In Professor Ronald F. White’s excerpt entitled, “Moral Inquiry”, White presents a magnified look at the diverse layers of moral theories. He analyzes ethical decisions, followed by the thought process that we as humans indulge in daily. Through his plethora of examples, he paints the picture of three, contrasting, and vital principles of moral theories. Notwithstanding, teleological, deontological, and virtue-based theories all assert in the belief of “what is good, why it is good, and where it is good” (280). White states that each principle often addresses these inquests divergently. Initially, Ronald F. White begins with his interpretation of teleological ethical theories. White states that through teleological inquiry, consequently,
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Therefore, morality is based on the completion of moral obligations or services. These services are usually correlated with the obedience of”absolute moral rules”( 281). The ethical-ness of a moral rule does not depend on the outcomes or consequences as practiced in theological theory, but through deontological theory, “ human beings are morally required to do(or not to do) certain acts in order to uphold a rule or law.” (281) . Professor White utilizes slavery as an example. Obviously, from the perspective of a teleological thinker, slavery presents itself to be a great economic opportunity. In contrast, deontological thinkers contend that “even if the American government conducted a detailed cost/benefit analysis of slavery and decided that it created more pleasure in society than pain, it would still be wrong.” (281). Wright furthers this standpoint stating that morals, through a deontological view, are based on whether or not a human’s actions collide with moral rules, and the reason behind those actions. In that event, slavery is immoral, not because of the adverse outcome, but because it disregards an absolute moral rule
Therefore, morality is based on the completion of moral obligations or services. These services are usually correlated with the obedience of”absolute moral rules”( 281). The ethical-ness of a moral rule does not depend on the outcomes or consequences as practiced in theological theory, but through deontological theory, “ human beings are morally required to do(or not to do) certain acts in order to uphold a rule or law.” (281) . Professor White utilizes slavery as an example. Obviously, from the perspective of a teleological thinker, slavery presents itself to be a great economic opportunity. In contrast, deontological thinkers contend that “even if the American government conducted a detailed cost/benefit analysis of slavery and decided that it created more pleasure in society than pain, it would still be wrong.” (281). Wright furthers this standpoint stating that morals, through a deontological view, are based on whether or not a human’s actions collide with moral rules, and the reason behind those actions. In that event, slavery is immoral, not because of the adverse outcome, but because it disregards an absolute moral rule