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. Deontological ethics, in philosophy, ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Consequentialist ethics come from the teleological branch of ethical theory. Difference between deontology and teleology difference.
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. Act utilitarianism is a paradigm teleological theory, and the divine command theory and kants moral theory are paradigm deontological theories. The other category of ethical theories, which aims to be a counterbalance of the teleological horizon, refers to deontology. 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. Mill, while the kantian perspective is exemplary for deontological ethics. What we ought to do the right is based on the goodness of the end we aim for the good. Ethical theories introduction ethics of doing ethics of conduct what makes an act right or good. Aristotle is commonly considered the inventor of teleology, although the precise term originated in the eighteenth century.
Ethical systems like utilitarianism and situation ethics voice this belief. On a representational theory of thought, this thought involves a representation of blossoms forming. The teleologicaldeontological distinction springerlink. At its simplest form, ethics can be defined as a system of moral principles. Consequentialist approach one of the most basic of consequences is the impact on people and one of the most basic of all values for determining whether something is good or not is the pleasure that it brings to. The difference between teleological and deontological ethical. 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.
Disadvantage of teleological ethics choosing different groups of people may produce different consequences. 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. Teleological and deontological ethical systems essay. It is contrasted with altruism, which is not strictly selfinterested, but includes in its goal the interests of others as well. According to the teleological perspective, a form of human behavior is described as moral or nonmoral according to the goals explicitly set. 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. Teleology is the process of explaining something through its function or purpose, rather than what caused it, or the thing itself. A teleological approach to ethics is based on the concept of seeking a telos in ethical decisionmaking. Teleological theories, encyclopedia of bioethics, ed. It is based on the notion that it is always moral to promote ones own good, but at times avoiding the personal interest.
What is the difference between 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. The motive for our action, the idea of law or duty so important to deontological ethics are things irrelevant to the idea of goodness. Each theory emphasizes different points a different decisionmaking style or a decision rulesuch as predicting the outcome and following ones. Teleological and deontological ethical systems essay 917. There are at least three different ways in which the theory of egoism can be presented. 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. Theories of ethics, teleology, deontology,virtue ethics. 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. The term deontology is derived from the greek deon, duty, and logos, science.
There are two general answers to this question that create the two main divisions in the ethics of doing actionbased ethics ethics of conduct. 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. 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. Biblical ethics are both deontological and teleological. The study of ethics is a constant endeavor to analyze, examine, and scrutinize human behavior for the purpose of steering people towards the proper moral values. 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. Teleological ethics teleological ethics is the ethics of ends or purposes of actions telos end. Varieties of ancient greek virtue ethics aristotle ethics is.
It is unclear, however, which of the many features of these theories are the defming characteris tics of teleological and deontological theories respectively. Consequentialism stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Conclusions the two categories of ethical theories in terms of which we tried to make our analysis regarding abortion, namely. Teleological ethics, teleological from greek telos, end. There are several aspects or genres of teleology, and ill try to explain a few. 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. If the conclusions of this paper are correct, this practice must stop.
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 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. 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. Both approaches would have led the leader to report the mans crime. Given the choice between being judged under the teleological and deontological ethical systems most would choose the more lenient system. The concept of ethics is historically viewed from the perspective of three schools of thought. 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. Two different types of ethical theory have been called teleological, however. Teleological and deontological ethical theories copy. Teleological ethics determines the goodness or badness of an action by examining its consequences whereas deontological ethics determines the goodness or badness of. In contemporary moral philosophy, deontology is used most commonly to refer to moral conceptions which endorse several theses. 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. Arguments for and against abortion in terms of teleological.
Deontological and teleological ethics flashcards quizlet. In theory, a proponent of teleological ethics can present scenarios which would make it sound nice, but in practice, teleological ethics is simply unfeasible. 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. In almost every introductory ethics course the student is taught that there are two basic kinds of moral theories. Teleological theories are often discussed in opposition to deontological ethical theories, which hold that acts themselves are inherently good or evil, regardless of the. Teleological ethics routledge encyclopedia of philosophy. You will remember that teleological theories focus on the goal of the ethical action. 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. Utilitarianism utilitarian moral theory is classical utilitarianism, 2. It can involve biological inquiry, psychological inquiry, economics, sociological inquiry, andor political inquiry. Divine command ethics is best understood as an account of the deontological part of morality that concerns duty or obligation. Comparison between deontological and teleological approaches. Studies of religion introduction to ethics essay essay question compare and contrast deontological and teleological approaches to ethics.
Jan 12, 2012 the difference between teleological and deontological ethical systems, are teleological ethical system is based on the outcome of an act. Teleological theories are the same as relativist theories. Teleological theories of mental content try to explain the contents of mental representations by appealing to a teleological notion of function. Introduction department of philosophy, university of. You must read only those linked materials that are preceded by the capitalized word read. Very widespread is the division into teleological, deontological and virtue ethics theories boatright, 1997. Teleological and deontological ethics are two opposing ethical theories that determine the moral goodness or badness of an action. Teleological ethical systems can be seen as more forgiving than deontological ethical systems, because it believes that good is defined by results. Egoism is a teleological theory of ethics that sets as its goal the benefit, pleasure, or greatest good of oneself alone. Theologi cal bas is of ethics the masters seminary. Teleological notions were widespread among aristotles predecessors, but he rejected their conception of extrinsic. While deontology is based on mans absolute duty towards mankind and how it is given priority over results, teleology is based on the results of an action and on whether an action produces greater happiness and less pain. 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. 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.
Now with the deontological ethical system this system is base on the act it self. Deontological ethics i deontological ethics says that being good consists in following the right rulesmeeting all your obligations. Others have s aid that the essence of ethics is the pursuit of some human good, such as happiness or pleasure teleological ethics. 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. Baier notes that the word deontology was coined by the utilitarian jeremybentha mto denote. Resultsbased ethics is only interested in the consequences of an act. Consequentialist theories are those that base moral judgements on the outcomes of a decision or an action. Descriptive ethics, therefore, involves the collection of data that relates to moral behavior and the forging of our moral beliefs. They affect how people make choices and lead their lives. 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. From the first category we enumerate the aristotelian perspective or the one developed by j. The difference between teleological and deontological. Ethical theories there are two main theories underpinning the study of ethics. But in the final analysis, it turns out that there is.
In this approach to ethics it is the consequence of the act that is the basis for determining its worth. Difference between teleological and deontological compare. I unlike consequentialism, it is highly unsituational. Thus, in order to make correct moral choices, we have to have some understanding of what will result from our choices. Ancient greek theories are teleological because they identify virtue with the perfection of human nature. 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. Hence, this principle is teleological, but in a broader sense. Deontological and teleological ethics komilla chadha. 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. In benthams theory of utilitarianism, for example, all actions that lead to pleasure or utility are morally right. But if teleology means the use of ends or goals in natural science, then aristotle was rather a critical innovator of teleological explanation. Teleological ethics consequentialist ethics morality of an act is based on the outcome or consequence of the act deontological ethics non consequentialist ethics morality of an act is based in the act itself. In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of.
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