Final answer:
Moral actions are judged based on consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethics criteria. Consequentialists assess the outcomes, deontologists focus on rules and duties, and virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and habits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the basis on which moral actions should be judged according to the three types of moral philosophy: consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethics. These frameworks evaluate morality from different perspectives and use distinct criteria for determining what is deemed as morally correct behavior.
Consequentialist Ethics
In consequentialist ethics, moral actions are determined by their outcomes or consequences. An action is right if it leads to the greatest good, such as happiness or social welfare.
Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics, on the other hand, is centered on duties and rules. Here, the morality of an action is determined by whether it conforms to a specific rule or duty, emphasizing adherence to moral principles.
Virtue Ethics
Finally, virtue ethics emphasizes character and the cultivation of virtuous traits. It posits that right actions flow from a virtuous character, focusing on personal development and moral habituation.