Ethical Theories Ethical Perspectives

1. There is no real ethical theory. What one person believes is intolerable, duty, etc., is not right for every person in every circumstance.

2. Ethical TheoriesEthical Perspectives Teleological (Aristotle) • Telos – Greek root meaning goal, purpose or end, logos meaning study • Having to do with the design or purpose of something • Looking for the end – not as an end point, but as a completion, as fullness. • Seeking to understand the ultimate goal, purpose or end of something

3. Aristotle's Ethical Theory • Humans find happiness within community • To be happy is to live well and do well • Human activity aims to achieving the • good – happiness • The highest form of happiness is based on • rational behaviour – live an ethical life • How do you accomplish this • according to Aristotle? • Be moderate in all things • Absolute good can be found only in God • Good is inscribed by God into the nature • of all things (innate) • To find the good in anything is to discover • its purpose • A person develops good character by acting • virtuously – virtues control passions

4. Aristotle’s Main Ideas Main Idea: Vision or purpose or ends What is good? Human activity aims to achieving the good What motivates humans? Humans find happiness within community Moral guidelines: Values Life Orientation: Goals Requirements: Imagination Strengths: Vision, direction Weaknesses: Irrelevancy; ends justify the means

5. Deontological (Kant) • Deon – Greek word meaning duty • Asking questions like – What is my duty? What is my duty as a Catholic? • To do what is right Kant’s Ethical Theory • Ethics are a matter of one’s inner conviction and autonomy • A human act is morally good when it is done for the sake of duty • The use of reason is central to moral life – duty is determined by principles How do you accomplish this according to Kant? • I must act in such a way that the principles according to which I act should become universal law • The only good is good will • Good is only good if it is done out of good will and provides not personal gain • Moral acts are performed out of duty and obligation • Reason dictates what is good

6. Kant’s Main Ideas Main Idea: Duties and structures What is good? A human act is morally good when it is done for the sake of duty What motivates humans? “I must act in such a way that the principles according to which I act should become universal law Moral guidelines: Rules Life Orientation: Duties Requirements: Responsibility Strengths: Structure, organization Weaknesses: Bureaucracy; blindly following orders

7. Relational (Levinas) • Starting with the other, not with ourselves • Face to face with the other who calls me to be • ethical • Levinas’ Ethical Theory • The central question in philosophy is: where • is the Good? • Each thing or person is a unique expression • of the Good • The face of another calls me to respond • How do you accomplish this according to Levinas? • Goodness translates into responsibility for the Other (turn away from own desires and interests) • The infinite Good (God) is at the heart of ethics • The good comes as a vocation (not from myself)

8. Levinas’ Main Ideas • Main Idea: Encounter with • the other • What is good? • The central questions is: • where is the good? • What motivates humans? • The face of the other calls me • to respond • Moral Guidelines: Needs • Life Orientation: Others • Requirements: Involvement • Strengths: Heart, grounding • Weaknesses: Sentimentality – people wear masks