A.

Define Duty Ethics and Utilitarianism

Deontological (duty-based) ethics are concerned with what people do, instead of the
consequences of their actions. You can't justify action under this type of ethics by demonstrating
that it created positive results, which is why it's often called “non-consequentialist”. Meanwhile,
in utilitarian ethics, decisions are decided for the vast majority of the population based on the
greatest amount of benefit received.

If we compare deontologists with consequentialists, we can see that consequentialists

start with understanding what is good, and recognizing right behavior as the ones that yield the
most of those good things, while deontologists, they tend to do it the other way around, they
decide first if the action is right, and proceed from there.

B. Give one critique on Duty Ethics and on Utilitarianism

 Utilitarianism - In order to achieve happiness, if you abandon the concept of rules,
regulations, and laws in society, then you are forced to rely on the decisions that
others make to not harm your life. A lot of people will say that they agree that
humans are naturally decent, but the fact is that if they think they can get away with
that decision, most people will want to do things against their moral nature. It induces
us to rely on the same moral code and obey everyone else.
 Duty Ethics - Deontological ethics is a matter of subjective perspective. The
moral philosophy behind deontological ethics implies that each person has a
responsibility to do the right thing at all times. Instead of the consequences obtained,
your attention must be on the actions taken. Because of the desire to pursue an
obligation that follows the basic rules of morality, you will still be in a morally
correct position, even though the results you achieve are bad. Deontological ethics
implies that, no matter what, you should always do the right thing.
C. Choose one recent issue/incident/event and give out your stand/position (elaborate and
explain) using the lens of either Duty Ethics or Utilitarianism

River is the daughter of a 23-year-old human rights worker and civic activist, Reina Mae
Nasino. At the time of her arrest in November 2019, Reina Mae was working with the urban
poverty organization Kadamay. Baby River Emmanuelle Nasino was born on July 1, while her
mother Reina Mae Nasino was (and still is) in prison following her arrest in November 2019 as
part of a massive crackdown against the left and left-leaning organizations, facing unlawful
possession of weapons and explosives charges.

During the burial of Baby River, tons of full armed BJMP escorts monitored and
accompanied Reina Mae, and despite the existence of many officials, Reina Mae remained hand-
cuffed. In my own perspective, it clearly shows how they ignored the baby and the mother’s right
to caress and be caressed in each other’s arms, the mother lost its right to properly mourn, or take
care of her child even after the child was born, solely because of duty and orders. They gave
Reina Mae two separate 3-hour time to visit her daughter’s wake but we all know how it is not
enough but because it was what was ordered for them to do, they did not give Reina the chance
to properly say goodbye to her child and people are calling out the government for this.