Succeeding in life require human beings to have a moral stand and adhere to moral principles by basically doing good and avoiding evil. Different moral theories explain the moral concept and human behavior. Among them are deontology ethics and Aristotle’s moral theory. Kantian deontology theory of ethics explains that human beings are obligated to moral behaviors in reference to set rules and principles regardless of outcomes. On the other side, Aristotle’s moral theory explains that human beings should act in a moral way through learning practical discipline rather than relying on theoretical teachings. With the help of a contemporary moral issue of abortion, deontology virtue of ethics and Aristotle’s moral theory will offer a guideline on how human beings should conduct themselves in the social world.
Abortion is pregnancy ending or terminating an embryo’s life before the foetus can survive independently outside the uterus. It is done for medical reasons or voluntarily when one feels she is not ready for a child. For the one done for medical reasons, moral issues may not arise. However, it concerns the moral obligation when a mother decides to terminate the pregnancy for other reasons. It is a contemporary moral issue that requires human beings to make an ethical decision on whether to do it or not to depend on the circumstances. Approaching the issue from Kantian virtue of ethics, humans should behave in a moral way on the basis of an existing set role (Wilson & Denis, 2018). For instance, Christians conduct themselves in an ethical way basing their actions on the biblical teachings. The rules set for the Christians are outlined in the Ten Commandments outlining dos and do not dos. On the issue of abortion, the theory defines that human beings should practice abortion depending on the set rules in the constitution, religious readings, or the code of conduct in a place of work. For instance, in the Ten Commandments, the Bible restricts Christians against killing. Since abortion is killing, Christian should not practice it. It is unethical and against their moral beliefs. From a legal view, the constitution prevents people of some states against committing the act while it is allowed in other states. In the states where it is legalized, it is not a crime or unethical. Citizens can do it without feeling that they are violating any moral issues. It implies that from deontology theory reflection, an action can be unethical to a given group or an individual and still be the right thing to another person. However, moral concepts refer to their own individual principle regarding right and wrong. It implies that even when allowed by the law if the personal principles define it as wrong, it is unethical.
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Aristotle’s moral theory requires human beings to have practical knowledge through trial and error in determining what is wrong and what is right. The theory requires people to learn from their mistakes and personal experiences (Anthony, 2018). From the theory’s angle of approach, the answer on whether to practice abortion or not should be left on individuals to learn through practical experience. People should be allowed to do it and learn from the outcomes on whether it is right to practice it. In the case of abortion, learning from practical may be dangerous and even deny the victim a chance to learn from experience due to death of complications. Therefore, at this point, people can learn from mistakes done by others as well as the merits they acquire from practicing the act.
Kantian theory of ethics and Aristotle’s moral theory focus on the same objective of promoting upright morals in society. The concepts diverge in the point that the end result is having good and ethical practices in society. Deontology virtue of ethics requires human to follow the set rules and behave in a morally upright moral towards others. Similarly, Aristotle’s moral concept requires people to learn from their mistake and thereafter avoid repeating the mistake but instead behave in a morally upright manner to avoid hurting others and themselves.
Deontology and Aristotle’s perspectives diverge in addressing the issue of whether abortion is moral or immoral. Kantian virtue of ethics requires human beings to stand on the set rules and reject to accept abortion without having second thoughts. The theory focuses on believing in the decisions made in history and agreeing to them without addressing the issue from a different angle or even trying the opposite. It is contrary to the provision of Aristotle’s moral theory that allows members of the general public to freely practice abortion, get the experience, and judge whether it is right or wrong (Pavlos, 2013). The difference occurs in that Aristotle’s theory allows people to experiment and make individual decisions hence eliminating the universal principle of determining what is wrong and what is right.
In conclusion, there are a number of contemporary moral issues that affect society. People make decisions on whether to address the matters depending on different angles of approach. Among them is the application of deontology virtue of ethics that requires them to take a stand against some issues and accept others in reference to set rules and regulations such as the biblical teachings. Other people in society approach contemporary moral issues from Aristotle’s moral concept theory. They learn from mistakes and positive outcomes of their actions. The key objective of the two theories is to ensure that people conduct themselves morally and avoid actions that can hurt others in society.
References
Anthony, C., (2018). Aristotle’s Ethics and Medieval Philosophy: Moral goodness and Practical Wisdom Cambridge University Press
Pavlos, K., (2013). Aristotle’s Moral Realism Considered: Phenomenological Ethics Routledge Publisher
Wilson, E., & Denis, L., (2018). Kant and Hume on Morality The Standard Encyclopedia of Phycology Stanford University Press
