Teleological Ethical approach vs
Deontological Ethical approach, which one is right and which one is wrong? Before
giving my stance it would be better to elaborate the basic understanding about
these two concepts.
Firstly if we look at Teleological
Ethical approach, all rational human activities, according to
teleological moral theory, are teleological in the sense that we reason
about the means to achieve specific ends. As a result, moral conduct is
goal-oriented. My clothes are hanging in the courtyard and it starts hailstorm
and rain. I'm thinking about how to get the clothes inside house. I could use a
variety of techniques. Is it safe to send Ali, my oldest brother, out in the
hailstorm today? After much thought, I decided not to send him out since it is
slick and heavy hailstorm and he may get injured. How did I decide? Well, I
took into account the possible consequences. Similarly, ny friend is cheating
on her wife and she asks me about it, I lie to her to save their marriage and
relationship and tells her that he is not cheating on her, I lied which is
wrong but it brought good consequence. Teleological Ethical approach says I did
the right thing.
Now if we look at Deontological
Ethical approach, morality is defined as the performance of moral
responsibilities or duties. In the deontological approach, duties are
frequently connected with the observance of absolute moral principles. As a
result, human beings are morally obligated to perform (or refrain from
performing) particular acts in order to respect a rule or law. A moral rule's
rightness or wrongness is determined independently of its effects or the
distribution of happiness or pleasure. For example I should tell the truth even
if it hurts. If my friend’s wife asks me about his extra martial affair I
should tell her the truth because it is right to do and it is my moral duty to
tell truth.
Now if I am asked that if I shall
justify the Teleological Ethical approach over the Deontological Ethical
approach? Then my answer is no, I would not justify the Teleological Ethical
approach over the Deontological Ethical approach. As a student and practitioner
of ethics, I believe in the morality of the action. Action should be
right/good. If some wrong or unethical action brings me good results then I
shall not accept that. For me end does not justify the means that’s why I
believe in the righteousness of action even if the consequence is not good.
Deontological Ethical approach is what a society needs for mutual and long term
benefit.
Deontology focuses on the rules, or
the universal norms. A person is said to be morally right if he conforms to
these rules. For example, given a choice, a person is morally right if he
abstains from killing a person, even if killing that person could bring about
greater benefits. The highest good must be both good in itself and
good without qualification, as Kant says: “Nothing in the world, indeed nothing
even beyond the world can possibly be conceived which could be called good
without qualification except a good will.”
In deontological ethics an action is
considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself,
not because the product of the action is good. For example; lying is wrong even
if it brings good to someone or society. Teleological Ethical approach
allow lying if it is for good reason and will bring good consequence but
morally lying is wrong and can only bring good temporarily. If I know that a
husband is cheating on his wife and his wife asks me about it and I lie to her
to protect their relationship and marriage, it would seem good for instance
that I am doing it for their better future but in reality it will harm them
more specially to that woman.
Also read this
Global
Culture, Cultural Imperialismand Cultural Universals
Keywords: Teleological Ethical approach, Deontological Ethical approach, Difference between Teleological Ethical approach and Deontological Ethical approach, Ethics, Actions, Values, Norms, Consequence,