5 & 6 Theories

Question 1

5 Ethical Theories - U.DEVS

Answer 1

Utilitarianism
Deontological
Ethics of Care
Virtue & Personal Ethics
Social Contract Theory

Question 2

Utilitarianism

Answer 2

Principle: a moral person makes decisions and acts in a way that maximizes the well-being of everyone & causes the least amount of
> desired moral outcome is utility
> maximize well-being & minimize pain
> “do maximum good & minimum harm” vs “ends justifies means”
Two camps: Rule and Act

Question 3

John Stuart Mill

Answer 3

founding father of Utilitariansim
> Pursuit of higher pleasures over lower ones
>Quality pleasures over quantity of gratification
>Not to pursue one’s own happiness, but happiness of all

Question 4

Useful Utilitarianism Questions (MUCH)

Answer 4

Boatright - focus human well-being, make situation-specific decisions based on

1. Maximalism - what are we measuring?
2. Universalism - consider universal happiness
3. Consequentialism
4. Hedonism - what pleasure or harm for whom?

Question 5

Strengths of Utilitarianism

Answer 5

Straight-forward, easy to use

Appeals to human nature (pain avoidance, pleasure seeking)

Leads us to consider all possible consequences

Seeks to advance human well-being, flourishing & happiness

Question 6

Weaknesses of Utilitarianism

Answer 6

Prioritizes collective over individuals or minorities – permits using or harming one or more people for benefit of all

Measurement – how do you quantify pain, good, or happiness?

Humans are notoriously bad at identifying all possible consequences

Fails to account for justice

Could be taken to extreme to justify any action that produces a good outcome

Question 7

Kant’s Key Concerns

Do More Reasoning, DUH!

Answer 7

DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS
Doing what's right
Motive
Rational Thinking
Duty trumps self interest
Universal laws
human dignity

Question 8

Kant’s categorical imperative

Answer 8

1) the primary formulation
- act only on principles you would want everyone else to follow

2) the secondary formulation
- respect human dignity of every individual

Question 9

Strengths of Kant

Answer 9

Rational, easy to use formulas for decision-making

Aims for universal moral laws

Respect for human dignity

Seems fair & just; everyone treated equally

Question 10

Weaknesses of Kant

Answer 10

Inflexible – no consideration for context, outcome, consequence, emotion

Can appear cold & emotional

Question 11

Useful Kantian Questions (know 1)

- tie back to key concerns lol

Answer 11

• what would happen if this action became universal law?
• am i respecting the dignity of this person?
• is self-interest influencing my thinking?