Ethics Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics Theories - Essay Example In this case, there is little question that a theft of the drug would be ethical under a teleological and utilitarian model. Depending on the ethical approach chosen, breaking into the store to steal the drug could be considered either right or wrong. As stated above, a teleological analysis would justify the action as being right due to its potential to avoid a great harm, a loss of life, at the expense of some lost profit, which surely cannot weigh as heavily. On the other hand, a more duty-based approach such as deontological would require that the morality of the act itself be considered without regard to its consequences. Deontological ethics maintains that actions themselves have intrinsic moral value, and can be inherently good or bad. Arguably, stealing is wrong even if it ends up having a positive effect, and therefore a deontological analysis would require a determination that the action is wrong. In short, the ends never justify the means under such an analysis. Notifying employees of layoffs via e-mail is the right way because of the manner in which the notification was handled in this particular case.