1 Ethics Chapter Five Deontological Ethics. 2 Deontological Ethics Deontologists hold that...

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Ethics

Chapter FiveChapter Five

Deontological EthicsDeontological Ethics

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Deontological Ethics

Deontological EthicsDeontological Ethics Deontologists hold that rightness and Deontologists hold that rightness and

wrongness of acts are determined by the wrongness of acts are determined by the intrinsic quality of the act itself or the kind of intrinsic quality of the act itself or the kind of act it is, not by its consequencesact it is, not by its consequences

A deontologist would tend to give the A deontologist would tend to give the millionaire’s money to the Yankees, millionaire’s money to the Yankees, according to the millionaire’s request according to the millionaire’s request

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Deontological EthicsDeontological Ethics Kant argues that we can’t will that lying or Kant argues that we can’t will that lying or

promise breaking be universal laws, so that promise breaking be universal laws, so that they must be seen as immoralthey must be seen as immoral

Moral principles are absoluteMoral principles are absolute Ross says if we consult our conscience, we Ross says if we consult our conscience, we

will hit upon obvious moral principleswill hit upon obvious moral principles

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant Kant rejects this naturalistic, utilitarian account Kant rejects this naturalistic, utilitarian account

of ethics, but says that ethics is not contingent of ethics, but says that ethics is not contingent on anything, rather it is absoluteon anything, rather it is absolute

Our moral duties are not dependent on Our moral duties are not dependent on feelings, but on reason feelings, but on reason

They are unconditional, universally valid and They are unconditional, universally valid and necessary, regardless of the possible necessary, regardless of the possible consequences or opposition to our inclinationsconsequences or opposition to our inclinations

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant If we can consistently will that everyone do If we can consistently will that everyone do

some type of action, then that action will be some type of action, then that action will be moralmoral

If we can’t consistently will that everyone do If we can’t consistently will that everyone do some type of action, then that type of action is some type of action, then that type of action is morally wrongmorally wrong

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant So act as to treat humanity, whether yourself or So act as to treat humanity, whether yourself or

anotheranother In every case as an end and never as merely a In every case as an end and never as merely a

means onlymeans only Each person must never be exploited, Each person must never be exploited,

manipulated, or merely used as a means to our manipulated, or merely used as a means to our idea of what is for the general goodidea of what is for the general good

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The Good WillThe Good Will

A good will is good simply by virtue of the A good will is good simply by virtue of the volition, that is it is good in itself and volition, that is it is good in itself and considered by itself to be esteemed much considered by itself to be esteemed much higher than all that can be brought about by higher than all that can be brought about by it in favor of any inclinationit in favor of any inclination

A thing which has its whole value in itselfA thing which has its whole value in itself

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The First Proposition of MoralityThe First Proposition of Morality

An action must be done from a sense of An action must be done from a sense of duty, if it is to have moral worthduty, if it is to have moral worth

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The Second Proposition of MoralityThe Second Proposition of Morality

An action done from duty derives its moral An action done from duty derives its moral worth, not from the purpose which is to be worth, not from the purpose which is to be attained by it, but from the maxim by which it attained by it, but from the maxim by which it is determined and therefore does not depend is determined and therefore does not depend on the realization of the object of the action, on the realization of the object of the action, but merely on the principle of volition by but merely on the principle of volition by which the action has taken place without which the action has taken place without regard to any object of desireregard to any object of desire

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The Third Proposition of MoralityThe Third Proposition of Morality

Duty is the necessity of acting from respect Duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the lawfor the law

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The Formulation of Universal LawThe Formulation of Universal Law

When Kant conceives a hypothetical When Kant conceives a hypothetical imperative, in general he does not know imperative, in general he does not know before hand what it will contain until he is before hand what it will contain until he is given the conditiongiven the condition

But when he conceives a categorical But when he conceives a categorical imperative, he knows at once what it imperative, he knows at once what it containscontains

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant The Formulation of Humanity as an End in ItselfThe Formulation of Humanity as an End in Itself

Things have only relative value and can be used Things have only relative value and can be used as a means to an endas a means to an end

Rational beings are called persons, and because Rational beings are called persons, and because of this they are ends in and of themselvesof this they are ends in and of themselves

So act to treat every human being whether it is So act to treat every human being whether it is yourself or another as an end and never as a yourself or another as an end and never as a meansmeans

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant Using Persons as Mere MeansUsing Persons as Mere Means

To use someone as a mere means is to involve them To use someone as a mere means is to involve them in a scheme of action to which they could not in in a scheme of action to which they could not in principle consentprinciple consent

If I cash a check I use the teller as a means, without If I cash a check I use the teller as a means, without the teller I could not lay my hands on the cashthe teller I could not lay my hands on the cash

In this case, each party consents to the their part in In this case, each party consents to the their part in the transaction the transaction

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One person may make a promise to another with One person may make a promise to another with every intention of breaking itevery intention of breaking it

If the promise is accepted, then the person to whom If the promise is accepted, then the person to whom it was given must be ignorant of what the promisor’s it was given must be ignorant of what the promisor’s intention really isintention really is

If one knew that the promisor did not intend to do If one knew that the promisor did not intend to do what he was promising, one would not accept the what he was promising, one would not accept the promise in the first placepromise in the first place

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The person can’t, in principle, consent because The person can’t, in principle, consent because the person was deceived, used as a tool, a the person was deceived, used as a tool, a mere meansmere means

In Kant’s view it is this that makes false In Kant’s view it is this that makes false promising (lying) wrong promising (lying) wrong

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This can be accomplished by:This can be accomplished by: Deception, the person can’t consent since Deception, the person can’t consent since

they didn’t knowthey didn’t know Coercion, if the person is coerced they are Coercion, if the person is coerced they are

not consenting not consenting

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The Moral Law by Immanuel KantThe Moral Law by Immanuel Kant Do you think that Kant’s thinking is too rigid?Do you think that Kant’s thinking is too rigid? Should we take consequences into account when Should we take consequences into account when

deciding on moral decisions?deciding on moral decisions? How would Kant deal with moral conflicts?How would Kant deal with moral conflicts? Anne FrankAnne Frank

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross Ross says that optimal consequences have Ross says that optimal consequences have

nothing to do with moral rightness or wrongnessnothing to do with moral rightness or wrongness We have intuitive knowledge of rightness and We have intuitive knowledge of rightness and

wrongness in terms of action guiding principles, wrongness in terms of action guiding principles, such as keeping promises, promoting justice such as keeping promises, promoting justice showing gratitude and not harming othersshowing gratitude and not harming others

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross Unlike Kant, Ross believes these principles are Unlike Kant, Ross believes these principles are

not absolutesnot absolutes While their intrinsic value is not dependent on the While their intrinsic value is not dependent on the

circumstances, their application is circumstances, their application is

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross Normally promise keeping should come before Normally promise keeping should come before

benevolence, but that when and only when the benevolence, but that when and only when the good to be produced by the benevolent act is very good to be produced by the benevolent act is very great and the promise comparatively trivial, the great and the promise comparatively trivial, the act of benevolence becomes our duty act of benevolence becomes our duty

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross The duty of non malfeasance is recognized as a The duty of non malfeasance is recognized as a

distinct one distinct one We should not in general consider it justifiable to kill We should not in general consider it justifiable to kill

one person in order to keep another alive, or to steal one person in order to keep another alive, or to steal from one in order to give money to anotherfrom one in order to give money to another

If the duty is to produce the maximum of good, the If the duty is to produce the maximum of good, the question becomes “Who should have the good?”question becomes “Who should have the good?”

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross What if we make a promise to Adam and it would What if we make a promise to Adam and it would

produce 1,000 units of good for himproduce 1,000 units of good for him But if we break the promise to Adam we would be But if we break the promise to Adam we would be

able to give Cain 1,001 units of good to whom I able to give Cain 1,001 units of good to whom I haven’t made a promise haven’t made a promise

Should we do right by Able who we promised or to Should we do right by Able who we promised or to Cain who would receive the most good?Cain who would receive the most good?

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross There would be a much greater disparity of value There would be a much greater disparity of value

between the total consequences and us failing to between the total consequences and us failing to keep the promisekeep the promise

The fact that we have made a promise is in itself The fact that we have made a promise is in itself sufficient to create a duty of keeping itsufficient to create a duty of keeping it

The sense of duty rests on the past promise and The sense of duty rests on the past promise and not the thoughts of future consequencesnot the thoughts of future consequences

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Intuitionism by RossIntuitionism by Ross What if Cain was a very good man and Able was What if Cain was a very good man and Able was

a very bad man, would this influence your a very bad man, would this influence your decision?decision?

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The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIverThe Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIver The Golden Rule is the best method for The Golden Rule is the best method for

discovering one’s moral dutydiscovering one’s moral duty By putting yourself in another person’s place you By putting yourself in another person’s place you

can find guidance for actioncan find guidance for action

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The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIverThe Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIver How can ethics lay down final principles of How can ethics lay down final principles of

behavior that are not your values against my behavior that are not your values against my values?values?

There is no rule that can prescribe both my values There is no rule that can prescribe both my values and yours or decide between them and yours or decide between them

So, do unto others as you would have others do So, do unto others as you would have others do to you to you

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The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIverThe Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIver This prescribes a mode of behavior, not the goal This prescribes a mode of behavior, not the goal

of actionof action When we want to make our ethical principle When we want to make our ethical principle

prevail we try to persuade others in an attempt to prevail we try to persuade others in an attempt to convert them convert them

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The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIverThe Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIver The Golden Rule asks you to expand your vision, The Golden Rule asks you to expand your vision,

to see yourself in new relationships, to transcend to see yourself in new relationships, to transcend your insulation, to see yourself in the place of your insulation, to see yourself in the place of others and other in your place, to test your values others and other in your place, to test your values or at least your way of pursuing themor at least your way of pursuing them

However, the Golden Rule doesn’t solve our ethic However, the Golden Rule doesn’t solve our ethic problems, rather it tells us how to approach the problems, rather it tells us how to approach the situation situation

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The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIverThe Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule-MacIver Think about it, when I am in power, you advocate Think about it, when I am in power, you advocate

the equal rights of all creedsthe equal rights of all creeds Then when you rise in power, you reject any such Then when you rise in power, you reject any such

claims as ridiculousclaims as ridiculous Is this what the Founding Father of the U.S. did Is this what the Founding Father of the U.S. did

when confronting the issue of slavery? when confronting the issue of slavery?

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A Critique of the Golden Rule by WhatelyA Critique of the Golden Rule by Whately According to the Golden Rule, when I lease my According to the Golden Rule, when I lease my

land to a farmer, I should allow him to have it for land to a farmer, I should allow him to have it for free because that is the way I would like him to free because that is the way I would like him to treat me, correct? treat me, correct?

Should the retail store sell everything at cost, Should the retail store sell everything at cost, because shopkeeper would like to buy at cost?because shopkeeper would like to buy at cost?

Should the jailer do the same and release the Should the jailer do the same and release the prisoner, because the jailer would want to be free? prisoner, because the jailer would want to be free?

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A Critique of the Golden Rule by WhatelyA Critique of the Golden Rule by Whately So the Golden Rule isn’t what you would wish, it is So the Golden Rule isn’t what you would wish, it is

what is right, fair, just and reasonablewhat is right, fair, just and reasonable What if you rented an apartment this semester and What if you rented an apartment this semester and

there was no heat for one week during the month there was no heat for one week during the month which made the apartment uninhabitable for that which made the apartment uninhabitable for that week, what would be fair and reasonable?week, what would be fair and reasonable?

So, the real design of the Golden Rule is to guard So, the real design of the Golden Rule is to guard against the danger of being blinded by self interest against the danger of being blinded by self interest

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A Horseman in the Sky by BierceA Horseman in the Sky by Bierce What did Carter Druse’s father say to him when What did Carter Druse’s father say to him when

Carter told his father he was joining the Union Carter told his father he was joining the Union Army?Army?

Did Carter do as his father instructed?Did Carter do as his father instructed? Would you have behaved in the same manner?Would you have behaved in the same manner?

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The Evil of Lying by FriedThe Evil of Lying by Fried Fried says that lying is morally wrong because it Fried says that lying is morally wrong because it

violates respect for other personsviolates respect for other persons To lie is to intend to produce an effect which To lie is to intend to produce an effect which

always has something bad about it always has something bad about it Truth is a foundational valueTruth is a foundational value What do you get when you cheat playing solitaireWhat do you get when you cheat playing solitaire

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The Evil of Lying by FriedThe Evil of Lying by Fried The moral capacity for rational choice implies the The moral capacity for rational choice implies the

capacity to recognize the matter on which choice capacity to recognize the matter on which choice is to act and to recognize the kind of result our is to act and to recognize the kind of result our choice will produce choice will produce

To lie to someone is to injure him in a way that To lie to someone is to injure him in a way that particularly touches his moral personalityparticularly touches his moral personality

Lying would be a way of injuring a person in his Lying would be a way of injuring a person in his various interests various interests

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The Evil of Lying by FriedThe Evil of Lying by Fried Lying is wrong because when I lie, I set up a Lying is wrong because when I lie, I set up a

relation which is essentially exploitative, it violates relation which is essentially exploitative, it violates the principle of respectthe principle of respect

When I lie, I am like a counterfeiter:When I lie, I am like a counterfeiter: I don’t want the market flooded with counterfeit I don’t want the market flooded with counterfeit

moneymoney I don’t want my counterfeit money back eitherI don’t want my counterfeit money back either

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A Jury of Her Peers by GlaspellA Jury of Her Peers by Glaspell What if you were one of the two women and knew What if you were one of the two women and knew

about the bird?about the bird? Is it your moral duty to tell the District Attorney Is it your moral duty to tell the District Attorney

and/or Sheriff? and/or Sheriff?

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A Jury of Her Peers by GlaspellA Jury of Her Peers by Glaspell What if you were one of the two women and knew What if you were one of the two women and knew

about the bird?about the bird? Is it your moral duty to tell the District Attorney Is it your moral duty to tell the District Attorney

and/or Sheriff? and/or Sheriff?

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel Kant believed that good or bad luck should not Kant believed that good or bad luck should not

influence ones moral judgmentinfluence ones moral judgment Whether we succeed or fail in what we try to do is Whether we succeed or fail in what we try to do is

nearly always dependant to some extent on nearly always dependant to some extent on factors beyond our controlfactors beyond our control

What has been done and what is morally judged What has been done and what is morally judged is partially determined by external by external is partially determined by external by external factorsfactors

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel Is there a moral difference between rescuing a Is there a moral difference between rescuing a

person from a burning building and then dropping person from a burning building and then dropping the person from the 12th story window during the the person from the 12th story window during the rescue?rescue?

What if the Nazis never came into power, would What if the Nazis never came into power, would those Germans who committed war crimes ever those Germans who committed war crimes ever had a chance to commit the crimes?had a chance to commit the crimes?

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel What if you were driving home and ran over a child, What if you were driving home and ran over a child,

what is your degree of moral responsibility?what is your degree of moral responsibility? What is you were speeding or driving the speed What is you were speeding or driving the speed

limitlimit What if you were talking on your cell phone or What if you were talking on your cell phone or

paying close attention or the sun was in your eyes?paying close attention or the sun was in your eyes? What is the child ran from between parked cars?What is the child ran from between parked cars?

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel What if you attempted to kill someone:What if you attempted to kill someone:

What if they died?What if they died? What if they only suffered serious physical What if they only suffered serious physical

injury?injury? What if they had on a bullet proof vest? What if they had on a bullet proof vest? Would you still have the same moral Would you still have the same moral

responsibility?responsibility?

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel What if an envious person hates the success of What if an envious person hates the success of

others, but congratulates the person for a job well others, but congratulates the person for a job well done, is this wrong?done, is this wrong?

What if someone is conceited, but they are the What if someone is conceited, but they are the very best looking or the smartest, is this wrong?very best looking or the smartest, is this wrong?

What if someone is generous, and we are not, What if someone is generous, and we are not, should we condemn that person or ourselves?should we condemn that person or ourselves?

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Moral Luck by NagelMoral Luck by Nagel What if we are never placed in a position and What if we are never placed in a position and

never have our morals tested?never have our morals tested? Abu Ghraib?Abu Ghraib? Were we judging the person, rather than the Were we judging the person, rather than the

situationsituation

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