Week One Ethics Essay
Steve Blakely
ETH/316 Ethics and Social Responsibility
May 8, 2013
Dr. Johnnie Bejarano

Week One Ethics Essay Virtue ethics is also referred to as character-based ethics and discusses a person’s character development over time by cultivating excellence in all that they do and all that others do (Boylan, 2009). The Greek term “virtue” refers to the English term “excellence.” Demonstrating virtuous habits and character traits is viewed in society as excellent behavior. Boylan (2009) stated, “Utilitarianism is a theory that suggests that an action is morally right when that action produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative.” (p. 153). In a sports team environment, making personal sacrifices that puts someone else before you in order to improve the team is viewed as excellent behavior by teammates and supportive of the virtue theory. Deontological ethics discusses how a person’s internal (natural) moral compass commands them to act accordingly and perform their duty in a situation. They believe that right and wrong are found within the behavior of the individual, unlike the utilitarian who acts along the purpose of bettering the group by allowing another to go before them. When discussing why we do something right or wrong, decisions based on public opinion lean toward the ethics-based approach. Virtue and deontological ethics have similar moral application because we do not look to public opinion to determine if something is right. It is the right thing to do if we believe it is right (Diffen contributors. (2013 May 7)). Personal Experience I became increasingly interested in the never-ending battle between the local school board and the school district teachers union. The issue was whether or not to pass a ballot measure to increase Douglas County property taxes to meet the next fiscal budget. There is a husband and wife who live up the street and both are schoolteachers in Highlands Ranch. Conversation with these two at