Question

Explain and include your own example of the difference between teleological and deontological perspectives

Explain the differences between:

Evaluative (normative)statements/judgments/claims

Descriptive statements/judgments/claims

And Metaethics

Include your own example of each

Examples must be your own and not from the book

Answer 1

Deontology is based on a set of rules that govern an individual’s absolute duty towards mankind, which must be given priority over the end results. Whereas, teleology is based on the consequences of an action and the extent to which an action produces the greatest happiness and least pain. We can use the following example to illustrate the difference. Let us assume that a suspect who has planted a bomb in New York City has been caught by a CIA official. The official realises the only way to get the suspect to revalue details about the bomb is by torturing his wife in front of him. A deontologist would argue that this action would be morally wrong as the wife should not be used as a means to achieve an end. However, a teleologist would morally approve of the torture as the end result of it can save the lives of scores of individuals.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of the same question.