Ethical Theory: How People Make Ethical Decisions – PHI-305 Sample Paper

Ethical Theory: How People Make Ethical Decisions – PHI-305 Sample Paper

Ethical Theory: How People Make Ethical Decisions – PHI-305 Sample Paper

R. H.

Grand Canyon University: PHI-305

Ethical Theory: How People Make Ethical Decisions

People do or do not do things based on their beliefs, motives, and ethical theory. One’s ethical theory is influenced by many factors such as their past experiences, religious beliefs, and desire to do what is right. Metaethics is the understanding of what goes on in one’s mind through an above view (Grand Canyon University, 2016). When determining moral judgments metaethics is important because it asks the big picture questions that make up ethics itself. Ethical thinking is turned into practical and moral actions when one’s ethical theory in life influences decisions. Ethical theory is what one believes to be right or wrong and good or evil. One’s ethical theory supports his choices within ethical dilemmas (Wilkens, 2011).

Ethical Theory

Ethical theory, the reasoning behind why one does or does not perform ethical or unethical actions, is made up of one’s beliefs, past experiences, and priorities. Moral judgments must take also must take each of these factors into consideration. People’s motives are heavily influenced by their ethical theory. For example, a man who attends church regularly and believes in the Bible as an ethical guide would decide not to steal because his ethical theory is based on Christian values which say “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15, Kings James Bible). A man who believes in karma and being a good person would not lie because he would be sending bad vibes towards himself. Everyone has a reason behind why they would not do something that is “bad.” “In ethical theory an action itself may not be the only factor in [the] assessment of that action” (Wilkens, 2011, p 18). One’s actions are not the only element that determine one’s morality or ethical theory. If a man’s family was starving and he stole just enough food to feed them for one day would that be seen as unethical? Some would say stealing is always wrong however, the man’s circumstances must be considered when determining whether his actions were ethical.

The why behind the action may not always deem the action ethical but is part of the ethical theory. Some ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology and virtue-based ethics are used to classify some people’s actions. For example, utilitarians judge whether an action is moral by if it is best for the greatest number of people (Filip, Saheba, Wick, & Radfar, 2016). These different theories group people’s individual ethical theories and allows for easier classification of what a greater number of people believe. Breaking ethics down into these three theories assists people when explaining to others what they believe. The nature, grounds, and methods of moral judgments can be presumed when one’s ethical theory is determined. After understanding one’s ethical theory it becomes easier to see the metaethics and motives behind his decisions.

Metaethics

Metaethics goes beyond asking what is good but asks what and who determines what is good, and is anything good? Metaethics demands a separating away from moral actions to determine moral judgments from a “big picture” point of view. This allows for ethical issues to be analyzed from a greater point of view to see the attitude behind the actions. Actions and thoughts towards the actions are looked past in metaethics to question if humans even understand the difference between right and wrong (Grand Canyon University, 2016).

Moral judgments must consider metaethics because metaethics is the understanding of ethics itself. Metaethics can be seen as the framework of ethics. To judge moral actions one must understand what is going on in the mind of the person committing the action and to understand his thoughts must understand metaethics. Ethical thinking considers how people think and how they make ethical decisions which metaethics looks at big picture. Metaethics looks at why people think about ethics and if they even do think about ethical dilemmas.

Ethical Thinking

When making ethical decisions ethical thinking determines how one reacts to a moral or ethical dilemma. One’s ethical theory is involved immensely in his ethical thinking because it is a factor of how he sees the world (Wilkens, 2011). If a man ethical theory is that he should do all things unto Christ and used the Bible as his ethical guide, then his ethical thinking should align with Christ’s teachings. For example, if that same man was given the opportunity to steal a car his ethical thinking of what would Jesus do would determine his action to not steal the car.

Practical and moral actions are determined by one’s ethical thinking because thoughts lead to actions. People’s ethical theories are made up of their ethical thinking which translates to their actions. In order to right ethical decisions one must have good ethical thoughts. In my life I use the Bible as my ethical guide. My ethical thinking process compares my possible reactions to the Bible and its teachings. My ethical theory supports my ethical thoughts that result in my ethical actions.

Actions are the sum of what people believe and think to be good, best, or right. Ethical theory is what one believes and understands to be ethical. Metaethics is an above view of ethics and is essential in the understanding of ethics. Ethical thinking are the thoughts behind the ethical actions. Each piece of ethics play a role in the decisions people make in ethical dilemmas.

References

Filip, I., Saheba, N., Wick, B., & Radfar, A. (2016). Morality and ethical theories in the context

of human behavior. Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics, 32(2), 83-87.

Grand Canyon University. (2016). PHIL-305 Lecture 1. Phoenix, AZ.

Wilkens, S. (2011). Beyond bumper sticker ethics (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarstiy

Press.