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.