What is Ethical Reasoning? What Are Ethical Egoism and Utilitarianism?

There are many kinds of ethical reasoning theories, like those of utilitarianism, egoism, deontology, relativism, or justice theories. While all of these (except relativism) believe that there are morals that do not change, individuals decide what to do in very different ways.

Utilitarianism, founded by John Stuart Mill, basically promotes the idea that actions are judged right or wrong according to the amount of happiness that comes from those decisions. However, happiness is not defined in terms of the person making the decision. Happiness means for the good of all, which is not necessarily the way many people define it today. Using Utilitarianism, an individual would make decisions according to which one would provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Of course, there are criticisms. One is that this theory may force an individual to do something against his/her own morals. For example, if a man is a victim in a bank robbery and has a gun, he should shoot the robber because that would provide the greatest good. However, this man may be against killing. This would be the "least bad" solution, but not necessarily a good solution. Some would also say that it requires too much of the human being to always have to be concerned with the common good. Others would say that the rights of those in the minority are always pushed aside with this theory.

Egoism is another form of ethical reasoning. Egoism, practiced by Milton Friedman and Adam smith, defines right and wrong in kind of an opposite way. In egoism, the way to define right vs. wrong is by the consequences to self. This theory would have us choose solely on the basis of self-interest. One major criticism is that it would lead to illegal and/or unethical behavior. Another criticism is that one person pursuing self-interest might directly come in conflict with another person. For example, if I have a rich relative, it might be in my best interest to kill him/her, but it would certainly not be in his/her best interest to die.

Other theories of ethical reasoning are deontology, justice, and relativism. Deontology, linked with Immanuel Kant, is where each person is treated with the same level of concern and intentions of people are considered. Justice is, of course, treating each person with fairness according to standards. Relativism is the only one of these ethical theories in which the principles of morality change. Relativism means there is no right or wrong; right or wrong must be determined by time and culture. So, what is deemed right in some societies in some time periods might be completely wrong in others.

Ethical reasoning is an interesting field with many theories. Lives are lived by these theories. Each one has characteristics, and each one has flaws. Personally, I don't find myself drawn to any of them, although I believe as a society, we tend to move more and more toward relativism all the time.