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EthicalReasoning

Utilitarian(comparing

cost &benefit)

Rights(determining &

protectingentitlements )

Justice(is it fair)

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Ethical

Theories

Normative Descriptive

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NormativeEthics

HolisticTheory

Eternal Ethics Empiricalethics

TeleologicalTheory

EthicalEgoism UtilitarianPrinciples

DeontologicalTheory

RightsPrinciple JusticePrinciple

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Never let your sense of morals get in theway of doing what's right. ~ Isaac Asimov.

When morality comes up against profit, itis seldom that profit loses. ~ ShirleyChisholm

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Virtue Ethics: An action is right iff it is whatthe virtuous agent would do.1. An action is right iff it is what a virtuousagent would do in the circumstances;

1a. A virtuous agent is one who actsvirtuously, i.e., one who has & exercises thevirtues.2 A virtue is a character trait a human beingneeds to flourish or live well. What is essentialis to note the conceptual link between virtue& flourishing (living well or eudaimonia).

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Deontological Ethics: An action is right if it is inaccordance with a moral rule or principle.A moral rule is one that is:-

(a) laid on us by God,(b) required by natural law,(c) laid on us by reason,(d) required by rationality,(e) would command universal rational acceptance,(f) would be the object of choice of all rational

beings.What is essential is the link between right action,

moral rule, & rationality.

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Based on religion Hinduism, Jainism,Buddhism, Islamism, etc.

Stands true for ever.Empirical ethics based on knowledge /experience.

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Deontological Ethics: An action is right if it is inaccordance with a moral rule or principle.A moral rule is one that is:-

(a) laid on us by God,(b) required by natural law,(c) laid on us by reason,(d) required by rationality,(e) would command universal rational acceptance,(f) would be the object of choice of all rational

beings.What is essential is the link between right action,

moral rule, & rationality.

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TeleologicalTheories

The rightnessof actions Consequences

Hold Is determined by

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We choose the actions thatbring about the best outcomes:

- Egoism: we should always act to maximize our ownindividual interests.

- Utilitarianism: we should act to maximize the happinessof all affected by the action.

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moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest The general theory of normative egoism does not attemptto describe human nature directly, but asserts how peopleought to behave. It comes in two general forms: rationalegoism and ethical egoism.Ethical egoism is the normative theory that the promotionof ones own good is in accordance with morality. In thestrong version, it is held that it is always moral to promoteones own good, and it is never moral not to promote it. In

the weak version, it is said that although it is always moralto promote ones own good, it is not necessarily nevermoral to not. That is, there may be conditions in which theavoidance of personal interest may be a moral action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_agencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-interesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-interesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-interesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-interesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_agency

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Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theorythat places the locus of right and wrong solely

on the outcomes (consequences) of choosingone action/policy over other actions/policies.As such, it moves beyond the scope of one'sown interests and takes into account theinterests of others.

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1. Recognizes the fundamental role of pain and pleasure in

human life.2. approves or disapproves of an action on the basis of the

amount of pain or pleasure brought about i.e, consequences.3. equates good with pleasure and evil with pain, and (4) assertsthat pleasure and pain are capable of quantification (andhence 'measure').

4. In measuring pleasure and pain, Bentham introduces thefollowing criteria: INTENSITY, DURATION, CERTAINTY (or

UNCERTAINTY), and its NEARNESS (or FARNESS). He alsoincludes its "fecundity" (will more of the same follow?) and its"purity" (its pleasure won't be followed by pain & vice versa).In considering actions that affect numbers of people, we mustalso account for its EXTENT.

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1. It is not the quantity of pleasure, but the qualityof happiness that is central to utilitarianism,

2. Qualities cannot be quantified (there is adistinction between 'higher' and 'lower'pleasures), and

3. Utilitarianism refers to "the Greatest Happiness

Principle" -- it seeks to promote the capabilityof achieving happiness (higher pleasures) forthe most amount of people (this is its "extent").

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This theory that holds that an act isright or wrong according to theutility or value of its consequences.

An act that produces more goodthan harm has greater value than

act that produces more harm thangood.

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Utilitarianism believe in the value of ethical laws inhelping people determine which action willprobably bring about the greatest good for thegreatest number of people.

While they are not against laws or values(antinomians), they are not absolutists either.

Every act is judged by its results, not by it intrinsicand universal value.

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In order to do determine the best consequence, someargue that you must add up the happiness in oneperson and then multiply the total happiness in the

total number of people and subtract the total pain.If the result is positive then the action is good.If the result is negative then the action is bad.

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Uses of Utilitarian Ethics in terms of Pleasure vs. Pain(Peter Singer):

1. When we testify the safety of a new shampoo, wedrip the shampoo in concentrated form into the eyeof rabbits, causing them terrible pain. But doesshampoo leaving your hair lustrous and manageable,sufficient to justify the infliction of so much suffering?

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3. Utilitarian Ethics and Public Policy:

If we are trying to decide whether a new footballstadium with luxury boxes for the very rich is a betterinvestment than decent inner-city schools and healthcare for the poor, is utilitarian calculations a betterguide for making such decisions than deontologicalethics?

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Consequentialists believe that consequencesare the only things that matter:

A. We do not necessarily know the outcome.

B. The consequences of our own action may

be unpredictable.

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We should choose actions based on their inherent,intrinsic worth; evangelical approaches to ethics aredeontological because it presupposes Scripture asrevelation.

Deontological comes from the Greek worddeon , meaning that which is binding, in particular a binding duty. So, you are bound to your duty.