Ethics Theories Table Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics Theories Table - Essay Example An employee entrusted with funds by his or her corporation is dutybound to account for these funds and remit the balance, if any. Even though this honesty may deprive him of certain material comforts, i.e., the extra money if unremitted could have bought him or her a new car, duty-based ethics prescribes that he or she should return the money. The classic goal-based theory is utilitarianism. Jeremy Bentham presented one of the earliest fully developed systems of utilitarianism. Two features of his theory are noteworty. First, Bentham proposed that we tally the consequences of each action we perform and thereby determine on a case by case basis whether an action is morally right or wrong. This aspect of Bentham's theory is known as act-utilitiarianism. Second, Bentham also proposed that we tally the pleasure and pain which results from our actions. For Bentham, pleasure and pain are the only consequences that matter in determining whether our conduct is moral. This aspect of Bentham's theory is known as hedonistic utilitarianism. An employee should strive to get a promotion at all costs as this will benefit him, even at the expense of co-employees and even if there would be a violation of a moral duty in the process. For example, the moral duty to give credit where credit is due after a successful project. The most influe

Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and Coursework

Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. Evaluate this statement in two areas of knowledge - Coursework Example It is this process of creating and examining ideas that validates knowledge. It is, therefore, essential to discuss the works of certain philosophers in order to prop the main argument. Thereafter, daily life instances can be evaluated to bring to light the link between creative thinking and knowledge. The two fields of knowledge that would come into consideration are mathematics and ethics. To begin with, Rene Descartes epistemological theory comes into practice. In his discourse theory, Descartes strives to arrive at true knowledge. True knowledge, in this instance, suggests knowledge that cannot be subjected to any skepticism. To begin with his discourse, he subjects all previous knowledge to doubt (Timmons and Shoemaker 284). Thereafter, he strives to affirm whether such knowledge is credible. Skepticism forms an indispensable core of critical thinking. Rene Descartes finds that almost all of preexisting knowledge, with exception of mathematical principles, is liable to doubt (Timmons and Shoemaker 284). He arrives at one single idea that the only thing he cannot question its existence is his very existence. The argument he relays for the proof of his existence is the idea that he thinks. This is because doubt is a form of thought and, therefore, the doubting being is him. The only knowledge that is free from doubt is that he thinks. According to him, thinking becom es the item of which he is immediately aware. Apart from this argument, Rene Descartes proved the shortcoming of senses in finding and examining knowledge. In proof of his claim, he uses the example of wax to illustrate the unreliability of senses as a guide to knowledge. He considers characteristics like color, texture and smell to be deceiving. When he watches wax from various directions, he records different data about it. He dismisses senses as to rely on sensations to achieve their effect. Sensations are pre-established notions about the appearance of objects. He, then, asserts