Naputo, Margilyn P.

BSAIS 1-A

INTEGRATING ETHICAL THEORIES

The following is a brief summary of the most common categories of ethical theories.

• Consequence Based (Utilitarian)

➢ this perspective, founded by Jeremy Bentham, focuses on consequences and results and
the pursuit of common good — a central goal is to maximize happiness and minimize
suffering for the most people.
➢ focused on consequences and results; the sole basis of morality is determined by
its usefulness or utility. The morally “correct” action is the one the produces the most good
(or the most happiness) and the least amount of suffering for the most people (pleasure
over pain)
➢ A distinction is made between act utilitarianism (one chooses an action based upon the
probable consequences) or rule utilitarianism (adhering to rules that will maximize utility).
Act utilitarians place a focus on the effects of one’s individual actions (e.g. Lee Harvey
Oswald’s assassination of President John F. Kennedy), while rule utilitarians focus on the
effects of types of actions (such as killing or stealing) and how to handle them in terms of
rules and laws.

• Duty Based (Deontology)

➢ this perspective, founded by Immanuel Kant, is focused on binding rules and one’s
obligation and duty to family, country, church, or other etc. One’s motive is important;
results or consequences of one’s actions are not the focus.
➢ The term deontology comes from the Greek deon, “duty,” and logos, “science.”
➢ Deontologists first consider what actions are considered “right” and proceed from
there. This is in contrast to utilitarians who start by considering what things are good, and
identify ‘right’ actions as the ones that produce the maximum of those good things.
• Contract Based (Rights)

➢ this perspective is about rights and agreements between people; not necessarily about
character, consequences, or principles.
➢ The concept of rights based ethics is that there are some rights, both positive and negative,
that all humans have based only on the fact that they are human. These rights can be natural
or conventional. That is, natural rights are those that are moral while conventional are those
created by humans and reflect society's values.

• Character Based (Virtue)

➢ founded by Aristotle, this perspective is focused on virtue and practicing good.

➢ emphasize virtues of mind, character and sense of honesty. Virtue ethicists discuss the
nature and definition of virtues and other related problems which focuses on the
consequences of action. These include how virtues are acquired, how they are applied in
various real life contexts, and whether they are rooted in a universal human nature or in a
plurality of cultures.

ETHICS IN RELIGION

Most religions have an ethical component, often derived from purported

supernatural revelation or guidance. Some assert that religion is necessary to live ethically.

A. Ethical Teachings in Hinduism

Hinduism, the primodial religion in India and probably the oldest religion in the world, has no
official founder.

• Brahman is the Hindu belief of the spirit underpinning the world. Within humans
this spirit is referred to as Atman, or the soul. In the Hindu tradition dharma is the
searching for that which holds everything together.
• Believe in samsara or reincarnation, the cycle of rebirth, a cycle that only ends
when a person discovers his or her essential nature as the spirit. This is
called moksha.
 • Another key belief linked to the theory of reincarnation is the law of karma, which
is the law of cause and effect. Karma states that what we set into motion has a habit
of catching up with us. The idea of ahimsa or the principle of non-violence is
central in this as hurting others amounts to hurting ourselves. Humans have to bear
the consequences of what they do, if not in this life, then in the next life.

There are three major Gods who are associated with creation, preservation and destruction:

• Brahma – creative force of the universe who is at the center of collective worship.
• Vishnu – god of light and warmth, preserver of order and harmony.
• Shiva – destroys and re-creates the universe.

Hindu literature variously discuss ethics as one or more of four topics:

(1) Gunas that is inner tendencies of conduct found in every individual (in large measure,
psychology);
(2) Purushartha that is proper aims of life for every individual for self-development and
happiness (dharma, artha, kama and moksha);
(3) Ashramas that is ethics for an individual in different periods of one's lifetime (ethical
expectations for a child are distinguished from those for adults, old age); and
(4) Varnasramas that is ethics and conduct for every individual in relation to society.

B. Ethical teachings in Buddhism

Buddhism. Was founded by Shiddharta Gautama, the Buddha. The second oldest religion in India.

According to Buddha, every individual man has 3 characteristics, namely:

Suffering (dukkha), impersonality or unsubstantiality (annata), and impermanence (annica)

Four Noble Truths

1. Life is permeated by suffering (dukkha)
2. The origin of suffering is craving (tanha)
3. The origin of suffering can be eliminated through the elimination of craving
 4. The elimination of suffering is possible through the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding- start journeying into Eightfold path

2. Right Thought- mind must be free from impurities
3. Right Speech- should be vigilant with our words
4. Right Action- avoidance of killing, stealing etc.
5. Right Livelihood- observance of a right occupation
6. Right Effort- self perfection
7. Right Mindfulness- observance of four fundamental elements of mindfulness
(body feelings, mind, ideas)
8. Right Concentration- mind’s single objectiveness.

C. Ethical teachings in Islam

The ethical injunctions in Islam are divided into two:
(1) The minor ought that includes abstention from alcohol, pork and gambling.
(2) The ethical injunctions in Islam, the major ones. The five obligations
imposed in Qur’an They are: obligation to profess the faith; obligation to
pray; obligation to give alms; obligation to fast; obligation to have
pilgrimage to Mecca.
 REFERENCES

Habibi, Don (2001). “Chapter 3, Mill’s Moral Philosophy”. John Stuart Mill and the Ethic of
Human Growth. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. pp. 89–90, 112.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml

https://www.whyislam.org/social-ties-2/morality-ethics-in-islam/

https://www.dummies.com/religion/exploring-religious-ethics-in-daily-life/