Ethical Theories LAF
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Running head: ETHICAL THEORIES
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Ethical Theories
Latoi Andrus
ETH/316
Randy Caffee
January 19, 2020
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Ethical Theories
Ethics are set into place to ensure moral conduct. Without ethics, morality wouldn’t exist.
The history of ethics is important in aiding the understanding of the concepts of appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Two traditional types of ethics are theoretical ethics and normative ethics. Two primary types of ethical theories include noncognitive and cognitive theories. Moreover, cognitive theories are categorized into two theories, which are relativist theories and universalist theories. The universalist theory is the most relevant to my life. History of Ethics
It is difficult for many people to identify the prevalence of ethics and morality, until a situation or circumstance which disrupts ethics and morality, takes place. According to Boss (2014), ethics are “used to refer to a set of standards of right and wrong established by a particular group and imposed on members of that group as a means of regulating and setting limits on their behavior.” In history, ethics and morality are identified with cultural norms and customs. Ethics and morality vary from different cultures. For example, certain behavior that may be acceptable across one culture is forbidden in another culture. Ethics is aligned by moral values. Aristotle is a Western philosopher, who is prevalent in the research of morality (Boss, 2014). Aristotle created a school in Athens, where he taught his students to create questions about ideas that are deemed appropriate, acceptable, or the norm (Boss, 2014).
Categories and Theories of Ethics
Two traditional categories of ethics are theoretical ethics and normative ethics. Theoretical ethics, also termed as metaethics, focuses on the reasoning and comprehension of ethics. Examples of theoretical ethics are ethical behaviors, which concern integrity, equality, and honesty. Theoretical ethics cover the core parts of ethics. Normative ethics studies the
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differences between which behaviors are considered right and wrong. An example of a normative
ethical assumption is a claim and consequence of abortion (New World Encyclopedia, 2018). Normative ethics affect the lives of people at many different levels. Examples include personal, interpersonal, social, and environmental (Boss, 2014). Normative ethics are, often, applied in varied circumstances in all aspects of life. Two primary types of ethical theories are noncognitive and cognitive theories. Noncognitive theories aren’t driven on morality, but more on feelings and expressions. Noncognitive theories assume that information about morals are neither right nor wrong (Boss, 2014). Cognitive theories are the opposite of noncognitive theories. Cognitive theories believe that morals are identified as right or wrong. Two types of cognitive theories are relativist theories and universalist theories. The relativist theory revolves around the beliefs of the people. Through the relativist theories, individuals determine what’s right or wrong, based on their cultures and perspectives. They don’t
follow the standards that are set for everyone. Universalist theories believe that there are truths for everyone, regardless of perspectives or norms (Boss, 2014).
Relevancy of Universalist Theory
The universalist theories are most relevant to my life. I believe that everyone should be held accountable for their actions and live by certain, set standards. For example, people should be held responsible for the crimes they commit. Murder shouldn’t be acceptable, regardless of one’s culture or perspective. With universalist theories, people can’t create their own truths to certain behavior. I believe that without set standards in society or across the world, chaos and confusion would form. People would get away with harsh or cruel behavior against others and would not take accountability or responsibility for their actions.
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Conclusion
Ethics ensure moral conduct through a set of standards. In history, ethics and morality are
aided by cultural norms and customs. Two traditional categories of ethics are identified as theoretical ethics and normative ethics. Theoretical ethics research the core parts of ethics, two of
which include reasoning and understanding of ethics. Normative ethics study the right and wrong
behavior in ethics. Two primary types of ethical theories are noncognitive theories and cognitive theories. Noncognitive theories assume that there are no right or wrong morals. Cognitive theories are the opposite of noncognitive theories, as the research of cognitive theories claim that
morals can be labeled as right or wrong. Two type of cognitive theories are relativist theories and
universalist theories. In relativist theories, individuals decide what’s right or wrong. This is based
on different cultures and views. In universalist theories, everyone is held to certain morals, regardless of one’s culture or views. The universalist theories are most relevant to my life because I believe that everyone should be held accountable for their behavior and abide by set standards.
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References
Boss, J. (2014).
Ethics for life
(6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix ebook Collection Database.
New World Encyclopedia. (2018). “Normative Ethics.” Retrieved on January 20, 2020 from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Normative_ethics