Two different types of ethical theory have been called teleological, however. Teleological notions were widespread among aristotles predecessors, but he rejected their conception of extrinsic. Deontological ethics i deontological ethics says that being good consists in following the right rulesmeeting all your obligations. The aim of this book is to explore the theories, explain differences between them, and provide a thorough evaluation of their conclusions. The concept of ethics is historically viewed from the perspective of three schools of thought. You must read only those linked materials that are preceded by the capitalized word read.
It addresses the meaning of ethical terms such as right, duty, obligation, justification, morality, responsibility. The teleologicaldeontological distinction springerlink. Also known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics from the greek deon. Take, for example, the thought that blossoms are forming. Utilitarianism utilitarian moral theory is classical utilitarianism, 2.
There are at least three different ways in which the theory of egoism can be presented. Teleology is the process of explaining something through its function or purpose, rather than what caused it, or the thing itself. It is based on the notion that it is always moral to promote ones own good, but at times avoiding the personal interest. However, it is not always possible to predict the consequences of an action. Types of teleological ethical theories ethical egoism. It can involve biological inquiry, psychological inquiry, economics, sociological inquiry, andor political inquiry. Biblical ethics are both deontological and teleological. What we ought to do the right is based on the goodness of the end we aim for the good. Difference between deontology and teleology difference. From the first category we enumerate the aristotelian perspective or the one developed by j. The motive for our action, the idea of law or duty so important to deontological ethics are things irrelevant to the idea of goodness. Epistemic teleology and the separateness of propositions selim.
Teleological, deontological and virtue ethics theories reconciled in the context of traditional economic decision making article pdf available in procedia economics and finance 39. 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. On a representational theory of thought, this thought involves a representation of blossoms forming. In this approach to ethics it is the consequence of the act that is the basis for determining its worth. You may also notice that i am disinclined to spin a fine distinction between ethics and morality. Deontological ethics systems rely on our sense of duty to act according to what is right.
Teleological ethics uses reason to determine the goals or goods at which our actions should aim, and to guide action toward the achievement of a good goal. According to the teleological perspective, a form of human behavior is described as moral or nonmoral according to the goals explicitly set. You will remember that teleological theories focus on the goal of the ethical action. 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. 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. Teleological theories are ones that first identify what is good in states of affairs and then characterize right acts entirely in terms of that good. Deontological ethics wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. From aristotles nicomachean ethics, through kants critique of.
The ethical systems are based on some form of a rule system. Deontological ethics, in philosophy, ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. They difference between deontology and teleology, is in essence, the same as the difference between absolutist and relativist theories. 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. Analysis of the language, concepts and methods of resoning in ethics. If the conclusions of this paper are correct, this practice must stop. Ethics, moral philosophy, teleological ethics, deontological ethics. It is contrasted with altruism, which is not strictly selfinterested, but includes in its goal the interests of others as well. Teleological ethics definition of teleological ethics by. Teleological, deontological and virtue ethics theories reconciled.
What makes a person good is that he or she accomplishes good things. Conclusions the two categories of ethical theories in terms of which we tried to make our analysis regarding abortion, namely. This division of all ethical theories into two general categories depending on their. Teleological ethics are concerned about the consequences of the action. This article examines the most prominent ethical theories from the view point of economic rationality. Teleological theories differ on the nature of the end that actions ought to promote. Teleology, utilitarianism, and christian ethics 603 states of affairs in which they result. Teleological theories are often discussed in opposition to deontological ethical theories, which hold that acts themselves are inherently good or evil, regardless of the. Pdf this article examines the most prominent ethical theories from the view point of economic rationality. Ethics is defined by the oxford dictionary as the moral principles that govern a persons behaviour or how an activity is conducted oxford university press, 2002. As a result, teleological ethics is also known as consequentialism. Egoism is a teleological theory of ethics that sets as its goal the benefit, pleasure, or greatest good of oneself alone.
One factor we can use to better understand how to apply an ethical theory is to determine whether it is deontological or teleological. The teleologicaldeontological distinction peter vallentyne. Thus, teleological ethics is a consequentialist theory while deontological ethics is a non consequentialist theory. Deontology and teleology are two specialist terms used to separate ethical theories. In the example of killing, a teleological approach to morality could be said to be a little too far on the flexible side. Ethics four branches 3 metaethics the study of ethical terms, statements and judgements. X may be the agent in which case we have ethical egoism, the. Act utilitarianism is a paradigm teleological theory, and the divine command theory and kants moral theory are paradigm deontological theories. Deontology is an approach to ethics which adheres to the theory that an end does not justify the means while teleology is an approach to ethics that adheres to the theory that the end always justifies the means. Consequentialist ethics come from the teleological branch of ethical theory. Deontological ethics are only concerned with the moral law, or duty, that makes a particular action right or wrong regardless of the consequences bowie et al, 2008, p. Categorized under ideology difference between deontology and teleology deontology vs teleology ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves questions about morality and the perception of good and evil, of right and wrong, of justice, virtue, and vice. Teleological ethics definition is a theory of ethics as utilitarianism or ethical egoism according to which the rightness of an act is determined by its end.
It is unclear, however, which of the many features of these theories are the defming characteris tics of teleological and deontological theories respectively. Ancient greek theories are teleological because they identify virtue with the perfection of human nature. I unlike consequentialism, it is highly unsituational. Teleological ethics routledge encyclopedia of philosophy.
Divine command ethics is best understood as an account of the deontological part of morality that concerns duty or obligation. Introduction department of philosophy, university of. A teleological approach to ethics is based on the concept of seeking a telos in ethical decisionmaking. Teleological theories of mental content try to explain the contents of mental representations by appealing to a teleological notion of function. In the context of financial planning, ethics relates to both the behaviour of a. In almost every introductory ethics course the student is taught that there are two basic kinds of moral theories. What makes an action right is that it aims at good results. The idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by the consequences of that action is often labeled consequentialism.
Utilitarianism and situation ethics are teleological approaches. Modern ethics, especially since the 18thcentury german deontological philosophy of immanuel kant, has been deeply divided between a form of teleological ethics utilitarianism and deontological theories. Deontological and teleological ethical theory 1660 words. 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. Therefore, this is the key difference between teleological and deontological ethics. Teleological ethics, teleological from greek telos, end. But in the final analysis, it turns out that there is. This, i believe, will result in more penetrating theory criticism, and more creative theory construction. The difference between teleological and deontological. Slide 1 introductory slide ethical theories provide part of the decisionmaking foundation for decision making when ethics are in play because these theories represent the viewpoints from which individuals seek guidance as they make decisions. Mill, while the kantian perspective is exemplary for deontological ethics. You will remember that teleological theories focus on the goal of. Act utilitarianism is a paradigm teleological theory, and the divine command. Usually, the correct consequences are those which are most beneficial to humanity they may promote human happiness, human pleasure, human satisfaction, human survival or simply the general welfare of all humans.
Each theory emphasizes different points a different. There are several aspects or genres of teleology, and ill try to explain a few. Teleological ethics theories about what is right and wrong are standardly divided into two kinds. Pdf in almost every introductory ethics course the student is taught that there are two basic kinds of moral theories. Teleological ethics teleological ethics is the ethics of ends or purposes of actions telos end. When comparing teleological and deontological ethics, it is obvious that each method opposes the other, and can possibly be argued that each embraces their own unique flaws. Pdf the teleologicaldeontological distinction researchgate. Aristotle is commonly considered the inventor of teleology, although the precise term originated in the eighteenth century. But if teleology means the use of ends or goals in natural science, then aristotle was rather a critical innovator of teleological explanation. 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. Deontological and teleological ethics komilla chadha. Authors argue that utilitarian perspective which used to be.
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