Ethical Relativism

• Ethical relativism is based on the concept that different cultures have different evaluations of right and wrong. An adherent of such a belief system would likely withhold passing judgment on other cultures. While some ethical relativists would contend that there are no universal ethics, others may say that nearly all cultures have some basic common standards for right and wrong, such as an abhorrence for the killing of innocent people.
  
  

Utilitarianism

• Based primarily on concepts developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism states that decisions should be made to maximize good and minimize evil. If an individual is faced with a decision, she should consider the consequences to everyone involved and choose the action that will result in the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. One difficulty with this line of reasoning is that consequences are not always easy to discern ahead of time.
  
  

Deontology

• A deontological approach to ethics focuses on the duty and responsibilities that people derive from the roles they play in life. Immanuel Kant outlined his categorical imperative as an ethical assessment to be used in this line of thinking. Although having many facets, the basic components of this theory are twofold. First, you should only act in a way that you could accept if your actions became a universal law that everyone must follow. Second, you should always treat yourself and others as an end, not simply as a means, thereby showing respect for humanity.
  
  

Divine Command Theory

• The divine command theory, unlike few other ethical theories, makes an appeal to a universal law. This theory states that right and wrong are based on God's law or the law of a higher power. One philosophical problem that has long existed is a question of ultimate authority. Does God simply favor what is good or are things good because God favors them? Perhaps a seemingly strange query, it begs the question as to whether or not there is an even higher standard that God aligns with or if God alone is the determinant of good. Such questions continue to be the topic of debate.