Introduction to Ethics ( Quinn Chapter 2)

1. Introduction to Ethics(Quinn Chapter 2) CS4001 Kristin Marsicano

2. What theories does Quinn reject? • Briefly define each of the four rejected theories and why they are rejected.

3. What theories does Quinn reject? • Subjective Relativism • Cultural Relativism • Divine Command Theory • Ethical Egoism

4. Quinn’s Criteria • A “workable” theory allows its proponents to • examine moral problems • reach conclusions based on reasoning from facts or commonly accepted values • defend these conclusions in front of a skeptical yet open minded audience

5. Subjective Relativism • Each person decides what is right/wrong for them • What’s right for you may not be right for me • Self-defeating – letting everyone decide for themselves means we can’t determine the morality of actions

6. Cultural Relativism • Each society decides what is right/wrong for them • E.g. Would you testify that your friend was going slow in a court of law? • 90% of Norwegians say no • 75% Americans and Canadians say no • 50% of Mexicans say no • 10% of Yugoslavians say no

7. Cultural Relativism • Not workable because… • it suggests that there are no universal moral guidelines • gives more weight to traditions than facts and reason • not useful for making persuasive ethical evaluations for a large audience • Shouldn’t always discount though…e.g. consider data protection across international boundaries

8. Divine Command Theory • God says what is right/wrong • Moral guidelines are not the result of a logical progression from a set of underlying principles • Does not produce arguments that can persuade skeptical listeners with differing religious beliefs • Does not work for ethical debate in a secular society

9. Ethical Egoism • Each person should focus exclusively on his/her own self-interest. • Does not recognize that in order to reap the benefits of living in community, individuals have some obligations to other people.

10. Workable Theories • Kantianism • Act Utilitarianism • Rule Utilitarianism • Social Contract Theory