Ethics

1. Ethics Ethical Theory and Applied Ethics Part III

2. 8. Methods of resolving or understanding ethical questions. 9. Ethical theories 10. Utilitarianism 11. Kantian ethics 12. Communitarian ethics

3. 9. Ethical theories Ethical theories are general abstract principles or rules that help one determine what actions are the right one. Ethical theories, therefore, are what help us choose and select our actions.

4. 10. Utilitarianism • Utilitarianism states that the right action is the action that produces the most happiness for the greatest number of people. • Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory because the value of the action is determined by the consequences of the action. • It is based on the Principle of Utility because the total amount of happiness produced is what determines the rightness or wrongness of actions. • It is impartial because it takes into consideration all people equally.

5. Principle of of Utility • Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory because the value of the action is determined by the consequences of the action. • It is based on the Principle of Utility because the total amount of happiness produced is what determines the rightness or wrongness of actions. • It is impartial because it takes into consideration all people equally.

6. Happiness • Happiness has been a central concept in ethics since Aristotle. • It is problematic because what makes people happy and vary from person to person. • There are 2 main views on Happiness: (1) Bentham’s and (2) Mill’s. • Bentham argued that happiness was best measured by physical pleasure and pain. • This view is also referred to as hedonism.

7. Happiness • (2) Mill argues that emotional and intellectual happiness are superior to physical pleasure and pains. • Therefore, according to Mill, we need to take into consideration how our actions affect people not only physically but also psychologically.

8. 11. Kantian ethics • Kantian ethics is deontological because it emphasizes the value of the action itself. • We should keep promises because it is the right thing to do, and NOT because of the consequences it produces. • According to deontology some actions have intrinsic moral value and you ought to perform them regardless of the consequences. • We have a DUTY (deon) to tell the truth, respect others, etc.

9. Kant • Kant referred to the actions that we had an absolute duty to perform as the categorical imperative. • First formulation: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.” • Second formulation: “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.”

10. Communitarian ethics • The communitarian approach considers right and wrong action as it pertains to the group or community. • This is different than utilitarianism and deontology that are concerned with morality from purely individualistic perspective. • Communitarians are interested in promoting and preserving shared values and the common good.

11. Liberals versus Libertarians • The conception of liberals can be traced to John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty where he argued that individuals should have as much liberty as possible. • This means that a government should never interfere with an individuals liberty. • The individual’s liberty ought to extend to the point at which it either harms another individual or it interferes with another’s liberty.

12. Liberals vs. Libertarians. • Liberals adopt this views for most social issues but not for economic issues. Instead liberals advocate a social-economic safety net for the more vulnerable in society. Therefore, they support government intervention and regulation in many aspects of society. • Libertarian adopt the the liberty principle consistently throughout and advocate NO or as little as possible government intervention. • In place of the government they argue that the market place ought to resolve societal issues.