would mean that he is arbitrary. This theory does not affect my position on the Moral Point of View because if it were to be a practical theory, it would neither support nor deny the Moral Point of View. There is no balance to be considered in this theory because God decides right and wrong for humans so they would know what to
Adam Smith’s moral theory explains that there is an “impartial spectator” inside each of us that aids in determining what is morally and universally good, using our personal experiences and human commonalities. In order to judge our own actions, we judge and observe the actions of others, at the same time observing their judgments of us. Our impartial spectator efficiently allows us to take on two perceptions at once: one is our own, determined by self-interest, and the other is an imaginary observer. This paper will analyze the impartiality of the impartial spectator, by analyzing how humans are motivated by self-interest.
Ethics are the principles that shape individual lives in modern society. It is a subjective idea that seems to have a standard in society. Ethics and morals are the major factors that guide individuals to make right and wrong choices. Something that is morally right to one person might be the very opposite of what another person would view as right. There are many factors that can trigger a change in an individual’s view of morality.
One philosopher that gave a very sound explanation of morals is the Greek Aristotle who was a pioneer in a way in explaining how exactly one can be a moral person. Aristotle had a theory known as the Virtue Ethics. The Virtue Ethics provided a list of qualities that summed up what was considered virtuous, moral person. For someone to be a moral, ethical person they must have courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence, magnanimity, reasonable ambition, patience, truthfulness, wittiness, friendliness, modesty, and righteous indignation. If a person can manage to have all of these virtues they are considered moral. It is something that requires balance, however, because having too much or too little of these qualities are considered immoral. This theory revolves around specific characteristics of a person as well as an idea of balance. One weakness though is a person can stay within the guidelines of the Virtue Ethics and still commit immoral acts also this falls upon a personal interpretation. Shooting someone in the face might seem courageous to some but cowardly to others given the situation
The ultimate problem is that people’s perceptions are so skewed. We tend to believe that it is bad to harm others and good to help them, which is right but limiting your judgment of one’s morality based on this is not very effective. We tend to believe in reciprocity, the idea that when someone does something good we expect something back. Instead of relying on getting something back, why not juts do good to be good. We value loyalty to a group we believe in such as religion, which we also see as an authority. We get so hooked to what is accepted by the authority that we just end up following whatever it is deemed to be right or good by them. There is no formula for morality. We have to understand that morality is a mere trick of the brain and can be influenced by many factors.
In conclusion, a satisfactory moral theory may develop from many different views. For Rachels’ view it was a matter of modesty, reason, desert, motives, consequences, community and justice and fairness. Although I agreed partially with Rachels view, overall I believe a satisfactory moral theory would be treating people the way we wish to be treated, thinking of what results from our doings, as well as living according to the best
Ethics plays a very important role in one social system and basically on how the people will make their actions or decide on a particular thing on whether it is the right or the wrong thing. Ethical consideration is very important. It helps a person or a group of person understands whether the actions are right or wrong. Ethics is a very critical factor most especially when considering where the ethical standards are to applied. Aside from it, weighing results of actions or decision is also another major concern because of the fact that a person has critically analyze whose side is needed to satisfied. There are instances that moral obligations are also considered, in which moral is defined as a universal accepted personal human behavior that allows a person to decide whether an action or decision is good or bad.
Every human being carries with them a moral code of some kind. For some people it is a way of life, and they consult with their code before making any moral decision. However, for many their personal moral code is either undefined or unclear. Perhaps these people have a code of their own that they abide to, yet fail to recognize that it exists. What I hope to uncover with this paper is my moral theory, and how I apply it in my everyday life. What one does and what one wants to do are often not compatible. Doing what one wants to do would usually bring immediate happiness, but it may not benefit one in the long run. On the other hand, doing what one should do may cause immediate unhappiness, even if it is good for oneself. The whole purpose of morality is to do the right thing just for the sake of it. On my first paper, I did not know what moral theories where; now that I know I can say that these moral theories go in accordance with my moral code. These theories are utilitarianism, natural law theory, and kantianism.
To act morally means one must think and act in such a way that always considers, supports, and attempts to improve general welfare; furthermore, such thoughts and actions must occur because of moral intentions, not just because one has to. Also, pre-defined rules exist for the common good and these rules help with moral judgment. Such rules would include “no killing”, “no stealing”, and “no lying”. These don’t exist to provide an advantage or cause disadvantage—they exist simply for the good of every individual. To have morality means one must always adhere to these rules no matter the consequences, who is affected, or how it happens, because they only ensure the most good for everyone. However, one’s own standards for morality must also remain considerate of that of others’.
The Divine Command theory of ethics is a theory that states that an act is right or wrong and good or bad based on whether or not God commands or prohibits us from doing it. This means that the only thing that makes an action morally wrong is because God says it is. There are two sides to this theory; the restricted and the unrestricted. The restricted theory basically says that an action is obligatory if and only if it is good and God commanded it; the unrestricted theory states that an act is only obligatory if it is commanded by God, it is not obligatory if it is prohibited by God and it is optional if and only if God has not commanded nor prohibited it.
Before diving head first into the issues surrounding morals and morality, it is important to have a clear idea of exactly what morals and morality are. First, morals are a set of rules that tell us which actions are permissible and which actions should be denounced by all people. These rules are not a matter of pure personal opinion, feeling or taste. Jan Narveson states in Moral Matters: "[w]hen you have an opinion about morals, it isn't just an opinion about what you, in particular, are to do. For it is also an opinion about what everybody else should do" (MM, 12). Second, these are rules that govern over everybody, not a single individual, or group, or society. If morals did not apply to everybody, what would be the point of acting morally? Most people might act morally, an...
Ethics serves as a vital crux of society. We learn through our interactions with others as we progress through life. They provide a moral system for us to go by as we interact and participate with the populace. Ethics guides our decisions, defines our temperament, and influences our future. They establish a very basic form of order that streamlines the productivity of a society.
Describe the ethics theme or principle in a complete paragraph that is general and broadly applicable to life.
Morality involves what we ought to do regarding right and wrong and/or good and bad based on our values, virtues and principles (Gray, JW). Something is moral if it is the right thing to do or rational thing to do based on the facts presented in a situation. Objectivity is the state or quality of being true even outside of one’s individual biases, interpretations, and feelings (Wikipedia). Objective decisions are ones that are not based on personal feelings or opinions, but instead it is based on the circumstances and facts presented when considering a particular decision. I shall argue that morality that is case-by-case or situational can still be objective without universal or general rules.
Ethics are moral principles or values that govern the conduct of an individual or a group.It is not a burden to bear, but a prudent and effective guide which furthers life and success. Ethics are important not only in business but in academics and society as well because it is an essential part of the foundation on which a civilized society is built.
Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is acceptable for both individuals and society. It is a philosophy that covers a whole range of things that have an importance in everyday situations. Ethics are vital in everyones lives, it includes human values, and how to have a good life, our rights and responsibilities, moral decisions what is right and wrong, good and bad. Moral principles affect how people make decisions and lead their lives (BBC, 2013). There are many different beliefs about were ethics come from. These consist of; God and Religion, human conscience, the example of good human beings and a huge desire for the best for people in each unique situation, and political power (BBC, 2013).