Act Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics: Pros and Cons

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Advantages of Act Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics
Disadvantages of Act-Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics
Better Theory and Combining the Two Theories
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Moral theories help people systemize and codify their judgments about conduct or behavior standards. Act utilitarianism and virtue ethics are moral theories that justify and help reflect on the ethical decisions made. Virtue ethics is normative ethics concerned with the goodness of a person acting. Meanwhile, act utilitarianism is descriptive ethics stating if the action is suitable and beneficial to the majority. Act utilitarianism is better than virtue ethics since it has the majority in mind. The two theories strengths can be combined to enhance act utilitarianisms weaknesses.

Advantages of Act Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics

Act utilitarianism and virtue ethics demonstrate varying and similar advantages over other moral ethics. The act-utilitarianism is objective since it solves each moral problem without generating moral dilemmas (Ecoffet & Lehman, 2021). The theory is impartial and does not distinguish between individuals. Furthermore, the approach has a simple formulation with circumstantial flexibility having a critical implication for the animals moral treatment (Killoren & Streiffer, 2020). Act utilitarianism, therefore, focuses on the actions consequences, unlike virtue ethics.

Virtue ethics presents several advantages that can strengthen act utilitarianism. The theory helps us understand the ideal of impartiality in responding to peoples doubts. The theory also centralizes what constitutes a good human life (Gardiner, 2018). Furthermore, unlike Kantian ethics, virtue ethics offers a natural and appealing moral motivation source (Gardiner, 2018). Therefore, the theory enables people to maintain personal and interpersonal connections to better their lives.

Disadvantages of Act-Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics

Act utilitarianism and virtue ethics have several weaknesses due to their varying approaches. Act-utilitarianism critics say it gives wrong answers to moral questions permitting what people know as morally wrong (Killoren & Streiffer, 2020). Unlike virtue ethics, the theory focuses on the majority giving an unrealistic perspective of society. Furthermore, the approach provides a potential for a tyrannical rule by the majority. On the other hand, Virtue ethics does not provide sufficient guidance on what should be done in certain situations (Gardiner, 2018). The theory is incomplete: it does not explain when particular virtues apply under challenging conditions and what should be done when virtues present conflicting actions. The two theories strengths and weaknesses can complement each other.

Better Theory and Combining the Two Theories

In my view, the act-utilitarianism is better than virtue ethics. Act-utilitarianism, unlike virtue ethics, has the majority in mind demonstrating the democratic nature of society. Act utilitarianism gives specific answers to specific moral problems avoiding moral dilemmas. In contrast, virtue ethics fails to provide directions on which specific virtue to apply when in a difficult situation. Furthermore, virtue ethics does not offer explicit suggestions if the virtues present conflicting actions. Therefore, act utilitarianism is better than virtue ethics since it is clear, concise, and focuses on the majority.

Virtue ethics strengths can be utilized to enhance the act-utilitarianism theory. Although act utilitarianism is impartial, it does not explain ideal impartiality. The virtue ethics idea impartiality explanation can help in the act-utilitarianism. Unlike the act-utilitarianism, which only focuses on actions, virtual ethics focuses on the different levels of goodness. Therefore, virtue ethics can be utilized in weighing options before making a utilitarian decision. Therefore, act utilitarianism and virtue ethics can be used to complement each other.

Conclusion

Moral ethics are significant when making decisions and weighing the impact of such decisions. Act utilitarianism is a descriptive norm, while virtue ethics is normative ethics. Act utilitarianism has various advantages, like being objective and impartial. Virtue ethics explains what constitutes a good human life. The two theories demonstrate various disadvantages that each others strengths can complement. Act utilitarianism is better than virtue ethics since it is democratic and impartial. Virtue ethics can help when making utilitarian decisions since it can help understand the extent of happiness. Combining act utilitarianism and virtue ethics gives an adequate theory to lead to informed and morally good decisions.

References

Ecoffet, A., & Lehman, J. (2021). Reinforcement Learning Under Moral Uncertainty. Web.

Gardiner, S. M. (2018). Introduction: Virtue ethics, here and now. In S. Gardiner (Ed.), Virtue Ethics, Old and New (pp. 1-8). Cornell University Press.

Killoren, D., & Streiffer, R. (2020). Utilitarianism about animals and the moral significance of use. Philosophical Studies, 177(4), 1043-1063.

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Act Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics: Pros and Cons

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