4.3 Comparing Virtue Ethics to Consequentialism and Deontology
4 min read•july 30, 2024
, , and offer distinct approaches to . While virtue ethics focuses on character and practical wisdom, consequentialism judges actions by outcomes, and deontology bases morality on rules and duties.
These theories provide different frameworks for addressing . Virtue ethics considers what a person of good character would do, consequentialism weighs overall outcomes, and deontology applies moral rules to determine right action.
Character vs Actions
Virtue Ethics Focuses on Moral Character
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- Virtue ethics emphasizes the of the agent, focusing on virtues like courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom
- It holds that cultivating virtuous character traits (honesty, compassion) leads to moral actions
- For virtue ethicists, a right action flows from good character
- Virtue ethicists focus on the agent's character development and what virtues like courage demand in a given situation (standing up for justice even in the face of danger)
Consequentialism Judges Actions Based on Outcomes
- Consequentialism judges the morality of an action based solely on its consequences or outcomes, not the character of the agent
- The most well-known form is utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize overall happiness or well-being
- For consequentialists, good consequences define the right action regardless of character
- Consequentialists focus on promoting the best overall state of affairs from an impartial perspective (policies that raise living standards for the most people)
- Consequentialists rely on a single principle (maximize good consequences) to determine right actions
Virtue Ethics vs Deontology
Deontology Bases Morality on Rules and Duties
- Deontology bases morality on adherence to moral rules or duties, such as "don't lie" or "respect autonomy"
- These rules define right actions independent of consequences
- For deontologists, the intention behind an action determines its morality (telling the truth because it is one's duty, even if it causes harm)
- Deontology provides clear, universally-applicable moral rules (prohibitions on murder, theft, etc.)
Virtue Ethics Focuses on Character and Practical Wisdom
- Virtue ethics focuses on character rather than rules
- Virtue ethicists look at character and practical wisdom in judging actions, not just intentions
- Virtue ethics acknowledges the complexity of moral life and the need for judgment in applying virtues
- Virtue ethics provides a plurality of virtues that may conflict, requiring practical wisdom to resolve (balancing honesty and compassion)
- Some argue virtue and deontological approaches are complementary - good character disposes us to follow sound moral rules, and moral rules help shape character
Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics
Strengths of Virtue Ethics
- A key strength of virtue ethics is its emphasis on moral education and development of good character, not just right action
- It recognizes the importance of moral upbringing, role models, and habituation
- Virtue ethics better reflects the complexity of moral life, acknowledging a plurality of virtues and the need for practical judgment
- This contrasts with the rigid "top-down" approach of deontology and consequentialism
- Some argue virtue ethics provides a more compelling account of moral motivation (we are inspired by moral exemplars like Gandhi or MLK to be better people)
Weaknesses and Challenges for Virtue Ethics
- Virtue ethics faces the challenge of defining and justifying the virtues
- Lists of virtues differ across thinkers and cultures (ancient Greeks vs. Confucians vs. Christians)
- The focus on character vs. action guidance is both a strength and weakness
- Virtue ethics is less determinate in resolving moral dilemmas (what would a courageous person do in this case?)
- Consequentialists object that virtue ethics fails to adequately consider consequences
- Deontologists argue it neglects moral rules and the special status of duties
Ethical Theories for Moral Dilemmas
Applying Virtue Ethics to Moral Dilemmas
- In a given case, a virtue ethicist would focus on what course of action a person of good character would take
- They consider what virtues like courage, justice or compassion require in that situation
- Regarding the permissibility of torture to gain life-saving information, a virtue ethicist would ask whether torture is compatible with virtues like compassion and justice
- They would examine whether a good person would choose torture even for a good end
- For dilemmas like environmental protection vs. economic costs, a virtue ethicist would consider what virtues like temperance, humility and love of nature require
Applying Consequentialism and Deontology to Moral Dilemmas
- Consequentialists would choose the action that produces the best overall consequences
- Considering a classic dilemma like lying to protect someone from harm, a consequentialist would favor lying if it produces a better outcome
- Regarding torture, a consequentialist would weigh the harms of torture against lives potentially saved
- For environmental dilemmas, a consequentialist would weigh overall harms and benefits
- Deontologists would apply moral rules against lying, killing, torture, etc.
- Regarding lying to prevent harm, a deontologist would likely object that lying violates a fundamental duty of truthfulness
- On torture, a deontologist would likely argue torture violates human dignity and autonomy, so is wrong regardless of consequences
- For duties to the environment, a deontologist would consider if we have categorical duties to future generations or non-human life
Key Terms to Review (20)
Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism: Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism refers to two approaches within the ethical theory of utilitarianism that evaluate actions based on their consequences for overall happiness. Act utilitarianism assesses each individual action on its own, determining its moral worth by the specific outcomes it produces, while rule utilitarianism focuses on following rules that generally promote the greatest good, considering the long-term effects of adhering to such rules.
Aristotle: Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher whose work laid the foundation for many areas of Western philosophy, including ethics. He is best known for developing virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of character and virtues in moral decision-making rather than focusing solely on rules or consequences. His ideas have significant implications in comparing virtue ethics with other ethical frameworks like consequentialism and deontology, as well as in identifying key virtues and character traits that shape moral behavior.
Categorical imperative: The categorical imperative is a fundamental principle in deontological ethics introduced by Immanuel Kant, which asserts that actions must be universally applicable as moral laws. It emphasizes that individuals should act only according to maxims that they would will to become universal laws, promoting the idea of duty-based morality over consequences.
Consequentialism: Consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their outcomes or consequences. This means that the moral worth of an action is determined by its ability to produce good results, often measured in terms of overall happiness or welfare. The focus on outcomes connects this theory to various discussions on moral decision-making, animal rights, and the foundations of ethical reasoning.
Consequentialist critique: The consequentialist critique is an examination of ethical theories that focus primarily on the outcomes or consequences of actions, contrasting them with other ethical frameworks like virtue ethics and deontology. This critique argues that the morality of an action should be judged based on the results it produces, often challenging the rigidity of rules and the character focus of virtue ethics.
Deontological duties: Deontological duties refer to moral obligations that are based on rules or principles, rather than the consequences of an action. This ethical approach emphasizes that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes, highlighting the importance of duty and adherence to moral laws. In this context, deontological ethics stands in contrast to consequentialist theories, which prioritize the outcomes of actions over the actions themselves.
Deontology: Deontology is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following rules, duties, and obligations when making moral decisions, regardless of the consequences. It posits that certain actions are morally obligatory, permissible, or forbidden based on their adherence to established principles, often associated with the philosopher Immanuel Kant. This framework connects deeply with concepts like moral motivation, human rights, justice, and ethical decision-making processes.
Duty-based ethics: Duty-based ethics, also known as deontological ethics, is a moral framework that emphasizes the importance of following rules, principles, or duties regardless of the consequences of those actions. This approach suggests that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based on their adherence to established duties or moral laws, placing a strong focus on the intention behind the action rather than its outcomes. By prioritizing duties, this ethical perspective stands in contrast to virtue ethics and consequentialism, which consider different aspects of moral decision-making.
Ethical dilemmas: Ethical dilemmas are situations where a person faces conflicting moral principles, making it challenging to choose the right course of action. These conflicts often arise when obligations or values clash, leaving individuals uncertain about what decision to make. Understanding ethical dilemmas is crucial as they require not only problem-solving skills but also an awareness of various ethical theories and character traits that influence decision-making.
Immanuel Kant: Immanuel Kant was an influential German philosopher in the 18th century, known for his work in epistemology and ethics. His ideas emphasize the importance of reason and moral duty, establishing a foundation for deontological ethics, which focuses on adherence to rules and duties rather than consequences.
John Stuart Mill: John Stuart Mill was a 19th-century British philosopher and political economist best known for his contributions to utilitarianism and liberal thought. His work emphasizes the importance of individual liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the greatest happiness principle, which connects directly to the evaluation of moral dilemmas and ethical decision-making.
Kantian deontological ethics: Kantian deontological ethics is an ethical framework developed by Immanuel Kant that emphasizes the importance of duty and moral rules in guiding human actions. According to this approach, the morality of an action is determined by whether it adheres to a universal moral law, rather than by its consequences. This system promotes the idea that individuals must act according to maxims that can be universally applied, highlighting the significance of intention and the intrinsic value of each person.
Maximization of happiness: Maximization of happiness refers to the ethical principle that actions should be evaluated based on their consequences, specifically aiming to increase overall happiness or well-being. This idea is central to consequentialist theories, particularly utilitarianism, where the best action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. In comparing ethical frameworks, it highlights how virtue ethics and deontology may prioritize character and duty over mere outcomes.
Moral Absolutism: Moral absolutism is the ethical belief that certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of context or consequences. This viewpoint emphasizes universal moral principles that apply to all individuals, often leading to clear-cut distinctions between good and evil.
Moral character: Moral character refers to the set of personal qualities and ethical traits that define an individual's behavior and decision-making in moral contexts. It plays a crucial role in virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits, or virtues, that guide one's actions. Understanding moral character helps in contrasting how different ethical frameworks, like consequentialism and deontology, prioritize outcomes and rules over the inherent qualities of the moral agent.
Moral Reasoning: Moral reasoning is the process of determining right from wrong through critical thinking and ethical analysis, often guided by principles, values, and societal norms. It connects personal beliefs with broader ethical frameworks to evaluate moral dilemmas, influencing how individuals navigate complex situations and make ethical decisions.
Moral Relativism: Moral relativism is the belief that moral values and judgments are not absolute but are shaped by cultural, societal, or personal circumstances. This concept highlights how different societies may have different moral standards, which can lead to varying interpretations of right and wrong based on context rather than universal truths.
Telos: Telos is a Greek term meaning 'end', 'goal', or 'purpose'. It plays a central role in ethical theories by framing actions and virtues in terms of their ultimate aims or objectives, helping to distinguish between various moral philosophies. In particular, it emphasizes the significance of achieving one's full potential and fulfilling the inherent purpose of an action, which is crucial for understanding virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology.
Utility: Utility refers to the overall happiness or satisfaction that an action or decision brings to individuals. It serves as a fundamental concept in ethical theories that evaluate the consequences of actions, focusing on maximizing benefits for the greatest number of people. This notion is key to understanding different moral frameworks, especially those that prioritize outcomes over intentions.
Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the role of an individual's character and virtues in moral philosophy rather than focusing primarily on the consequences of actions or adherence to rules. This approach encourages individuals to cultivate virtuous traits such as honesty, courage, and compassion, suggesting that moral behavior arises from being a good person rather than simply following prescribed rules or evaluating outcomes.