A physician running a busy practice makes decisions for his employees on a regular basis. The physician would describe himself as "moral man with common sense, a sense of justice, and courage who makes the right decisions in life by focusing on these moral traits." What theory of decision making is being employed by this physician?

Question

A. deontological
B. utilitarian
C. virtue ethics
D. consequence-oriented theory
E. duty-oriented theory

Answer 1

C. virtue ethics

Rather than focusing on decision making or reasoning to arrive at a right action, virtue ethics focuses on the traits, characteristics, and virtues that a moral person should have. Virtue ethicists believe that someone who has appropriate moral virtues such as practical wisdom (common sense), a sense of justice, and courage will make the right decision. Deontological or duty-oriented theory focuses on the essential rightness or wrongness of an act, not the consequences of the act. Utilitarianism is consequence-oriented theory that states that decisions should be made by determining what results will produce the best outcome for the most people.