Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce by giving a background to emergence of utilitarianism and deontology
• Give ethical theories of utilitarianism and deontology
• Mention key difference in their approaches
• Conclude in a balanced manner.

Introduction

In moral philosophy, the quest to determine what constitutes right and wrong has led to the development of various ethical frameworks.

• Among these, utilitarianism and deontology stand out as two of the most influential and widely debated theories.
• Both offer distinct lenses through which to view moral dilemmas

Body

Ethical Theories of Utilitarianism and Deontology

• Utilitarianism:
  • Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism, championed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, emphasizes maximizing overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.
  • Example: Consider a policy decision to demolish a historic building to create affordable housing for a large number of citizens.
    • A utilitarian would likely support this action despite the loss of a cultural landmark, as it benefits a greater number of people.
• Deontology:
  • Ethical Theory: Deontology, with Immanuel Kant as its prominent figure, focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, regardless of the consequences.
    • In this case, certain moral duties and principles are considered absolute and universal.
  • Example: A situation where a government official can secure a crucial economic deal by bribing a foreign official.
    • Despite the potential benefits for the nation's economy, a deontologist would object to bribery as it violates the principle of honesty.

Key Difference in their Approaches:

Conclusion

In the complexity of real-life ethical dilemmas, a nuanced understanding of both theories is valuable. Effective moral reasoning often requires balancing the deontological respect for duties and rights with the utilitarian consideration of outcomes and overall well-being.