Teleological ethical systems can be seen as more forgiving than deontological ethical systems, because it believes that good is defined by results. There are two general answers to this question that create the two main divisions in the ethics of doing actionbased ethics ethics of conduct. Ethics four branches 4 applied ethics applied ethics is a part of normative ethics that focus on particular fields the philosophical examination, from a moral standpoint, of particular issues in private and public life that are matters of moral judgment brenda almond. It is unclear, however, which of the many features of these theories are the defming characteris tics of teleological and deontological theories respectively. Teleological moral systems are characterized primarily by a focus on the consequences which any action might have for that reason, they are often referred to as consequentialist moral systems, and both terms are used here. If you do something that is bad as long as the outcome of that act is good then it is considered to be a good act. Also known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics from the greek deon, duty, which holds that the basic standards for an actions being morally right are. Deontological and teleological ethics flashcards quizlet. Disadvantage of teleological ethics choosing different groups of people may produce different consequences. The deontological ethics believes that each of our forms of behavior, each behavioral sequence can be described as moral or nonmoral by referring to certain principles underlying them. A teleological approach to ethics is based on the concept of seeking a telos in ethical decisionmaking. The theory of value, or axiology, is the general theory of all kinds of critical or pro and con predicates, as opposed to descriptive ones, and is a part of ethics borchert, 2006, v9, pg. Varieties of ancient greek virtue ethics aristotle ethics is.
Descriptive ethics, therefore, involves the collection of data that relates to moral behavior and the forging of our moral beliefs. The ethical egoism is a teleological theory that posits, an action is good if it produces or is likely to produce results that maximize the persons selfinterest as defined by him, even at the expense of others. Virtue ethics names a type of ethical theory that takes virtues of character, rather than individual actions or rules, as the most fundamental ethical concepts. Ethical systems like utilitarianism and situation ethics voice this belief. Jun 25, 2019 one common criticism of teleological moral systems is the fact that a moral duty is derived from a set of circumstances lacking any moral component. Ethical theories introduction ethics of doing ethics of conduct what makes an act right or good.
Deontological and teleological ethics komilla chadha. The key difference between teleological and deontological ethics is that the teleological ethics determines the goodness or badness of an action by examining its consequences whereas deontological ethics determines the goodness or badness of the action by examining the action itself teleological and deontological ethics are two opposing ethical theories that determine. Teleological and deontological ethics are two opposing ethical theories that determine the moral goodness or badness of an action. For example, when a teleological system declares that choices are moral if they enhance human happiness, it isnt argued that human happiness is intrinsically moral itself. The concept of ethics is historically viewed from the perspective of three schools of thought. And that is precisely the conclusion wood wants to defend in chapters 5 and 6, that when it comes to material or teleological theories of ethics, fichte wholly agrees with kant in rejecting all such theories 2016, p.
Also known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics from the greek deon, duty, which holds that the basic standards for an action. What is the difference between deontological and teleological. The other category of ethical theories, which aims to be a counterbalance of the teleological horizon, refers to deontology. Teleological and deontological ethical theories copy. Teleological theories are often discussed in opposition to deontological ethical theories, which hold that acts themselves are inherently good or evil, regardless of the. If the conclusions of this paper are correct, this practice must stop. Both approaches would have led the leader to report the mans crime. Egoism is a teleological theory of ethics that sets as its goal the benefit, pleasure, or greatest good of oneself alone. Teleology is the process of explaining something through its function or purpose, rather than what caused it, or the thing itself. Teleological theories are the same as relativist theories. Theologi cal bas is of ethics the masters seminary. It is based on the notion that it is always moral to promote ones own good, but at times avoiding the personal interest. Also known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics from the greek deon.
Moral virtues like honesty, courage, integrity, temperance and generosity are taken to be inherently good first, then actions are evaluated based on whether they express those virtues. In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the action is good. Teleological and deontological ethical systems essay. The broad spectrum of consequentialist ethics, of which utilitarianism is a wellknown example, focuses on the end result or consequences, with such principles as utilitarian philosopher john stuart mill s the greatest good for the greatest number, or the principle of utility. The key difference between teleological and deontological ethics is that the teleological ethics determines the goodness or badness of an action by examining its consequences whereas deontological ethics determines the goodness or badness of the action by examining the action itself teleological and deontological ethics are two opposing ethical theories that determine the moral goodness or. Teleological ethics teleological ethics is the ethics of ends or purposes of actions telos end. Introduction department of philosophy, university of. They affect how people make choices and lead their lives. Jan 12, 2012 the difference between teleological and deontological ethical systems, are teleological ethical system is based on the outcome of an act. Deontological ethics i deontological ethics says that being good consists in following the right rulesmeeting all your obligations.
You will remember that teleological theories focus on the goal of the ethical action. Now with the deontological ethical system this system is base on the act it self. Hence, this principle is teleological, but in a broader sense. In this approach to ethics it is the consequence of the act that is the basis for determining its worth.
Theories of ethics, teleology, deontology,virtue ethics. But if teleology means the use of ends or goals in natural science, then aristotle was rather a critical innovator of teleological explanation. The motive for our action, the idea of law or duty so important to deontological ethics are things irrelevant to the idea of goodness. Teleological ethics, teleological from greek telos, end. The term deontology is derived from the greek deon, duty, and logos, science. Consequentialist ethics come from the teleological branch of ethical theory. Resultsbased ethics is only interested in the consequences of an act. Ethical theories two types of ethical theories i teleological theories value based theories an act is morally right if it promotes the good or what has value. At its simplest form, ethics can be defined as a system of moral principles. In theory, a proponent of teleological ethics can present scenarios which would make it sound nice, but in practice, teleological ethics is simply unfeasible. Studies of religion introduction to ethics essay essay question compare and contrast deontological and teleological approaches to ethics.
Aristotle is commonly considered the inventor of teleology, although the precise term originated in the eighteenth century. Difference between deontology and teleology difference. Conclusions the two categories of ethical theories in terms of which we tried to make our analysis regarding abortion, namely. It is contrasted with altruism, which is not strictly selfinterested, but includes in its goal the interests of others as well. Take, for example, the thought that blossoms are forming.
Two different types of ethical theory have been called teleological, however. Each theory emphasizes different points a different decisionmaking style or a decision rulesuch as predicting the outcome and following ones. Deontology the deontological class of ethical theories states that people should adhere to their obligations and duties when engaged in decision making when ethics are in play. From the first category we enumerate the aristotelian perspective or the one developed by j. But in the final analysis, it turns out that there is. The teleologicaldeontological distinction springerlink. The difference between teleological and deontological ethical. It can involve biological inquiry, psychological inquiry, economics, sociological inquiry, andor political inquiry. Biblical ethics are both deontological and teleological. The teleological ethics of fakhr aldin alrazi using the most extensive collection hitherto of his published and unpublished writings, this volume provides a comprehensive, indepth and interdisciplinary study of the ethical philosophy of alrazi 11491210, a most outstanding and influential medieval philosophertheologian.
In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of. Thomas journal of religious ethics 5 1977 18395, john langan argues that the ethical theory of aquinas is not thoroughly teleological, as might be supposed, since moral acts are not related to the. Ethics are in play because these theories represent the viewpoints from which individuals seek guidance as they make decisions. Deontology is an approach to ethics which adheres to the theory that an end does not justify the means while teleology. You must read only those linked materials that are preceded by the capitalized word read. Teleological ethics also known as co nsequentialist ethics is t he theory of morality that draws moral obligations or duties from what is desirable or good as an e nd to be attained teleological. In benthams theory of utilitarianism, for example, all actions that lead to pleasure or utility are morally right. Thus, in order to make correct moral choices, we have to have some understanding of what will result from our choices. As any other theory it provides explanation and understanding. On a representational theory of thought, this thought involves a representation of blossoms forming. Ancient greek theories are teleological because they identify virtue with the perfection of human nature. Teleological ethics routledge encyclopedia of philosophy. Divine command ethics is best understood as an account of the deontological part of morality that concerns duty or obligation. There are several aspects or genres of teleology, and ill try to explain a few.
The difference between teleological and deontological. Teleological theories, encyclopedia of bioethics, ed. Others have s aid that the essence of ethics is the pursuit of some human good, such as happiness or pleasure teleological ethics. Very widespread is the division into teleological, deontological and virtue ethics theories boatright, 1997. In almost every introductory ethics course the student is taught that there are two basic kinds of moral theories. Arguments for and against abortion in terms of teleological. Utilitarianism utilitarian moral theory is classical utilitarianism, 2.
Deontological ethics, in philosophy, ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. They state that the moral thing to do is one which will change from situation to situation because the consequence of an action is sovereign. Comparison between deontological and teleological approaches. What we ought to do the right is based on the goodness of the end we aim for the good. Given the choice between being judged under the teleological and deontological ethical systems most would choose the more lenient system.
Act utilitarianism is a paradigm teleological theory, and the divine command theory and kants moral theory are paradigm deontological theories. In contemporary moral philosophy, deontology is used most commonly to refer to moral conceptions which endorse several theses. Teleological ethics theories are based on an assumption that a decision behind certain conduct has to be based on an assessment of a respective outcome. There are at least three different ways in which the theory of egoism can be presented. According to the teleological perspective, a form of human behavior is described as moral or nonmoral according to the goals explicitly set. Teleological theories of mental content try to explain the contents of mental representations by appealing to a teleological notion of function. And, from the teleological theory of ethical egoism, it would have been natural for the manger act in selfinterest, with the hope of avoiding any personal consequences northouse, 2016. A teleological theory can therefore be applied situationally and contextually we must consider whether an action in a given situation will produce a desired outcome. Teleological ethics determines the goodness or badness of an action by examining its consequences whereas deontological ethics determines the goodness or badness of.