This essay delves into several key ethical theories relevant to the social sciences. It begins by defining and providing examples of act utilitarianism, exploring its strengths in maximizing overall good while acknowledging weaknesses related to predicting consequences. The essay then examines the divine command theory, highlighting its strengths in providing absolute rules but also its weaknesses concerning the Euthyphro dilemma. Nicomachean ethics is discussed, emphasizing its focus on virtue ethics and the motivation for self-improvement, along with the challenges of defining virtues. The essay further contrasts absolutism and relativism, presenting examples and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses in ethical decision-making. Finally, it addresses historical determinism, providing examples and discussing its impact on moral decision-making, along with challenges to free will and potential reconciliations with determinism. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of these theories, offering valuable insights for students studying ethics within the social sciences.
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