Ethics: How One Ought To Live

             Could there be a right and moral way a person should live? How can we go about making the right choices in order to be considered a moral person? Can society truly define what is "right" or "moral?" There are many different views on this subject and I will discuss these choices. Utilitarianism is the view of, universality for all, and quality vs. quantity. The people who have shaped the core meaning of ethics, how to do the right thing and what the right thing is, are known as philosophers. Such people like John Stuart Mill, with consequences of an action and Immanuel Kant, who thinks we should be responsible for others. Aristotle's view on virtue and ethics, asks who you want to be. Virginia Held with her ethics of care philosophy. And lastly the idea of relativism.
             Utilitarianism is manly based on the consequences or the outcome of a particular action or event. With the theory of utility each person's happiness or pleasure is equal; no one person can be above or below others. According to John Stuart Mill this theory is about the greatest happiness for all not one individual. The decision should be based on quality not the quantity of the action. For Utilitarianism the "right or "moral" thing to do is whatever creates best balance of happiness and unhappiness or the best balance between pleasure and pain. But Utilitarianism does not come naturally to people; it is something that has to be worked at and developed. We develop this skill through life experiences and gaining knowledge. "Utilitarianism is the theory that we should try to bring about as much happiness as possible." (Rachel's pg.40)
             Another theory on how one can base their decisions is deontological ethics. Analogical is considered the ethics of duty, and of doing the right thing. The two important thoughts that are talked about is first the hypothetical imperative and secondly the categorical im...

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Ethics: How One Ought To Live. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 01:55, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/204143.html