Final answer:
Doctrine emphasizes the outcomes or consequences of an action. Ethical theories can be broadly categorized as consequentialist, deontological, or virtue-based, each focusing on different aspects of moral decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
Doctrine focuses on the effects in a particular action, which means it is concerned with the results and consequences that arise from an action. When we talk about moral doctrines and ethical theories, it's crucial to understand that different philosophical approaches prioritize different aspects of moral decision-making. These can be classified into three broad categories:
- Consequentialism considers the moral worth of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.
- Deontological ethics focuses on duty and the intrinsic morality of an action itself, regardless of the action's outcome.
- Virtue ethics argue that right action flows from right character, which is more concerned with the qualities of the person performing the act rather than the act itself.
Each of these approaches provides a unique framework for evaluating moral conduct, whether it be the effects (as in consequentialism), the duties and intentions (as in deontology), or the character of the individual (as in virtue ethics).