Ethics Essay
Michael W. Ulmer
ETH/316
16 December 2012
Dr. Stephanie Hancock

The utilitarianism theory states many actions are right if they are in line with unity Jeremy Bentham was known as the father of the Utilitarian theory. His moral philosophy reflects the “Greatest Happiness Principal.” He asserts people rely on reasoning to give the greatest advantage to maximize happiness and minimize sadness or feeling melancholy. Bentham writes, “By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question.” (IEP 2001) Therefore if the action is not motivated to maximize the greatest happiness the action is morally wrong. Deontologists are moved by the concept of duty. They believe moral duty is the correct way to live. It doesn’t matter if they are happy or if what they’re doing makes them happy. It’s their sense of duty and to be morally correct at all costs that moves them. When they figure out what the motivation is they apply moral duty to the problem. Only after do they access what the right action would be in the natural sense then deal with the consequences of their decisions. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) argued for duty and respect to moral law. Kant thought, “What is singular motivation by duty is that it consists of bare aspects for lawfulness.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 2004). Meaning it could be our duty as a good American or duty as a citizen of a town. If what we are doing in respect to a certain code or being bound to do something as it pertains to following a law. Deontologist differ from utilitarianisms by apply the moral duty aspect to actions while Utilitarianisms are driven by feeling happy if the action is in line with unity. The great Aristotle produced Nicomachean Ethics known today as the Virtue Theory. The theory derives from the basis humans want to be happy creatures and live to have a fulfilled life. This has nothing to do with the fact humans also want physical pleasures. To live a fulfilled live could mean a person goes to school, marries then has a family, retires from a job then lives a life of peace and harmony within their family structure. The fulfilled life means different things to different people. They