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| Ethical Theory | Comparison of Ethical Theories | ||
| Utilitarianism Ethics | Deontological Ethics | Virtue Ethics | |
| Definition | It is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility: that is, its contribution to happiness or pleasure as summed among all people. | It is an approach that holds that acts are inherently good or evil, regardless of the consequences. A central theme among deontological theorists is that we have a duty to do those things that are inherently good (“truth-telling” for example); while the ends or consequences of our actions are important, our obligation or duty is to take the right action, even if the consequences of a given act may be bad. | This is an approach that emphasizes rules, consequences and particular acts and places the focus on the kind of person who is acting. The issue is not primarily whether an intention is right, though that is important; nor is it primarily whether one is following the correct rule; nor is it primarily whether the consequences of action are good, though these factors are not irrelevant. What is primary is whether the person acting is expressing good character (moral virtues) or not. |
| Ethical thinker associated with theory | Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill | Immanuel Kant and W.D .Ross | Aristotle |
| Decision-making process | The greatest good for the greatest number. | Telling the truth even if the consequences yield a less than desired result. | Helping an individual or group is charitable and benevolent. |
| Workplace example | Giving a standard across the board pay raise instead of targeted raises. | A boss or manager critiquing an employee on their weaknesses even though it may make the employee temporarily unhappy. | Virtue is in the eye of the beholder. So I say my example is showing loyalty and respect in the face of adversity at work and following the chain of command instead of reporting directly to the top. |
| References: John Stuart Mill, “Last Stage of Education and First of Self-Education,” Autobiography, 1873 (New York: P.F. Collier & Sons, 1909-14). Barnes, Jonathan. “Aristotle and the methods of ethics.” Revue Internationale de la Philosophie 34 (1981), pp. 490-511. Roche, Timothy. “On the Alleged Metaphysical Foundation of Aristotle’s Ethics.” Ancient Philosophy 8 (1988), pp. 49-62. | |||
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