Ethical Theories

In the Dilemma in my previous blog I decided it would be the right thing to do to keep the cheating quiet and to just deal with your own problems, this situation can be debated extensively on what is right and what is wrong; or what one should do compared to what they would do. I do believe that in this case I made the right decision, for yes you may help the teacher if you inform them there is some cheating taking place in the class, but is not another students obligation to take care of other students but to worry about themselves and their futures. Three main theories or approaches to ethics have been derived including consequentaialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Consequetaialism refers to morally ethic decisions that focus on the outcome or consequence of the decision made. This does somewaht apply for this dilems for one must consider whether to make the decision that has the best outcome for themselves; maybe telling the teacher and sucking up to that teacher to get a better mark; or looking at the other outcomes with not telling the teacher. Deontology refers to the rightness or wrongness of the actual act in the dilema. I don't believe deontology is used as much in this particular dilema, for the decision does not present terrible consequences for you if either decision is made. Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the decision and the individual making the decision. I believe virtue ethics should be the most heavily weighted theory in this decision, for the decision made will definately depend on the type of person making the decision and this character of this decision where it does not effect many people to an extreme extent weighs heavily on why and what the individual will decide. In this dilemma looking at the best scenerio, by looking out for yourself and your best interest is the way to guide your decision.

And that's my thoughts;
TINK