Ethics offer two major theoretical perspectives from which one can determine whether their actions are morally right or not. On the one hand, teleology claims that an act is morally right if it results in a greater level of good than any alternative. Teleology includes various ethical paradigms, such as egoism and utilitarianism (Benlahcene et al., 2018). In contrast, deontology is based on duty; the strict moral spirit of this perspective dictates that certain actions are intrinsically wrong and thus cannot be justified.
I prefer the teleological paradigm, in particular — its utilitarian aspect that emphasizes the importance of making decisions that boost universal happiness. In my opinion, the deontological paradigm is too strict, rigid, and aggressive. For example, deontology does not answer why an individual must follow the moral norms developed and disseminated by someone else. Moreover, deontology struggles to explain which action is morally right if there is a conflict between two strict sets of moral norms. In this regard, teleology offers pleasant flexibility that allows an individual to choose their course of action. Finally, teleology does not justify morally wrong actions — utilitarianism strongly implies that one should act in a way that maximizes happiness for everyone.
In this regard, my decision to wear a face mask in public places aligns with teleological theories. From the egoist perspective, I lower my chances of getting infected and suffering from the unpleasant COVID-19 symptoms. From the utilitarian standpoint, my small contribution to public health safety protects others from getting sick. A study by Krishnamachari et al. (2021) confirmed that mask mandates were effective at decreasing COVID-19 spread rates. Therefore, my choice to cope with a slight inconvenience in the form of a face mask can potentially save other people and me from more significant problems. Overall, the teleological paradigm allowed me to make a decision that I consider morally right in current circumstances.
References
Benlahcene, A., Zainuddin, R. B., Syakiran, N., & Ismail, A. B. (2018). A Narrative Review of Ethics Theories: Teleological & Deontological Ethics. Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 23(1), 31-38.
Krishnamachari, B., Morris, A., Zastrow, D., Dsida, A., Harper, B., & Santella, A. J. (2021). The role of mask mandates, stay at home orders and school closure in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic prior to vaccination.American Journal of Infection Control. 49(8), 1036-1042. Web.