Veterinarian in Society

ETHICAL THEORIES

• Ethical theories represent the grand ideas on which guiding principles are based. Generally ethical principles stem from ethical theories, and when defending a particular action, ethicist normally appeal to these principles, not the underlying theory. Ethical traditions stretch back to earliest recorded history. Separate bodies of ethics were developed in India and China, and within the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist and Hindu religions. Some of the most commonly cited ethical theories include the following:
  • Natural Law: The system of natural law, often attributed to Aristotle , posits that man / animal should live life according to an inherent human nature. It can be contrasted with man-made, or judicial law, which may change over time, despite the frequent claim that natural law is immutable, often tying it to particular religious beliefs.
  • Deontology: Deontology holds that the most important aspects of our lives are governed by certain unbreakable moral rules. Deontologists hold that these rules may not be broken, even if it may improve. The famous philosopher, Immanuel Kant is often identified with this theory. One example of a list of "unbreakable" rules is the Ten Commandments .
  • Utilitarianism: One of the more functional and commonly used theories, utilitarianism, sometimes called consequential ism or teleology, basically promotes good or valued ends, rather than using the right means. This theory instructs adherents to work for those outcomes that will give the most advantage to the majority of those affected in the most impartial way possible. It is often advocated as the basis for broad social policies.
  • Virtue theory: The virtue theory asks what a "good person" would do in specific real-life situations. This recently revived theory stems from the character traits discussed by Aristotle, Plato , and Thomas Aquinas. They discuss such timeless and cross-cultural virtues as courage, temperance, wisdom, justice, faith, and charity.