Argument

Teacher Can the main ethical theories we have studied–Deontology, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, and , perhaps , Hobbess social contract– be combined to offer the best way for us to be ethical ? If so , how would you combine them?? BE SPECIFIC
The ethical theories that we have studied can in fact be combined into a coherent set of ethical guidelines which we use as guidelines in our daily lives. They can in fact balance themselves to make it a workable and realistic ethical guideline that could be useful in our lives.
For example, we can balance virtue ethics with utilitarianism. Virtue ethics states that we should be good for the sake of being good which could sometimes be impractical in modern world because others would tend to take advantage if we are too good all the time. Utilitarianism will balance it because utilitarian ethics seeks to practice ethics only when it is beneficial. Utilitarianism left on its own is also not good because it could lead to selfishness as it only concerns with itself. Being good and finding its good use will surely make a good pair of ethics.
Moreover when we add deontological ethics to utilitarianism and virtue ethics we would become duty bound to follow sound ethical guidelines in our lives. Deontological ethics states that we should determine our duties and obligations and follow them. If we are able to create a set of ethics that is a combination of utilitarianism and virtue ethics, that is, good ethics that is grounded on reality, and make it a set of rules in this world, then there is a good chance that we will be following a set of ethical guidelines that is grounded on the reality of the world.