Applying Utilitarianism, Kantian, and Virtue Ethics in Giving Money to Homeless

Analyzing an ethical situation using the moral theories: utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and virtue ethics
Name
Institution
Date
Introduction
Supposing one is trying to decide what to do and the dilemma is either trivial or not, one needs to have guiding principles to help make a healthy decision. These guiding principles are called ethics. In the case study, there is an individual who cannot decide whether he should keep his 20 dollars or give it to a homeless individual. The mystery of what human beings can do is determined when a researcher can unravel the puzzle of free will and determinism. This paper is going to look at three ethical theories which include Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Virtue theory to consider the reasons of why this individual should or should not give the money to the homeless individual he met in the streets.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a theory that educates that nature has biologically provided only objective moral values CITATION Mar163 \l 2057 (Margaret, 2016). These moral values include pleasure and pain. The central principle here is that an individual needs to choose what produces the greater good/pleasure for the more significant number. It calls that before an individual makes a decision, one must analyze the consequences or benefits of a decision to know its utility. In fact, utilitarian individuals hold that each action should be judged individually on its final result CITATION Pet12 \l 2057 (Inwagen, 2012). Rule utilitarian individuals, on the other hand, insist that each a person should decide each rule considering the results expected from everyone who observes that rule. For example, one can opt to tell a lie to save lives of many people, even though lying is not encouraged. Utilitarianism is a natural phenomenon and is based on pleasure and benefit, benefit or harm. The scholars based this theory on various principles like equalitarian which consider that everyone is equal regarding damage or interest; a democracy which holds that whatever is right will benefit many people; and that it is realistic, therefore, no religious principles or beliefs apply CITATION Ser14 \l 2057 (Cremaschi, 2014). This theory encourages people to move from totally self-centered thinking by considering the consequences of our actions and be careful that they do not affect other people negatively. Utilitarianism form of thinking has given rise to animal rights platform where there is fair-minded thinking CITATION Mar163 \l 2057 (Margaret, 2016).
Application
After thinking through this situation using the utilitarian theory, I will give the 20 dollars to the homeless individual I found on the streets considering that utilitarianism encourages common good. I can do without the 20 dollars while this money will highly benefit the homeless individual. The money is mine, and I am supposed to keep it, but there is someone who I know needs it more than I do and will highly benefit. Even though these are competing interests, I must be fair to share what I have.
Kantianism
Kantianism theory is also referred to as deontological ethics, and Emanuel Kant created this theory. According to Margaret, (2016), this theory, duty is the primary criteria that should direct human actions and deci...