THEORY CONCERNING ETHICS

Several theories that concerning ethics include:

1. Kantian theory,

2. Utilitarianism theory

3. Platonic theory

4. The theory of mean

                             

    1. KANTIAN THEORY .

A founder of this theory is Emmanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) who believed in actions. People actions should be careful executed. 

 Kant’s theory is an example of a deontological moral theory  according to these theories, the rightness or wrongness of actions does not focus on their outcomes or results but on whether they fulfill our duty. 

2.UTILITARIANISM THEORY. 

The theory was first developed by Jeremy Bentham (1748 – 1832) and later on by John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873). The concentration was not on the action, but rather the results of
action. It is not only about action itself but also the results of that action: benefits or harms. If the
results of an action help someone, to them, is good; but if it harms someone, it is bad. In other
words, the utilitarianism is all about the consequences of an action. Hence, utilitarianism,
generally, believes that the right course of action is the one which will produce the greatest
happiness to the greatest number of people.
 

3.PLATONIC THEORY .The founder of this theory is Plato. He said what is ethical and what is not. According to Plato
ethical views, each human being is the combination of two things; and one of these things is very
important. The two things are :Physical body and Non physical body (soul)

 4. MEAN THEORYThe founder of this theory is Aristotle. Mean means moderate. According to Aristotle, there are
three main ideas which are:
1. The highest good to a person, according to Plato, is happiness, but Aristotle believed not only
a person but everyone. The ethical issue on Plato concentrated on happiness. Here the idea is that
happiness is the highest good. Happiness, according Aristotle, is the universal good/truth. For
one to attain this happiness, they need to live the virtual life (i.e. human character) which is
creativity, respect, and development of reasoning. He insisted on the base of reasoning or
wisdom. Aristotle suggested that if one wants to achieve the virtue ethics, they need to be
moderate in their standing (i.e., not too pain nor happiness).
2. Moral virtue we cannot achieve it abruptly. He said that ethics is practical and therefore people
have to practice to live the ethical life. Moral virtues, according to him, are acquired by the
combination of the three things:

  

Knowledge Habituation (i.e. the act to be doing it – practice)Self - discipline

3. Moral virtue/moral act they require conscious choice and moral purpose and motivation.

Conscious choice means people need five needs to be accountable for our own actions i.e. there

is no “I am sorry”