This document outlines four main ethical theories - Utilitarianism, Duty Ethics, Rights Ethics, and Virtue Ethics. It provides details on each theory and how they differ in their approaches. Utilitarianism focuses on producing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Duty Ethics emphasizes duties and obligations regardless of outcomes. Rights Ethics stresses not violating individual rights. Virtue Ethics focuses on good character traits. The document also discusses applications of Utilitarianism, such as cost-benefit analysis, and how the theories could potentially provide different conclusions, posing an ethical dilemma.
This document outlines four main ethical theories - Utilitarianism, Duty Ethics, Rights Ethics, and Virtue Ethics. It provides details on each theory and how they differ in their approaches. Utilitarianism focuses on producing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Duty Ethics emphasizes duties and obligations regardless of outcomes. Rights Ethics stresses not violating individual rights. Virtue Ethics focuses on good character traits. The document also discusses applications of Utilitarianism, such as cost-benefit analysis, and how the theories could potentially provide different conclusions, posing an ethical dilemma.
This document outlines four main ethical theories - Utilitarianism, Duty Ethics, Rights Ethics, and Virtue Ethics. It provides details on each theory and how they differ in their approaches. Utilitarianism focuses on producing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Duty Ethics emphasizes duties and obligations regardless of outcomes. Rights Ethics stresses not violating individual rights. Virtue Ethics focuses on good character traits. The document also discusses applications of Utilitarianism, such as cost-benefit analysis, and how the theories could potentially provide different conclusions, posing an ethical dilemma.
making Four Ethical Theories Each differing to what is held to be most important moral concept. (a) Utilitarianism; (b) Duty Ethics; (c) Rights Ethics; and (d) Virtue Ethics Utilitarianism Seeks to produce the most utility, defined as a balance between good and bad consequences of the action, taking into account the consequences for everyone affected. Duty Ethics Contends that there are duties that should be performed regardless of whether these acts lead to the most good. Example : duty to treat others fairly or the duty not to injure others. Rights Ethics Emphasizes the moral rights and any action that violates these rights is unethically acceptable. Virtue Ethics Regards actions as right that manifest good character trait (virtue) and regards actions as bad that display bad character traits (vices). This theory focuses on the type of person we should strive to be. Utilitarianism Actions are good that serve to maximize human well-being. -not on maximizing the well-being of individual but rather on maximizing the well-being of society as a whole. -Example : Building of dam. Benefits Provide stable supplies of drinking water; Flood control; and Recreational opportunities. Costs People displaced from area flooded for the dam (inadequate compensation, cultural uprooting). Utilitarianism Risk-benefit analysis; Cost-benefit analysis. Problem ; people who suffer may not be the ones who benefit. Act Utilitarianism Most common rules of morality like dont steal, be honest, dont harm, , are good guidelines derived from centuries of human experience. Rules should be broken if action taken will lead to most good. Rule Utilitarianism moral rules are most important (do not harm others and do not steal) adhering to these rules might not always maximize good in a particular situation, overall, adhering to moral rules will ultimately lead to the most good. Cost-Benefit Analysis (Application of Utilitarianism) Costs of project are assessed, as are the benefits. Only those projects with the highest ratio of benefits to costs will be implemented. Pitfalls Costs may be estimated. Benefits derived hard to predict. Those having to pay for the costs may not be those enjoying the benefits. Duty Ethics and Rights Ethics Hold that actions are good that respect the rights of the individual. Virtue Ethics Actions are considered right if they support good character traits and wrong if they support bad character trails. Focuses on responsibility, honesty, competence and loyalty. Virtue Ethics Vices dishonesty, disloyalty, and irresponsibility. Dilemma Which theory to follow if the conclusion reached by each theory differs? Which theory is more important?