Theories of Ethics

 

Theories Of Ethics

 

Consequentialism – Claims that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences

 

Hedonism – Views that only pleasure is good as an end; pleasure is the highest good

 

Utilitarianism - Believes that the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the test of right or wrong

 

Self-Realization – Holds that the ultimate end is the full development or perfection of the self

 

Non-consequentialism – Claims that the morality of an action depends on its intrinsic or on its motives

 

Divine Command Theory – Claims that the morality of an act depends on whether it is in accordance with the will of God

 

Categorical Imperative Theory – Holds that for one’s action to be morally right, a person must e willing to have everyone act in the same way

 

Egoism – Claims that an action is right only if it is in the interest of agent

 

Situation Ethics – Claims that the morality of an action depends on the situation and not on the application of the law

 

Institutionalism – Claims that the one’s knowledge of right and wrong is immediate and self-evident

 

Emotive Theory – Claims that moral judgements do not state anything that is capable of being true or false but merely express emotions like oaths or exclamations

 

Ethical Relativism – Holds the view that there is no one correct moral code for all time and peoples, that each group has its own morality relative to its wants