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Social Sciences
There are several views discussed in this module regarding social sciences. Some of these views are Virtue Ethics and Utilitarianism. Virtue Ethics is a theory of ethics in moral philosophy which emphasizes on the role of character and virtues in decision making regardless of one’s duty or the pursuit to bring good results. On the other hand, the Utilitarianism theory of ethics argues that an action is considered to be right if the results of the action are best.
Virtue Ethics tends to find the moral values of the persons in consideration with his/her definite action rather than the outcomes of the action. The theory propagates that one does the best thing as per his/her moral virtues. In this, Aristotle argues that a happy person will act well as he claims that “happiness is self-sufficient and complete,” (Utah Valley University 10). Aristotle argues that acting well may not be a reason for happiness but being happy may result in acting well. Utilitarianism is flexible as the victim is flexible to make a choice of the action with the best result to his or her advantage. This concurs with what John Stuart Mill said regarding moral ethics. He said that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce reverse of happiness,” (Bennett 3). John was basically saying that people’s actions are majorly aimed at resulting in happiness and to their own good.
In the given scenario, according to virtue ethics, I would prefer leaving for the other lifeboat with the empty seat as it does not leak. This is because in this situation, I’m desperate, and desperate moments call for desperate decisions. It is important to note that I might not be able to act well in this situation, which calls for my life. I might not consider the other nine people in the boat even if it will sink after leaving. However, according to Utilitarianism, I may consider not leaving for the other boat. This is because staying in the will save the other nine people, which will be the best decision.
In conclusion, we can note that virtue ethics is, most of the times, self-centered regardless of the results of the action. Utilitarianism propagates for the decision that has more advantages and the best positive result.
Works Cited
Bennett, J. (2017). Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill’s “The Role of Happiness in Ethics.” Pp. 1-40.
Utah Valley University. (2020). Introduction to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Pp. 3-36.