Essay Undergraduate 780 words

Four Major Ethical Theories: Kant, Utilitarian, Aristotle, Confucius

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Abstract

This paper reviews four foundational ethical theories through the lens of illustrative video examples, examining how each framework approaches moral decision-making. The theories discussed are Kant's categorical imperative, Utilitarian consequentialism as developed by Bentham and Mill, Aristotle's virtue ethics with its doctrine of the mean, and Confucian humanism and social morality. The paper aims to help readers understand and distinguish between moral, ethical, values-based, and legal issues by exploring how each philosophy responds to practical dilemmas. The discussion concludes that while the four approaches differ in method and emphasis, they often converge on similar ethical answers in practice.

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What makes this paper effective

It presents four distinct ethical traditions in a parallel structure, making comparison intuitive and clear for readers new to moral philosophy.
The paper grounds abstract theory in concrete examples — such as the axe murderer dilemma for Kant and the courageous person analogy for Aristotle — helping readers connect philosophy to real-world situations.
The conclusion honestly acknowledges the limits of the approaches while noting their practical convergence, avoiding oversimplification.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates comparative theoretical analysis: each section isolates a single ethical framework, states its core principle, applies it to an illustrative scenario, and identifies its scope and limitations. This technique is especially useful in philosophy and ethics courses where students must show they can both explain and apply competing theories.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a brief framing introduction, then devotes one section each to Kant, Utilitarianism, Aristotle, and Confucius in roughly equal depth. A short concluding paragraph synthesizes the discussion, noting that despite their differences the four frameworks frequently reach similar ethical conclusions. References follow in APA format. Total length is concise — appropriate for a short comparative essay at the undergraduate introductory level.

Introduction

This paper reviews four major ethical approaches drawn from illustrative video examples, with each section explaining a particular ethical framework using relevant scenarios. The four approaches examined are Kant's categorical imperative, Utilitarian ethics, Aristotle's virtue ethics, and Confucian ethics. By the end of this discussion, the reader should be able to understand and distinguish between moral, ethical, values-based, and legal issues.

Kantian Ethics and the Categorical Imperative

According to Kant, morality is based on a standard of reasonableness known as the categorical imperative; thus, immorality is the violation of the categorical imperative (Aune, 1979). Kant also claims that in order to be moral, a person must uphold the truth in whatever situation they face. However, a scenario in which an individual's family is being sought by a murderer may challenge one's acceptance of Kant's philosophy. Kant asserts that the individual is still obligated to speak the truth, which according to him is a fundamental moral principle. Personal views that may be considered moral and consistent with Kant's position are therefore considered here to help illuminate the moral possibilities the scenario presents.

From the scenario, there are several ways the threat of an axe murderer can be addressed without violating the categorical imperative. The individual can lock the door and call the police without lying to the murderer; they can act in self-defense without lying to him; or they can take the children and flee without making a false statement. The major point demonstrated is that everyone should follow the categorical imperative consistently in order to prevent situations like the one described.

According to the Utilitarian principle, the moral value of an action is determined solely by its resulting outcome — the end justifies the means. This theory, proposed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, holds that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility by increasing happiness and reducing suffering. Additionally, Utilitarianism moves beyond the scope of an individual's own interests and takes other individuals' interests into account.

Utilitarian Ethics and the Greatest Good

Utilitarian teachings are applicable to both particular actions and general rules. When applied to particular actions, the right act is the one that brings about the best results, and it is possible to justify otherwise immoral acts using this method (Bentham, 2009). When applied to general rules, the framework considers the consequences of living in a world where people break promises at will versus one in which promises are treated as binding obligations.

2 Locked Sections · 245 words remaining

Aristotle's Virtue Ethics and the Doctrine of the Mean · 140 words

"Virtue as balance between excess and deficiency"

Confucian Ethics and Humanism · 105 words

"Confucius on morality, relationships, and the Golden Rule"

Conclusion

The above approaches are essential in gauging standards of behavior considered ethical. However, the approaches do not satisfactorily illuminate the full meaning of ethical activity; rather, they discuss vital information necessary for determining the right course of action in particular circumstances. Despite their differences in method and emphasis, the approaches frequently lead to the same answers.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Categorical Imperative Virtue Ethics Utilitarianism Confucianism Moral Reasoning Golden Rule Doctrine of the Mean Ethical Frameworks Humanism Consequentialism