Q2. Discuss any three models of Ethics?
Answers
Answer:
There are generally three philosophical approaches, or what may be considered the science, to ethical reasoning:
1. Utilitarian Ethics
2. Deontological Ethics
3. Virtue Ethics
Explanation:
Utilitarian Ethics
The first ethical system in normative ethics, utilitarianism, is often equated with the concept of “the greatest good for the greatest number.” The idea is that ethical decisions are made based on the consequences of the action, which is why it is also sometimes called consequentialism.
Three main concerns seem to arise when public relations professionals rely on utilitarian ethics to make decisions.
First, rather than looking at the choice or action itself, decision-makers are forced to guess the potential outcomes of their choice to determine what is ethical.
Second, utilitarian ethics also “presents questions of conflict concerning which segment of society should be considered most important” in weighing the “good” or outcome.
The third objection is that it is not always possible to predict the outcome of an action.
Deontological Ethics
The idea is that “human beings should be treated with dignity and respect because they have rights.” Put another way, it could be argued that in deontological ethics “people have to respect other people’s rights and treat them accordingly.”
The core concept behind this is that there are objective obligations, or duties, that are required of all people. When faced with an ethical situation, then, the process is simply one of identifying one’s duty and making the appropriate decision.
The challenges to this perspective, however, include 1) conflicts that arise when there is not an agreement about the principles involved in the decision; 2) the implications of making a “right” choice that has bad consequences; and 3) what decisions should be made when duties conflict. These challenges should be considered when relying on this as an ethical system.
Virtue Ethics
Finally, a third and growing area of philosophical reasoning with ethics is known as virtue ethics, one that has gained more attention in public relations scholarship in recent years. This philosophy stems from Aristotle and is based on the virtues of the person making a decision.
Virtue ethics require the decision-maker to understand what virtues are good for public relations and then decisions are made in light of those particular virtues.
These three theories of ethics (utilitarian ethics, deontological ethics, virtue ethics) form the foundation of normative ethics conversations.
It is important, however, that public relations professionals also understand how to apply these concepts to the actual practice of the profession. The ethical discussion that focuses on how a professional makes decisions, known as applied ethics, is heavily influenced by the role or purpose of the profession within society.
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I HOPE THIS HELPS. \(￣︶￣*\))