Types of Moral Theories

Have you ever wondered how humans determine right from wrong? The question of how best to lead a moral life, and how the word "morality" can be best defined, is one of the foundational questions of philosophy. Moral philosophy (or ethics) has, over the years, dictated numerous theories designed to help people make the best moral decisions. These theories often come into conflict with each other, however, and a firm grasp of their basic differences is essential for those who want to study moral theories such as human rights and ethics.

Similar to ethical theories, moral theories use moral reasoning to determine actions and consequences of those actions in different settings. Other examples not included in this article are consequentialist theories, deontological theories, intuitions, metaethics, applied ethics, normative ethics, virtue theory, theory of justice and practical reason for human beings and their actions. Many of these moral theories include teleological and moral obligation, moral norms, moral duties, right action, character traits, moral principles, moral rules, decision making and courses of action to determine the best consequences.

Utilitarianism: A Theory of Consequences

Utilitarianism, first popularized by British philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 19th century, is a theory that holds that the best way to make a moral decision is to look at the potential consequences of each available choice; then, one should pick the option that either does the most to increase happiness or does the least to increase suffering. Utilitarianism, also known as consequentialism, is often summed up as a philosophy of "The greatest good for the greatest number." This theory is different from rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism.

Deontology: A Duty-Based Moral Philosophy

Deontology is a duty-based moral theory. Deontologists state that society needs rules in order to function and a person can only be called moral to the extent that he abides by those rules. The most famous and eloquent exponent of deontology is generally agreed to be Immanuel Kant. Kant coined the following maxim, known as the Categorical Imperative, to help people decide which actions should be governed by rules: "Act only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it would become a universal law." In other words, people should only do things that they would be happy to see everyone do. For example, people shouldn't lie because if everyone lied all the time then society would collapse.

Relativism: A Theory Based on Experiences

Moral relativism is a theory which states that no one person's morals are better or worse than any other. Relativists argue that a person's moral code is shaped by the society in which he is raised as well as their culture, and it states that no society is inherently better or worse than any other. Relativism is a moral philosophy that could, therefore, be different depending on where you grow up, and what may be right in your society, could be very wrong in another person's society.

Divine Command Theory: A Higher Power

Divine command theory states that God is the ultimate arbiter of what constitutes morality, and that without God we have no clear way of telling right from wrong. Divine command theorists, therefore, believe that the best way to live a moral life is to act in accordance with Scripture. It does not matter what's considered good or bad, but simply what God commands. Those who believe in this theory generally look to the Bible, a religious leader or someone they have considered to be a prophet in order to make their judgments. This is one of the most controversial moral theories.

Virtue Ethics: Always Improve Yourself

Virtue ethics states that only good people can make good moral decisions. Therefore, the best way to be moral is to constantly seek to improve oneself. Virtue ethicists list a number of qualities that they believe are universal, and that all cultures appreciate. They include wisdom, prudence, loyalty, honesty, temperance, bravery, magnanimity, and justice. Virtue ethicists argue that if a person tries his best to embody these traits, then by definition he will always be in a good position to make moral judgments. A virtuous person has a different point of view about actions and consequences, looking at their human life.

Egoism: A Theory Based on Self-Interest

Egoism is a moral philosophy that holds that the best way for one to be morally good is to act in accordance with one's self-interest. Egoists hold that we are only really qualified to consider our own well-being, and that attempts to "Be one's brother's keeper" are doomed to fail because we can never really know what our peers actually want. Egoists also believe that if everyone acts in their own self-interest, then society is more likely to solve moral dilemmas to the satisfaction of all parties, thereby maximizing overall happiness.

Natural Rights Theory: Human Rights

Natural rights theorists, or human rights theorists, believe that every person is endowed with certain inalienable rights, such as the right to life, the right to own property, and the right to liberty. Natural rights theorists argue that these rights are self-evident, and would exist even if nobody believed in them. The reason that natural rights theorists hold these rights as self-evident is that they are essential to the flourishing of human happiness and the foundation of civil society. For example, they argue that without the right to own property, there is no incentive to create property and therefore society cannot advance. Based on this theory, human rights are vital to the future of society.