Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

To arrive at ethical decisions during complex situations, the various dimensions to study of ethics are helpful. Such dimensions include Utilitarian approach, Rights approach, Justice Approach, Common Good approach and Virtue approach.

Utilitarian Approach

The concept of Utilitarianism was given by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in 19th century. As per this approach, the ethical actions are those that provide the greatest balance of good over evil. In this context, war against terror is ethical because it tries to curb death and injury to innocent people.

Rights Approach

This theory emanates from philosophy of Immanuel Kant et al and is based on actions based on free will. This approach supports that individuals have dignity on their ability to choose freely what they do with their life and have basic moral right to do so. Anything that respects this moral right is ethical.

Justice Approach

This approach emanates from the philosophy of Aristotle and other Greek Philosophers, and says that all equals should be treated equally. This approach asks- how fair is an action? And does it manifest in favouritism or discrimination? The core idea is that ethical actions treat all human beings equally and fairly.

Common Good Approach

This approach also emanates from the writings of Plato, Aristotle and Cicero. The core idea is that ethical actions are those which result in everyone’s advantage.

Virtue Approach

This theory says that the ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. Some of the virtues include honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, tolerance, love, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, prudence etc.