Engineering Ethics Theory
A hybrid theory allows for the best of the existing theories to come together and form a theory that comprises of the most important provisions of the ethical theories. The hybrid theory utilizes three different theories namely utilitarianism, respect for persons and the virtue ethics. The approaches that apply in forming the hybrid theory enable one to practice the best of the three approaches.
It is important to focus on the best qualities of each theory if the hybrid theory is to be comprehensive and applicable in all situations. The hybrid theory first entails the definition of good in the eyes of the doer of the action and that of the receiver. It is important for parties involved in any action to have a mutual understanding of what good is. This is where the approach of virtue comes into play. The virtue ethics demands that a person needs to do actions in good faith in order to display good moral virtues.
It is not all about pretending to act in a good way, but it requires the person to portray good moral values. The utilitarian theory entails doing actions that can help a person increase their happiness and at the same time reduce the suffering of others. This is maximizing utility and determining the outcomes of one’s behaviors. The two theories have the same basis, because both of them advocate for good deeds that benefit the doer and the receiver of the actions. The theory of the respect for person is another approach that plays a key role in developing the hybrid theory on ethics.
The principles of this theory lies in the fact that a person has the right to autonomy should make independent decisions (Thomas & Harker, 2010). The person who lacks this right need to enjoy protection and guidance that will protect him or her from any form of harm. It is therefore, important to integrate the three main principles into a major one. The need for autonomy in making decisions is needed for any human being, but it is important to consider the effects a person’s actions affect others (Athanassoulis, 2013). A person needs to make sure that the things he or she does are in accordance to the principles of respect and results in happiness for those around him or her. This way the person can make sure that, he or she uses his actions to make others happy while at the same time respecting his autonomy of those around him or her.
This way the actions of people will focus on doing the right thing based on moral virtues for the benefit of others. The person acting on certain instincts need to ask himself or herself why he or she is doing that particular actions and the effects it has on the people around him. If one considers this every time they act, then the three approaches will have been used at the same time. The three principles of the utilitarian theory, respect for persons, the virtue ethics will have equal authority, and each of them contributes equally to the hybrid. There is no principle approach that will have more weight than the other one (Scarre, 2002). The question that may arise on how the hybrid approach plans to utilize the three different approaches used in the ethic theories.
The hybrid theory picks the best values from the three approaches and them uses it to come up with a single theory that entails the practices important in making those around you happy and acting on the best interests of others. The person using the hybrid theory needs to understand that acting on one theory does not guarantee the best actions. The hybrid approach is superior to the three individual theories because it entails doing the three principle acts of the different theories in a single act. This way the people will coexist in a peaceful environment where they do not have to follow three different guides to act in a good manner.
