B368 Ethical Theories
Traditional Ethical Theories
Consequentialist (teleological)
Non- Consequentialist (deontological)
- Act in the way that brings about the best consequences - Concentrate on the act being perform
Egoism (outcome: desirability)
Kant (ethics of duties)
Nature:
Nature:
act accordingly to self-interest
based on desires
free (Adam Smith)
Example:
Correct if morals actors think it is correct
(rational/logical/reasonable)
not depends on situations
Categorical imperative- right if three maxim survive
Tutor allows his students to talk in class. Morally right or
Correct if three maxim survive
wrong?
M1= consistency: you want other follow
Problem:
M2=right if there is human dignity
M3= right is as for everyone
Create gaps
Inconsistent outcomes
Example:
Use of expensive labour. Morally right or wrong?
Problem:
Outcomes?
Complex
Optimism
Utilitarianism (outcome: max. utility)
Locke (ethics of rights)
Nature:
Nature:
Correct if no. benefited people > no. suffered people
Correct if human/natural rights are provided
Collective welfare
i.e. human rights: right to life, liberty, justice,
Cost-benefit analysis
education, fair trail, fair wages,… .etc.
Example:
Example:
Animal tests. Morally right or wrong?
Use of child labour. Morally right or wrong?
Problem:
Problem:
Subjective
Unfair
Quantify
Distribution
Distribution
Ethical Position (This box is irrelevant)
Rawis (theory of justice)
Absolutist
Nature:
- Moral judgments are objective, rationally determined.
Two tests
Relativist
Equal rights/realized freedoms
- Moral judgments are subjective, depends on the decision
Create inequalities, but – arrangement for the
maker and where he/she is.
worst group & access for everyone
Example: The president earns sky high salary. Morally right or wrong?
Problems:
??
Contemporary Ethical Theories
Virtue ethics
Discourse ethics
Nature:
Nature:
Not
Consequentialist (teleological)
Non- Consequentialist (deontological)
- Act in the way that brings about the best consequences - Concentrate on the act being perform
Egoism (outcome: desirability)
Kant (ethics of duties)
Nature:
Nature:
act accordingly to self-interest
based on desires
free (Adam Smith)
Example:
Correct if morals actors think it is correct
(rational/logical/reasonable)
not depends on situations
Categorical imperative- right if three maxim survive
Tutor allows his students to talk in class. Morally right or
Correct if three maxim survive
wrong?
M1= consistency: you want other follow
Problem:
M2=right if there is human dignity
M3= right is as for everyone
Create gaps
Inconsistent outcomes
Example:
Use of expensive labour. Morally right or wrong?
Problem:
Outcomes?
Complex
Optimism
Utilitarianism (outcome: max. utility)
Locke (ethics of rights)
Nature:
Nature:
Correct if no. benefited people > no. suffered people
Correct if human/natural rights are provided
Collective welfare
i.e. human rights: right to life, liberty, justice,
Cost-benefit analysis
education, fair trail, fair wages,… .etc.
Example:
Example:
Animal tests. Morally right or wrong?
Use of child labour. Morally right or wrong?
Problem:
Problem:
Subjective
Unfair
Quantify
Distribution
Distribution
Ethical Position (This box is irrelevant)
Rawis (theory of justice)
Absolutist
Nature:
- Moral judgments are objective, rationally determined.
Two tests
Relativist
Equal rights/realized freedoms
- Moral judgments are subjective, depends on the decision
Create inequalities, but – arrangement for the
maker and where he/she is.
worst group & access for everyone
Example: The president earns sky high salary. Morally right or wrong?
Problems:
??
Contemporary Ethical Theories
Virtue ethics
Discourse ethics
Nature:
Nature:
Not