Ethical Theories Introduction to Ethics
Ethical TheoriesIntroduction to Ethics
What is a theory?
What is a theory?Theory: a system of ideas intended to explain something
Examples?
Seven Main Ethical Theories
• Deontologism• Contractarianism• Consequentialism• Egoism• Virtue Ethics• Care Ethics• Empathy Ethics
On which corners of the triangle shall we place these theories?
Seven Main Ethical TheoriesDeontologismContractarianism
ConsequentialismEgoism
Virtue EthicsCare EthicsEmpathy Ethics
Using the Ethical Triangle to See Weak Points
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the morality of an action’s adherence to a rule or rules.
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the morality of an action’s adherence to a rule or rules.
What corner will it emphasize?
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the morality of an action’s adherence to a rule or rules.
NS P
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Deontologists live in a universe of absolute moral rules, such as:• It is wrong to kill innocent
people• It is wrong to steal• It is wrong to tell lies• It is right to keep promisesN
S Phttp://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the morality of an action’s adherence to a rule or rules.
NS P
What might it be weak in?
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism says:Some kinds of action are wrong or right in themselves, regardless of the consequences.
Someone who follows Duty-based ethics should do the right thing, even if that produces more harm (or less good) than doing the wrong thing.
People have a duty to do the right thing, even if it produces a bad result.
NS P
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism:
Because of its lack of focus on consequences, deontologism is sometimes called non-consequentialism.N
S Phttp://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism says:Some kinds of actions are right, despite the motivations or purposes of the person.
Easy to fall into mere rule following.
Easy to fall into ethical hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy: the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
NS P
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Kant’s called this rule:
The CategoricalImperative
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Testing the Categorical Imperative. Could these be made rules?
a. Don’t keep your promises.b. Lie when it helps you.c. Do not murder.d. Do not steal.e. Do not jump the queue.f. Let poor people help themselves.g. Sell all you have and give it to the poor.
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Testing the Categorical Imperative:
Moral Dilemmas
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Testing the Categorical Imperative:Dilemma:Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her whole twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her parents that the only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart transplant procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that she does not want to go through with the procedure and accept the consequences which would be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid overlook the fact that Emma has stated that she does not want the heart transplant; after all, Emma is still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know what's best for her in a field that makes their students study for practically twelve years. Dr. Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go through with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the wish of Emma.
DEO
NTO
LOG
ISM
Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Deontologism:• Emphasizes respect for every
human.• Makes some actions always wrong• Provides certainty
Weaknesses of Deontologism: • Hard to handle exceptions• Hard to solve conflicting rules• Allows acts that create many bad
consequences
Changing Gears: A New Ethical Theory
Consequentialism
Eight Main Ethical TheoriesDeontologistContractarianism
ConsequentialismEgoism
Virtue EthicsCare EthicsEmpathy Ethics
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based upon the results of conduct.
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
A type of consequentialism is :
Utilitarianism
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Utilitarianism focuses on a specific consequence: happiness
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based upon the results of conduct.
What corner will it emphasize?
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Consequentialists strive to maximize goodness.
No type of act is inherently wrong - not even murder - it depends on the result of the act.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
N
PS
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
The Appeal of Consequentialism:
• It seems sensible to base ethics on producing happiness and reducing unhappiness
• It seems sensible to base ethics on the consequences of what we do, since we usually take decisions about what to do by considering what results will be produced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
N
PS
Using the Ethical Triangle to See Weak Points
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Consequentialism says:
No rule can tell us what is inherently good or bad.
No interior state of the person is relevant to ethical decisions.
N
S P
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Testing Consequentialism:
a. Don’t keep your promises.b. Lie when it helps you.c. Do not murder.d. Do not steal.e. Do not jump the queue.f. Let poor people help themselves.g. Sell all you have and give it to the poor.
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Testing Consequentialism:
Dilemma:
Remember the trolley dilemma?
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Testing Consequentialism:Dilemma:Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her whole twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her parents that the only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart transplant procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that she does not want to go through with the procedure and accept the consequences which would be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid overlook the fact that Emma has stated that she does not want the heart transplant; after all, Emma is still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know what's best for her in a field that makes their students study for practically twelve years. Dr. Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go through with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the wish of Emma.
CON
SEQU
ENTIALISM
Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Consequentialism:• Flexible• Focuses on happiness• Simple
Weaknesses of Consequentialism: • Hard to predict results• Difficult to measure happiness• Difficult to predict others’ behavior• Ignores character, past, fairness
Changing Gears: A New Ethical Theory
Virtue Ethics
Eight Main Ethical TheoriesDeontologismContractarianism
ConsequentialismEgoism
Virtue EthicsCare EthicsEmpathy Ethics
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics: the ethical theory that good is what a person with a deep habit or disposition for goodness will choose over time.
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
What is a “habit”?العادةhabit:a settled or regular practice, especially one that is hard to give up
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
What is a “virtue”?
virtue:a virtue is a moral habit that a person needs to live well.
https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
What are some examples of virtues?
• Wisdom• Justice• Fidelity• Courage• Self-care• Self-control
• Honesty• Joy• Peace• Kindness• Love• Tolerance
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
What are some examples of virtues?
• Wisdom – good judgment• Justice -- fairness• Fidelity – care for the close• Courage -- forbearance• Self-care – responsibility to
self• Self-control -- restraint
22 Virtues:
Creativity Curiosity OpennessPerspective Bravery WonderPerseverance Honesty ZestLove Kindness EmpathyTeamwork Fairness LeadershipForgiveness Humility Self-ControlGratitude HopeHumor Spirituality
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
“Virtue ethics is person rather than action based: it looks at the virtue or moral character of the person carrying out an action, rather than at ethical duties and rules, or the consequences of particular actions.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/virtue.shtml
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics:the ethical theory that good is what a person with a deep habit or disposition for goodness will choose over time.
N
S P
Using the Ethical Triangle to See Weak Points
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics says:
No rule by itself is inherently good or bad. Only persons are.
No facts by themselves can tell us what is good or bad.
N
S P
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
Testing Virtue Ethics:
a. Don’t keep your promises.b. Lie when it helps you.c. Do not murder.d. Do not steal.e. Do not jump the queue.f. Let poor people help themselves.g. Sell all you have and give it to the poor.
VIRTUE ETH
ICS Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Virtue Ethics:• It centers ethics on the person and
what it means to be human• It includes the whole of a person's
life
Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics: • No clear guidance for moral
dilemmas• No clear agreement on what the
virtues are
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
VIRTUE
Testing Virtue:
Dilemma:Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her whole twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her parents that the only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart transplant procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that she does not want to go through with the procedure and accept the consequences which would be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid overlook the fact that Emma has stated that she does not want the heart transplant; after all, Emma is still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know what's best for her in a field that makes their students study for practically twelve years. Dr. Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go through with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the wish of Emma.