Utilitarianism focuses on actions that decrease the chances of becoming ill, while deontology emphasizes doing the right thing for the right reasons. The choice between these ethical perspectives depends on individual beliefs and values.
Pandemic Responses from Utilitarian and Deontological Ethics
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical principle that focuses on the totality of consequences. From the view of those at risk of catching the virus, five actions that would decrease their chances of becoming ill are:
Wearing face masks in public
Practicing regular hand hygiene
Maintaining social distancing
Getting vaccinated
Following quarantine guidelines when exposed to the virus
On the other hand, deontology is a duty-based ethical principle that emphasizes doing the right thing for the right reasons. From the view of those tasked with deciding what actions to order, the right and moral thing to do would involve:
Implementing evidence-based public health measures
Providing accurate and transparent information to the public
In terms of which ethical perspective makes the most sense, it depends on individual beliefs and values. Some may prioritize the overall outcome and c