what are right actions? Constructing an Ethical Theory

1. 9 what are right actions? Constructing an Ethical Theory

2. Are we all Sisyphus? This painting depicts the eternal punishment of Sisyphus, a figure from ancient Greek mythology who was condemned to the absurd task of eternally moving a boulder to the top of a mountain only to watch it roll down again. In this chapter, you will learn about the human quest to make morally enlightened choices and create meaningful, purposeful lives. Album/Oronoz/Newscom

3. Learning Objectives 9.1 Discuss, analyze, and apply various aspects of moral philosophy and virtue ethics. 9.2 Describe and analyze the ethical view that moral value is determined by fulfilling one's duty.

4. Learning Objectives 9.3 Define, analyze, and apply hedonism and utilitarianism. 9.4 Explain and analyze existentialism and the views of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus.

5. Learning Objectives 9.5 Discuss and apply care ethics. 9.6 Answer the question "What is our ethical responsibility to the natural world" by exploring issues in environmental ethics. 9.7 Explore the role of narratives in the study of ethics.

6. Chapter Overview Click on the screenshot in presentation mode to view a video on constructing an ethical theory.

7. 9.1 Expanding Your Knowledge of Moral Philosophy: Character and Virtue Ethics • Is it possible to find moral truths? • We will consider various philosophical attempts to construct an overarching theory that can guide our moral decisions. • What are right actions?

8. 9.1 Expanding Your Knowledge of Moral Philosophy: Character and Virtue Ethics • What are right actions? • Aristotle • Immanuel Kant • Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill • Twentieth century existentialist philosophers • Proponents of ethics of care • Virtue ethics

10. Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.). This ancient Greek philosopher and student of Plato charted a different direction from his teacher. Aristotle made major contributions to metaphysics, ethics, politics, logic, and aesthetics. He is also responsible for conceptualizing the different branches of philosophy. Pawel Wojcik/Dorling Kindersley Limited

11. 9.1 Expanding Your Knowledge of Moral Philosophy: Character and Virtue Ethics • Cultivation of a virtuous character • Aristotle's major work, The Nicomachean Ethics • Teleological view of the universe • Entelechy • The experience of acting morally • The Golden Mean • Analyzing Aristotle's virtue ethics

12. What are the highest virtues? This sculpture depicts the Christian virtues of faith (the woman holding a beacon), hope (the woman with an anchor), and charity (the woman with poor children). What three virtues do you think are most important? Heidi Grassley/Dorling Kindersley Limited

13. How do we discover the Golden Mean? If Aristotle were to speak at your college, what advice do you think he would give to students regarding how best to achieve happiness and “the good life”? Andrew Lichtenstein/The Image Works

16. 9.2 Maxims: Duty to Moral Laws • Deontologists • Immanuel Kant • Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals • Hypothetical imperative • Categorical imperative • Analyzing Kant on duty and reason

17. How can we apply the categorical imperative to environmental issues? If you were to apply Kant’s categorical imperative, what conclusion would you come to regarding the moral justification of owning a “gas-guzzling” car? Why? Gary Fabiano/Sipa Press/0904221958/Newscom

19. Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832). Bentham was a British philosopher who developed the moral theory of utilitarianism in response to the ills of industrialization. Georgios Kollidas/Shutterstock

20. 9.3 Consequences: Utilitarianism • Aristippus and Epicurus • Hedonism • The Greatest Happiness for the Greatest Number: Bentham • Utilitarianism • Psychological hedonism • Ethical hedonism • Principle of utility

21. 9.3 Consequences: Utilitarianism • Jeremy Bentham, from An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation • The Principle of Utility • The Hedonistic Calculus • Motives

22. When is censorship ethically appropriate? The hedonist goal of pursuing pleasure sometimes conflicts with social and political policy. What, if any, areas of personal pleasure do you think should be controlled or censored by the government? Why? Eric Drooker

25. John Stuart Mill (1806–1873). A British philosopher and student of Jeremy Bentham who expanded on Bentham’s concept of utilitarianism. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division[LC-USZ62-76491]

26. 9.3 Consequences: Utilitarianism • Higher Pleasures Have Greater Worth: Mill • John Stuart Mill, from Utilitarianism • Analyzing utilitarianism • Consider the Interests of Animals: Singer • Peter Singer, from Animal Liberation • Analyzing Singer on animal rights

27. Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855). This Danish philosopher challenged much of Christian philosophy while remaining deeply religious. Kierkegaard argued that life has meaning only when people reject the pursuit of pleasure and seek moral truth by looking within and recognizing their connection to the divine. Pantheon/Superstock

28. 9.4 Authenticity: Existentialist Ethics • Existentialist ethics • "The Crowd Is Untruth": Kierkegaard • Søren Kierkegaard, "On the Dedication to 'That Single Individual'" • Søren Kierkegaard, from The Present Age • Analyzing Kierkegaard on authenticity

29. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900). Nietzsche was a German philosopher who challenged the ideals of Western philosophy, including science, morality, and the notion of God. Pantheon/Superstock

30. 9.4 Authenticity: Existentialist Ethics • Beyond Good and Evil: Nietzsche • Friedrich Nietzsche, from The Gay Science • Friedrich Nietzsche, from Beyond Good and Evil • Analyzing Nietzsche on Morality

31. 9.4 Authenticity: Existentialist Ethics • Authenticity and Ethical Responsibility: Sartre • Existentialism is a Humanism • Analyzing Satre on moral responsibility • Our Interplay with Others Defines Us: de Beauvoir • Ethics of Ambiguity • Analyzing de Beauvoir on moral choices

32. Albert Camus (1913–1960). A French existentialist known for essays and novels, Camus dealt with what he felt was the absurd situation of human beings in which the world is essentially irrational, yet we still need to find meaning within it. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division[LC-USZ62-108028]

33. 9.4 Authenticity: Existentialist Ethics • Courage Is the Highest Value: Camus • "The Myth of Sisyphus" • Analyzing the Myth of Sisyphus

34. 9.5 Empathy: The Ethics of Care • Care ethics • Virginia Held • Concept of the Self • Reason and emotion • Desirable forms of emotion • Critics of care ethics • Analyzing Held on the ethics of care

35. 9.6 Environmental Ethics • Environmental philosophy • What is our place in the natural world? • What do we mean when we talk about nature? • How can we respond to environmental challenges? • How can we improve the relationship between the natural world and human technological advancement?

36. 9.6 Environmental Ethics • Environmental philosophy includes: • Environmental ethics • Ecofeminism • Environmental aesthetics • Environmental hermeneutics • Environmental theology • Rachel Carson • Lynn White

37. 9.7 Narrative Ethics • Definition of narrative ethics • Four different dimensions • Narrative ethicists view of human relationships • Complex • Changing • Emergent • Always changing

39. Making Connections: Your Moral Compass Revisited • The ultimate goal of moral philosophy • How might the theories discussed in this chapter inform your existing moral compass? • Virtue ethics • Deontology • Utilitarianism • Existentialism • Ethics of care