Deontological Ethical Framework Essay

Deontological or Utilitarian Ethical Framework?

As we apply ethical standards into our daily activities we are met with some fundamental problems like how to base the standards into our lives and how to apply them in specific situations since they are not based on things like social practices or feelings. However various approaches or frameworks in ethics help in applying these standards.

The focus on understanding the role ethics plays in various beliefs will be on:

• Deontological ethical framework

• Utilitarian ethical framework.

These frameworks fall under, “consequalist which focuses on rightness or wrongness of an action based on the consequences an action has and non-consequalist theory which focuses on rightness and wrongness of an action based on properties intrinsic to the action ,not on its

This framework is also referred to as the Duty-Based Approach and it’s a Non-consequentialist theory, which is concerned with the intentions of the person making ethical decisions about a particular action. The ethical action is done because it is the duty of the individual to perform the action.

Moral values in this framework are very important and they are highly upheld, individuals are obliged with the duty to do the right thing, even if it produces more harm or less good.

This framework therefore acknowledges that actions and their outcomes are independent things, there are things a person has to do, even though they know they are wrong, “such as shooting an intruder to protect one’s family. According to deontology, you need to focus on the act, such as protecting your family, and not the likely death it will mean for the intruder.” (Keefe,2010)

Utilitarian ethical framework.

Utilitarian ethical framework is based on one’s ability to predict the consequences of an action and thus it’s a consequentialist theory. The choice that yields the greatest benefit to the most people is the one that is ethically