Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Normative Ethics
Teleological Theory
Deontological Theory
Ethical Egoism
Altruism
Kantianism
Universalism
Teleological theory
Derived from Greek word telos means end Determine ethics of an act by looking to the consequences of the decision (The Ends) Utilitarianism and Distributive Justice are based on teleological approach
Ethical Egoism
An action is good if it produces result to maximize persons self-interest at the expense of others. It denies that a person should help others when the person will get nothing out of it. Enlightened egoism is enlightened self interest considers the long range perspective of other or humanity on the whole.
Utilitarian Principle
Universalism Consequentialism
Utilitarian principle
Maximalism
Hedonism
They provide a relatively precise and objective method for moral decision making
They are in accord with much of our ordinary moral reasoning; An action would provide some benefit or inflict harm. This is morally relevant reason for or against performing it.
Derived from greek word deon means duty This approach believes we have a duty not to do bad Bribery is wrong by its very nature regardless of the consequences It is non-consequential theory Determine the ethics of an act by looking at the process of the decision (The means) Kantianism is based on deontological approach
Deontological Theory
Deontology vs Utilitarianism
Principle inherent in action Individuals themselves are valuable Outside the action in Criticized because it makes sacrifice, some people for sake of others According to deontologists Concerned with total amount utilitarian go wrong when they fix of happiness on happiness as the highest good. They point out that happiness cannot be the highest good for humans
Theory asserts that there are some Right or wrong are actions that are always wrong, no dependent on consequences matter what consequences vary with the circumstances
For Bentham it is Happiness, for Kant it is goodwill An action is morally right only if the person performing it is motivated by a good will and vice-versa. A goodwill means action done for reasons of principle from a sense of duty, nothing else.
Kantianism vs Utilitarianism
Details
Explicit and direct appeal to consequences in determining right or wrong Motive for action Permit sacrifice of individuals or minorities to collective self interest Ethics of:
Kantianism
Absent
Utilitarianism
yes
Sole importance No
Incidental Yes
Duty
Welfare
Theory:
Formulations on: Common good must have priority over every thing else
Consequentialism
Utility, Maximise happiness, Hedonism No
This theory makes more sense in cases where consequences seem to be irrelevant
It is the way they account for the role of motives in evaluating actions
Failure to provide a plausible account of how our moral obligations and resolve problems of moral conflict
Rules in Rosss theory is plausible; No reason is provided in accepting these rule Rosss rules are open to ethnocentrism
It defines the concept of virtue It must offer some list of virtues It offers some justification of that list and explain how we define what are virtues and vices
Virtue Ethics
Strengths
Help to resolve Ethical Dilemmas It takes into account the importance of relationships.
Ethical Relativism
There is no universal set of principles by which to judge morality Each society has its rules and it is inappropriate to compare ethical rules of one society with that of another Relativists thus rule out possibility of discussion across societies on ethical issues.
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