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Ethics Essay
Kevin Ivery
ETH/316
January 12, 2014
NATHAN URBANCIC

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Ethics Essay
We develop our ethical values at an early age by learning through our action, and we
continue to build on them throughout our adulthood. In order to become a productive member of
society the development of ethics at an early age is just one of those necessary tools. There are
many similarities and differences between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics.
Throughout my life, I have experience things that would demonstrate the relationship between
virtue, values, and moral concepts.
Ethical Theories Similarities
All three dealt with the basis of one's action whether good or wrong but the relationship
between ones morality and ones duty of the action that was committed. Virtue theory founded
by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle their central principles focus ones character, especially the
personal outlook to act well in various circumstances (Manias, N., Monroe, D., & Till, J. 2013).
Unitarianism was founded by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill and their central principles
view that what we ought to do morally is to produce the greatest possible utility for the largest
possible number of people (Manias, N., Monroe, D., & Till, J. 2013). Immanuel Kant founded
deontological ethics, and he believed moral duties are simply about doing the right thing (Manias,
N., Monroe, D., & Till, J. 2013). Another similarity between virtue theory, utilitarianism, and
deontological ethics is that philosophers in Europe founded them.
Ethical Theories Differences
The three approaches have many differences between them. The ethics in virtue theory is
not the actions that were committed by an individual, but it is the definition of his or her character.
Virtues are character traits that are learned over the years that are not bound by moral rules.
Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of ones action were they believe morality is an
outcome of that action. Utilitarians believe that one's unhappiness is okay as long as the group is

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happy. Deontologists believe that they are bound morally to the consequences of their individual
actions. Deontologists define their action based on rules that determine whether or not the
individual's actions are ethical.
Personal Experience
As I progress in my new role as program coordinator of the Biomedical Engineering shop, I am
dealing with ethical decisions every day. As a third party vendor at the nonprofit hospital, I work
at, and I have to make ethical financial decision that will not impose a financial burden on the
hospital. However, these financial decisions, which I must make must be profitable to my
employer. In order to walk this fine line, I must endure virtue theory, utilitarianism, and
deontological ethics. Doing what is right is in my line of work is foremost the top priority.
However making the hospital happy for saving them money on a repair is not a right or wrong
action it just depend on the process that was taken to achieve that goal. Every year my employer
has every employee sign a document called Spirit of the Letter. This document outlines the moral
and ethical standards that are required to be upheld while employed by this company.
Conclusion
People unknowingly utilize virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics
throughout their life. We as humans learn ethical values that dictate our character or identity. We
learn at an early age that our action has consequences. Rules bind utilitarianism and deontologists
in order fir them to live an ethical life.
References
Manias, N., Monroe, D., & Till, J. (2013). Ethics Applied (7th ed.). Retrieved from The
University of Phoenix eBook Collection.