Question

The ethical philosophy used by Bernie Madoff when he committed his fraud;

Deontology
Utilitarianism
Intuitionism
Egoism
Enlightened Egoism
Relativism

OR

Virtue Ethics?

Answer 1

Most appropriate response: Egoism or Ethical egosim.

Justification:
"Ethical egoism is an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality."
This theory is best applicable in Bernie Madoff’s case, because he defrauds his clients to achieve personal goals.

Ruling out of other options:
Deontology: "it is the normative ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action." Madoff was never evaluated his actions to be right or wrong. Hence, this is not the right response.

Utilitarianism: "it is a moral theory that advocates actions that promote overall happiness or pleasure and rejects actions that cause unhappiness or harm." Madoff's actions were bound to cause unhappiness to his clients. Hence, this is not the right response.

Intuitionism: " it is an approach where mathematics is considered to be purely the result of the constructive mental activity of humans rather than the discovery of fundamental principles claimed to exist in an objective reality." Madoff did not consider the mathematics of his activity to be result of his mental state. Hence, this is not the right response.

Enlightened egoism: "Enlightened egoism or Enlightened self-interest is a philosophy in ethics which states that persons who act to further the interests of others, ultimately serve their own self-interest." Madoff never really acted to further the interest of others. He was, from the beginning concerned with his own personal gains. Hence, this is not the right response.

Relativism: "the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute." Madoff did not base his actions in the context of any culture or society. Hence, this is not the right response.

Virtue Ethics: "it discuss the nature and definition of virtues and other related problems that focus on the consequences of action" Madoff did not consider the consequences of his actions. Hence, this is not the right response.