Absolute/Relative morality Flashcards
What does deontological mean?
doing what is right means doing your duty or following the rules
What does teleological mean?
what is right or wrong depends on the end or outcome of an action
What does absolutist mean?
Something which is objective and universal, and is therefore not changeable
What does relativist mean?
Something which is subjective and can be different depending on the context of the situation.
Why is Kant and the Categorical Imperative considered an absolutist theory?
Kant says that we should act according to maxims that we would want to see as universal laws. These laws are absolutist - we can work them out logically prior to experience; they are not verified through experience (they are known ‘a priori’). The consequences of our actions are irrelevant to whether they are right or wrong
Why is Natural Law considered an absolutist theory and is it deontological or teleological?
Natural Law is often described as deontological because, in practice, it leads to a set of rules that people have a duty to follow. These rules are absolutist, because they know of no exception. However, Aquinas’ Natural Law Theory says we should try to fulfil our God-given purpose. This is teleological, as it is interested in our design or ‘end’. The primary precepts - worshipping God, living in an ordered society, reproducing etc. - are teleological: they are the ends to which all our actions should aim. The primary precepts are also absolutist
Why is situation ethics a relativist theory?
Situation Ethics says that what is right and wrong is relative to the situation. In other words, if you asked “Is it wrong to abort a foetus?” I would ask “Under what circumstances?” Clearly the outcome of my actions is of central importance here.
Why is Act utilitarianism seen as a relativist theory?
When Bentham came up with his Hedonic Calculus, he had developed a theory that allowed you to work out what was right or wrong in any given situation. Euthanasia might lead to the greatest happiness for one person and yet lead to greater unhappiness in another situation. What is right or wrong is relative to the situation, it is whatever has the best consequences (teleological).
Why is Rule Utilitarianism seen as an absolutist theory?
Mill, and many since, have adapted Bentham’s ‘act’ utlitarianism, claiming that we need to make laws based on the principle of utility (choose the laws that lead to the greater good) and then follow those laws. This means I have a duty to follow these rules, regardless of outcome. This is deontological, because it deals with the duty to follow rules. It can be seen as absolutist because there are no exceptions to the rules
Why can Virtue ethics be seen as an absolutist theory?
Some modern virtue ethicists, such as Martha Nussbaum, describe Aristotle’s theory as absolutist. It is teleological, because it is about the ends or purposes of our actions. However, Aristotle is saying (according to Nussbaum) that certain ends or goals are absolute - it is always good to be honest, kind, courageous etc.
Why can Virtue ethics be seen as a relativist theory?
Other modern virtue ethicists say that values change, and different societies hold up different virtues as desirable. What is virtuous, according to MacIntyre, is relative to the context - relative to culture, varying throughout history. Virtue ethics is teleological, focussing on the ends or purposes of our actions. These ends or purposes vary from one society to another throughout time.
What are the criticisms of absolutist ethics?
Absolutist ethics are inflexible
It puts rules before people
Following absolutist rules doesn’t necessarily lead to a better society
Sometimes the end does justify the means
It is elitist and intolerant of other cultures and societies
What are the criticisms of relativist ethics?
Relativism makes it hard to criticise horrific acts like those of the Nazis
People need rules and society cannot function without laws
It is much harder to apply relativist theories
What do you do if two relativists disagree?
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”
What is cultural relativism and why is it a weak theory?
You may have studied Cultural Relativism. Cultural relativism is a very weak ethical position. It doesn’t really allow ethics to happen, because it claims that the right thing to do is to follow the rules of your society. It also doesn’t acknowledge that any society has a variety of rules that may contradict - which do you follow?
What does the Whittaker family example show?
Michelle and Jayson Whitaker have a three-year old son, Charlie, who suffers from Diamond Blackfan Anaemia (DBA), a rare form of anaemia where the bone marrow produces few, or no, red blood cells. They needed a bone marrow transplant within a 18 months for there to be any chance of success. The absolute, inflexible law said that PGD to select a suitable donor would be a risk to the new (donor) life, and as there is no benefit in screening (it wasn’t an inherited condition) they could not screen. Many people would say that the individual situation of the Whitakers, who wanted another child anyway but wanted to increase the odds of getting a donor, demanded an individual approach.
