Evaluate the critiques of consequentialism and deontology put forth by other ethical theories, such as virtue ethics and care ethics. How do these critiques challenge the assumptions and principles of consequentialism and deontology, and what implications do they have for ethical decision making?

Virtue ethics and care ethics are two alternative ethical theories that offer critiques of consequentialism and deontology. While consequentialism and deontology emphasize actions and rules, respectively, virtue ethics emphasizes the character and traits of the moral agent, while care ethics emphasizes the importance of relationships and empathy in ethical decision-making.

One critique of consequentialism and deontology by virtue ethics is that these theories overlook the importance of cultivating virtuous character traits in the moral agent. Virtue ethics suggests that moral decision-making should be based on developing the character traits necessary for living a flourishing life, such as courage, honesty, and compassion. According to this view, ethical decision-making is not only about what actions are taken or what rules are followed, but also about the character of the person making those decisions. For example, a consequentialist may justify lying to protect someone from harm, while a virtue ethicist may prioritize the character trait of honesty over the consequences of the action.

Care ethics also critiques consequentialism and deontology by emphasizing the importance of relationships and empathy in ethical decision-making. Care ethics suggests that moral decision-making should be guided by an understanding of the relationships and responsibilities we have to others, rather than solely focusing on outcomes or rules. Care ethicists argue that consequentialism and deontology can overlook the importance of empathizing with and caring for others, leading to decisions that may not reflect our obligations to those around us. For example, a consequentialist may justify firing employees to increase profits, while a care ethicist may prioritize the relationships and responsibilities that the employer has to those employees.

These critiques challenge the assumptions and principles of consequentialism and deontology by highlighting the importance of character traits and relationships in ethical decision-making. They suggest that ethical decision-making cannot be reduced to a set of rules or calculations, but requires a more nuanced and context-dependent approach that takes into account the complexities of human relationships and character development.

The implications of these critiques for ethical decision-making are that consequentialism and deontology may need to be supplemented or revised in order to fully account for the importance of character and relationships. Organizations and individuals may need to consider the impact of their decisions on others and the development of their own character, rather than solely focusing on outcomes or rules. They may need to adopt a more holistic approach to ethical decision-making that takes into account the complexities of human life and relationships.