ethics 1

norms

desirable attitudes

normative ethics

ethical thinking that guides human behavior

metaethics

studies of moral judgments and moral concepts

Metaethical studies investigate what

the meaning or the significance of what is right or wrong (good or evil)

a branch of metaethics

Normative ethics which can be divided into two major groups of theories: Deontology and Teleology

Advocates of deontological ethics emphasize

duties =performing moral duties is not a matter of deliberation or negotiation

A duty is what

an obligation, an act that has to be done or ought to be done regardless of its consequences
-Similar concept to religion, absolute obligation
Ex, never lying because its against the Ten Commandments

Ethical duties are derived from ethical

principles and concepts

There are 3 basic duties

Absolute
Prima Facie
Conditional

Absolute duty

binding under all circumstances
For example, it is not ok to kill an innocent person. The reason is because we know of no situation in which such killing would be permissible
In self defense, it is not a violation of deontology

Prima facie

Duties are determined by the present situation
Prima facie means "at first glance"
Is a duty that is made obvious by the circumstances surrounding it
Example, treating a patient that is in pain before treating a the patient who has come for a routine appo

Conditional Duty

Is a commitment that comes into being after certain conditions are met
Example, our society has a duty to support unemployed persons only after they try to learn new skills that may get them a better job, or after it becomes obvious they have no chance at

Teleology
1. The term is derived from Greek meaning
2. A teleologist will consider
3. Also called

1. "end" or "goal"
2. the consequences of telling the truth versus the consequences of lying and may find that lying is morally justified in that specific circumstance
3. consequentialism, is based on the notion that what matters for morality is the resul

Deontologists are more concerned with

the principle behind an action

Teleologists are more concerned with

the results of an action

ethical theories

Utilitarianism
Kantian Ethics
Virtue
These theories provide a background or rationale for making moral judgements

Utilitarianism 1st people, when and aim and type of theory

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill- 19th century
-aim of morality is attaining the greatest amount of utility for human beings and identified utility (or usefulness) with happiness
-consequentialist theory which means we are looking at the results of the

Utilitarianism defines the "good consequence" or "desirable result" as

the maximal happiness in the world (happiness for most people)
-suffering is the ultimate evil and happiness is the ultimate good, and the role of morality is to guide us to eliminate suffering and maximize happiness

Utilitarianism does not recommend what?
- instead it recommends
-The utility principle recommends that we seek the __________ in society rather than _________

that every person pursue only what makes them happy
-that all persons act in a way that leads to the least misery and the most happiness in the world
-"general" or "total" happiness, our own personal happiness

2 versions of Utilitarianism

Act utilitarian
Rule utilitarian

1. An act utilitarian is concerned with
2. A rule utilitarian is concerned

1. individual acts. This person would assert that acting in a certain way promotes general happiness, therefore, is a good action
2. more with the rule from which an action is derived. They would assert that the goodness of an action depends on whether it

In some situations ____ utilitarian can avoid problems that _____ utilitarian cannot
See page 5-Cornal polishing

rule
act

Kantian Ethics who, when , certain acts, consequenses, example

Immanuel Kant, 18th Century
-Certain acts are morally right because they are right regardless of their consequences or results
-Consequences should not matter when the moral value of an action is assessed
-If you do not tell lies because you believe that

To Kant, ethical principles cannot be subjected to __________, nor should they be modified to adapt to new situations when it appears useful to modify them
It would be wrong, to him, to modify one's commitment to truth telling in light of the present circ

negotiation

kant beleifs about lying for example

if we believe that truth telling is good, we must always tell the truth even if that leads to great harm in a particular context
Kant acknowledges that it is sometimes harmful to follow moral principles faithfully, and that in some cases we might do bette

Kantian ethics are categorical (absolute) imperatives (duties) that are_________ . They can be inferred by reason and should be _______.
We must treat all people as ______ in themselves, not as _______.
In summary.....

inescapable; generalized
ends; means
People should not be treated as objects, their well-being should not be treated as a commodity

1. Virtue ethics places emphasis on
2. Advocates
3. To them, virtue was the basis of
4. Virtuous people are disposed to
5. example,

1. character traits of individuals
2. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
3. morality
4. think and act morally
5. a virtuous person recommends kindness to animals, honesty in financial dealings, and truth telling

Virtue Ethics rely on the moral inclination of people with ......
-Therefore, virtue ethics tells us to act the way a ____person would act in a similar situation

excellent personal qualities to identify the morally right and wrong
-virtuous

Deontology, Teleology, Utilitarian and Kantian theories tell us to act according to

the principle or rule that suits the situation

Ancient virtue ethics emphasized the cardinal virtues of
Many feel that a person cannot possess one virtue without

temperance, justice, courage and wisdom
the other and that all virtues are interrelated or interdependent

Social philosophy deals with issues like
ex:

justice, rights and equality
access to health care resources and patients' rights

The utilitarian view of _______ is considered the most important component in the social aspect of utilitarianism
Utilitarian's understand social justice as a means to _____
They argue that satisfying ________ leads to more happiness than does enjoying lu

justice
happiness
basic needs

The aim of utilitarianism is to
Justice is not an end in itself, but

reduce suffering and to increase the amount of total happiness in the world
a means to happiness

Health care resources
Sickness produces suffering and undermines happiness
Making health care resources available for all or most members of society is essential for keeping the level of happiness sufficiently high
Utilitarianism calls not for ______ but

equality
extent of equality that keeps most people healthy and free of suffering

who believed that human beings are born with rights attached to them by nature, including the right to freedom (autonomy), life, property ownership, and free expression ?

John Locke

The U.S. Constitution states that Americans are granted the right to

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Freedom of speech, religion, bearing arms

Rights protect one's interests by imposing corresponding ______on other people to respect the interests of a right holder
Every right then has a corresponding______ on the part of other society members
Example,

duties
duty
your right to privacy cannot be exercised if your society does not consider it a duty to protect you from intruders

Moral rights include

the right to life, autonomy, and equality before the law
valid claim based on moral (ethical) reasons
Most moral rights are protected by law, but not every moral right is a legal right

Legal rights-

some legal rights may not be moral rights

Rights are not absolute which means...

Can be revoked or suspended
Guaranteed for all persons
Privileges not guaranteed (though not denied)

who is an American contemporary philosopher
Social justice as a fair deal which members of society negotiate and abide

John Rawls

John Rawls theory of justice

-Justice is an end in itself
- believes that people will be impartial if they are ignorant about their personal status, economic situation and social standing
-This is an assumption that people act from self-interest

Ethics consist of thoughts and ideas about

morality

Deontological ethics (Kant's ethics) emphasize

duties

Teleological (consequentialist) theory is concerned with

attaining the greatest amount of utility, usefulness, or happiness

Social philosophy is concerned

mainly with rights of people and social justice