Moral Theory Essay

In this essay, I will explain three normative theories of ethics: ethical egoism,
utilitarianism, and Kant’s means-ends principle. Next, I will apply each theory to evaluate a
moral scenario. Finally, I will analyze the effectiveness of each theory in justifying a moral
decision.
Ethical egoism is the idea that the right action is the one that promotes one’s own best
interest in any given situation (Vaughn, 2019). This is a provocative idea because it forces us
to confront two opposing attitudes we often harbor. On the one hand, we tend to view
flagrantly self-interested behavior as wicked or at least uncomfortable. On the other hand, we
sometimes want to look out for our own desires and needs.
As an application of ethical egoism, I have often found myself torn between
financially helping a person in need, usually a friend or a family member, and not helping
them because I do not have enough money to meet my needs in the first place.
I believe that despite the difficulty inherent in decisions about when and whether to
put others or ourselves first, ethical egoism represents a useful tool in evaluating and
justifying such decisions. The notion of act-egoism – the idea that to determine the right
action, we must apply the egoistic principle to individual situations – is especially appealing.
Seemingly opposed to ethical egoism is the theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is
the idea that whether an action is right or wrong depends on the overall utility (or goodness)
of the action (Vaughn, 2019). Thus, while a person’s action may be harmful to another
person, the action is still right if it is beneficial to other people.
As an example of an application of utilitarianism, let us consider one of the ways
universities and colleges responded to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic: by moving all

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teaching and learning online. While some students may have been disadvantaged by the
move, say because they had no reliable access to the Internet, in utilitarian terms, the move
was right because it benefitted most students.
While I find ethical egoism appealing, I find utilitarianism even more appealing as a
tool for evaluating and justifying ethical decisions. As a fact, if I found myself in a situation
in which I had to make a decision that would benefit many while harming a few, I would go
ahead and make the decision.
Even more profound than the preceding two theories is Kant’s means-ends principle.
This rule states that, at all times, we must treat people (ourselves included) as ends in
themselves; that is, as creatures of great intrinsic value, never merely as tools to be employed
for someone else’s aims or as things of instrumental value (Vaughn, 2019) .
I could and should apply Kant’s ends-means principle in the ways I relate with the
different people in my life: family members, friends, classmates, colleagues, and so on. I
must treat everyone with respect and dignity because of their intrinsic value as rational beings
with free will. I must never use anyone to accomplish my purposes because doing so is
unethical.
Kant’s ends-means principle, I believe, offers the best ethical compass because it
touches the heart of human interactions: our attitudes towards the people in our lives. If I
view people the right way – as ends in themselves – I will have no difficulty applying ethical
egoism or utilitarianism.

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Reference

Vaughn, L. (2019). Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning, Theory, and Contemporary Issues (5 th
ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.