Ethics

Virtue refers to a behavior showing high moral standards as well as a pattern of thoughts and behavior based on high moral standards. Each person may have his/her own set of values, contributing to his or her system of beliefs, ideas, as well as opinions.

Virtue/values gauge how an individual reacts and interacts with others.

Utilitarianism is a moral principle holding the morally-right course of action in a given situation; this action produces a greater benefit, over harm, for everyone affected by this action or decision ( Andre, 2010).

Utilitarianism creates/produces the maximum benefit for all involved; in addition, if the benefits are produced by manipulation or lies, is not a concern for a utilitarianism, the greater good for all involved is the goal.

Deontological ethics is an approach to ethics, which judges morality based on the action's adhesion to a rule/rules ( Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2007). Deontologists observe rules, duties, as well as obligations in accordance to human nature, human reason, or the nature of human action; Deontology is a moral realist theory.

While all theories focus on what is right and wrong, virtue ethics concentrate on becoming good by pursuing what is good.

Utilitarianism suggests that an action is morally right, when that action produces more benefit than harm for a group, while deontologists act upon rules and regulation that govern society's morals.

References:

Alexander, Larry and Moore, Michael, "Deontological Ethics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta. http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2008/entries/ethics-deontological

Andre, C. (2010). Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics. Santa Clara University. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v2n1/calculating.html