What is teleological ethics?

Answer 1

Ethical theories are divisible into those about persons (ethics of character or virtue or being) and those about actions (ethics of doing).

"Telos" is the Greek word for "end" or "goal." A teleological ethical theory is an ethic of doing that focuses on the ends or goals of actions; they are also called "consequentialist" theories (of which utilitarianism is an example).

By way of contrast, a deontological ethical theory is an ethic of doing that focuses on some aspect of actions other than their goals or ends, for example, the intentions from which they are done.

Answer 2

By Susan McPhail Wittjen, PT, PhD The word "teleology" is derived from the Greek word "telos" that means "ends." In this theory, you would consider the ends, or the outcomes of your decision. Since this theory is concerned about the consequences of the decision, it is also referred to as consequentialist. One of the most common branches of this theory is utilitarianism, which was discussed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 19th century. A utilitarian considers an act right if it is useful in bringing about the best consequences overall. This theory can be utilized in clinical decision-making by first identifying what the dilemma entails and several alternative choices to solve it. Next you would predict what consequences would be associated with each alternative. You would then choose the solution that you believe would bring about the best possible consequence for the situation. Remember, in this theory "the means justify the ends." NEXT

Answer 3

A teleological perspective aims at answering questions in form of what end/purpose the thing being talked about aims at, its final result.

For example, what is the teleology of war?

To defeat enemies.

Answer 4

Animal Testing- this is an interesting answer because it could not be also defined as consequential.

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.