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  • Essay / Reflection on ethical theories: utilitarianism and deontology

    In today's world, individuals can make a single decision that can have a positive or negative effect on their family, their employer, their colleagues and even on the whole world. The life we ​​lead reflects the strength of a single trait: our personal character. Also, if we choose to use personal ethics. Personal ethics are different for each person, but for the most part, people want to be known as a good person and as a trustworthy person. Of the four ethical theories, such as teleology, deontology, intuitionism, and virtue, deontology is most closely aligned with how I make ethical decisions. I'm sure I've already said, "That's the principle of the thing." However, after studying these principles, I agree that consulting all theories through critical thinking better helps a leader make the best ethical decision possible. I would use the following characteristics of each theory to help me make the most ethical decision. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayEthical theories are moral concepts or values ​​that dictate whether the choices I make are right or wrong. The two ethical theories that I believe are most important in society are utilitarianism and deontology. Utilitarianism is a theory that “justifies the morality of an action on the basis of its consequences.” Ultimately, we all want ourselves and the people I care for to be equally happy. Ethics considers that the motive for the act is more important. When determining the value of decisions, the consequences are based on the rules of each ethical theory. This includes providing the foundation necessary to make logical decisions based on ethical reasoning. Unfortunately, there are many situations in which a person's rights are vulnerable due to unethical and moral situations, such as sexual harassment in the workplace. To prevent similar situations from recurring, individuals must understand when to apply ethics in decision-making. For this type of mentality to occur, the public must be informed about the different types of ethical ideologies and know how to approach situations based on ethical solutions. Once the public becomes aware of ethical theories and how to avoid unethical situations, sexual harassment in the workplace will decrease. Deontology and utilitarianism are ethical theories that were formed to deal with social norms, values, and morals. One of the few similarities between deontology and utilitarianism is that both concepts provide guidelines for how individuals can make ethical decisions. The purpose of both ethical theories is to determine the wrong or right value of actions based on the theory's ideal society and morality. Therefore, ethical theories are established in such a way that individuals are capable of making consistent moral decisions based on ethical reasoning and decision-making. Ultimately, this results in utilitarianism and ethics that guide individuals in their decisions and actions. Although this is the case, both theories do not explicitly tell individuals what to do, but how to view the situation. Deontology is a theory that I follow most when making ethical decisions because for me, “the act should be greater than the consequence”. » (Geuras and Garofalo, 2011). According to theDeontology theory, an essential aspect of this theory is not only happiness, but also making consistent decisions that "always determine humans as the end rather than the means." In other words, it means that whatever the consequence, we would adhere to the same action. For example, if someone at work treated me horribly for many years. Then I became this person's boss; should I take the opportunity to retaliate and treat them badly in return, or do I treat them well based on the value they add to the organization? Ultimately the consequence of treating them kindly despite how they treated us may be painful to us, but it is the principle that the person is the final consideration and therefore should be treated well. In society, there are cases where individuals face unethical situations like sexual harassment, as I believe. declared earlier. In the workplace, it is common for women to experience harassment, which causes them to lose trust in others. During sexual harassment, women are degraded through sexist jokes and unwanted advances in exchange for higher social status. From an ethical perspective, sexual harassment is unethical because women are viewed as an object rather than a person. Women facing harassment have the right to choose how they want to pursue their goals without unwanted influence from other people. Sexual harassment prohibits women from making their own decisions and being free and autonomous individuals. Instead, they are treated like objects. As a result, sexual harassment prevents women from being treated with respect, equality and freedom, not only in the workplace, but also in society. From a utilitarian perspective, sexual harassment is unethical because the ends of the actions do not justify the means. . In other words, bullying does not maximize community good or happiness. The consequences of sexual harassment against women are not only traumatic, but can also have lasting effects. Common emotional and economic effects of sexual harassment include anxiety, depression, job loss, and a reduction in the amount of wages earned. These effects of sexual harassment can last from a few weeks to several years. Sexual harassment is unethical because neither the consequences nor the motives justify unwanted sexual advances. Instead, it causes harm to the community, which goes against one of the main utilitarian values. I believe that sexual harassment is unethical because the abuse of power causes women to demean themselves and find themselves in undesirable sexual situations. When it comes to sexual harassment, women are constantly blackmailed with unwelcome advances in order to keep their jobs or even obtain a higher position. This is contrary to morality, because women are not considered as human beings but as objects. As a result, women lose their right to consenting behavior and to be respected because they are not seen as equal people. I also believe that sexual harassment is immoral because it produces no benefit or advantage to the individual. The consequences of sexual harassment are traumatic and can have long-term effects. I believe that situations like sexual harassment still exist today due to the lack of ethical and moral education. If the public knew why situations are unethical and how.