Portfolio- Section A

Section A- 2 theories and 1 citizenship 

Deontological theory is a normative theory and the word deontology is derived from Greek word “deon”. which translates to ‘one must’. Deontology is also referred to as duty-based ethics. It is an approach to ethics that addresses whether the motives behind certain actions are right or wrong instead of focusing on whether the results of the action are right or wrong. It is based on each individual’s duty or obligation towards each other, all living things, and the environment based on moral beliefs and values. It teaches about always acting in good faith and adheres to the Golden Rule to treat others the way you want to be treated by them.

 For example, an accounts payable clerk is responsible for reviewing invoices and financial reports, such as expense reports, to ensure that they follow and conform to policy and then issuing prompt payment. If the company policy required original receipts to justify the items on the expense report, and the employee submitted only photocopies, a clerk with a deontological ethic may decline the report and require the originals to be re submitted. This clerk behaves in this manner because he believes that he has a duty to follow the full and literal policy that the employer has provided to him. He follows this ethic whether the need for originals instead of copies made any difference in the end results. This accounts payable clerk could have saved the company from paying out more than was necessary thus saving the company money.

Besides, Teleology theory is referred to as results-oriented ethics. It focuses on the purpose of each action and whether there is an intention or meaning for the action. It deals with the consequences of an action. It involves examining past experiences in order to figure out the results of present actions. An example of which is utilitarianism which is also referred to as the greatest happiness principle. It measures how much overall pleasure can be derived from a certain action and how much pain is averted. While deontology is based on man’s absolute duty towards mankind and how it is given priority over results, teleology is based on the results of an action and on whether an action produces greater happiness and less pain.

For example, animal testing is an good example. The moral choice here is to put an animal through pain, or to not. Basically, the reasoning behind defending animal testing in say, a shampoo factory, is that it's for the greater good- if the animal gets hurt now, then we are saved later on. This is teleological because the moral choice was decided upon the probability of a good outcome: the animal is tested upon, we get shampoo. A consequentialist action is one where the being pursues an action because it is right, and is thus rewarded with a positive outcome. In the shampoo scenario, a person may avoid animal testing, and be thus rewarded with a nice shampoo bar from Lush. 

Moreover, social right encompasses a “whole range” of rights, says Marshall, from “a modicum of welfare and security to the right to share to the full in the social heritage and live the life of a civilized being according to the standards prevailing in society.” These rights find their institutional home in what, with some variation, has now been characterized as a welfare state. Social rights mitigate inequalities generated by market economies without abolishing markets.

 For example, in Scandinavia, it is now customary to have several mechanisms that help women live the life of men. This has also signified changes in reality. Women work like men, their education is in general better than that of men and Finland is perhaps the only country in Europe where women with small children work full time (which does not mean that domestic work is in any way less demanding than elsewhere, as men's de facto responsibility for house work has not significantly increased). Estimated by such indicators as integration in labour force and education, equality is well advanced, but problems are still great as concerns.