Meta Ethics Assignment
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School
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology *
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Course
3010
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by JusticeCrabPerson1390
META ETHICS
Phil - 3010
Questions
Of the different types of ethical theories: deontological, consequentialism, subjectivism, conventionalism, which do you
find most convincing? Give at least one reason why you prefer that type, and at least one reason for why you don’t prefer each of the other types.
Given the different types of ethical theories, people will have different preferences and different opinions on which is more convincing. Personally, Deontology is the most convincing and most noticeable today. The theory of Deontology determines human practices between morally right or wrong on the basis of whether they follow a certain set of rules consistently (2019). Deontology creates a set of rules for people which limits them to a range of rights and obligation towards others. Humans have the concept of dignity which is a fundamental trait that each and every person holds to a certain regard. By creating a set of rules and along with the fundamentals of human nature, we as people are given a line that prevents us from acting certain ways towards other people and towards ourselves (2021).
In my opinion, the other types of ethical theories are not as convincing as Deontology as I believe that rules exist to maintain civil behavior within individuals and keep fundamental human characteristics organized. Other ethical theories such as Consequentialism say that good or bad is determined by the outcome of one’s decision. In my opinion, the flaw of this theory is that not all good actions are necessarily good and vice versa. It is an individualistic ideology that isn’t defined by a set rules which means that people are not held back by a certain line. An example would be wars that have plagued
human history. Each side of war believes that their cause will bring more good than harm especially withing their own respective communities. But, war brings more loss from a third party’s perspective and I firmly believe that war has no winners. Other theories such as Subjectivism where it says that people’s moral opinion is only based on our feelings where is no such thing as right or wrong. The flaw with this theory is that Subjectivism implies without universal moral rules, all morality loses its importance. I also believe that if moral subjectivism were to be true, then no genuine disagreement regarding morality would exist. This is why I believe that the concept of Deontology, although flawed in the sense that it has no flexibility, is more practical and prevents people from stepping out of line. It confines people and their desires to a set of criteria that, when broken will be considered morally wrong. Which source of ethical theories do you find most convincing: divine command, the social contract, or natural law? Support your answer with your own experiences or beliefs.
Among all the social theories I believe that the social contract theory is the most convincing. This is because if people live according to a social contract, they can live morally by their own choice (2022). The concept of the social contract theory has been prevalent throughout, especially during the war periods of humanity. Because of this I believe that the social contract theory will always exist as long as humanity exists. It instills a sense of duty among people that relates to society as a whole, meaning that it creates a sense of community amongst individuals rather than being isolated. It is the central essence of political philosophy and binds people to a mutual relationship (2023).
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References
Ethical Theories Summarized & Explained: Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Objectivist Ethical Egoism
. (2019, May 1). Retrieved from Objectivism In Depth: https://objectivismindepth.com/2017/04/23/ethical-theories-summarized-explained-
consequentialism-deontology-virtue-ethics-and-objectivist-ethical-egoism/
Ethics Explainer: What is Deontology?
(2021, December 13). Retrieved from THE ETHICS CENTRE: https://ethics.org.au/ethics-explainer-deontology/#:~:text=Deontology%20is%20an%20ethical
%20theory,don't%20aren't.
social contract
. (2023, January 2). Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-contract
Social Contract Theory
. (2022, February 21). Retrieved from Ethics Unwrapped: https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/social-contract-theory#:~:text=Social
%20contracts%20can%20be%20explicit,government%20can%20and%20cannot%20do.