ethical decision making Flashcards
define ethics
ethics is the study of principles and methods guiding how and why people make decisions about human behaviour
explain what makes an issue an ethical issue
an ethical issue is an issue in which one must use their moral principles to make a decision
give an example of a moral dilemma
the issue of whether or not the death penalty should be reintroduced for certain crimes.
explain what deontology is
deontology is an ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a set of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action
define categorical imperative
the categorical imperative is something that a person must do. an imperative is categorical when it is true at all times and in all situations
what is a maxim? give an example
a maxim is a short statement that expresses a general truth or rule of conduct. an example of a maxim is “it is wrong to tell lies”
how do deontologists determine acceptable behaviour?
deontologists determine acceptable behaviour using the categorical imperative, more specifically kant’s three formulations of the categorical imperative
who was immanuel kant
immanuel kant was a german philosophy who is considered the founding father of deontology. he taught that every person has inherent dignity and it is wrong to treat a person as a resource or tool
what were kant’s most important categorical imperatives
- first formulation
the formula of universality and the law of nature
Can this action be applied to all of humanity? - second formulation
the formula of humanity?
always treat humanity, never simply as a means to an end,l but always at the same time as an end - third formulation
the formula of autonomy
we must will something, that we could at the same time freely will of ourselves
what is kant’s formula of humanity
always treat humanity, never simply as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end
what is absolute moral worth
we are imbued with an absolute moral worth which means we shouldn’t be manipulated or manipulate other autonomous agents for our own benefit
list 2 advantages of deontology
- deontology doesnt require weighing the costs and benefits of a situation
- the rigid structure of deontology means decision making isnt blurred by emotion
list 2 disadvantages of deontology
- the lack of concern for consequences can sometimes be disasterous
- no two people can have the same sense of goodwill as their life experiences will be different
name the individuals associated with utilitarianism
-jeremy bentham, english philosopher, founder of modern utilitarianism
-john stuart mill, english philosopher, member of parliament
-epicurus, ancient greek philosopherm hedonsit as he focused his life on maximising pleasure
define utilitarianism
utilitarianism is the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of the majority, or that an action is right in so far as it promotes happiness
how is utilitarianism different to deontology?
unlike deontology, where the morality of an action is evaluated by the nature of the action, not its consequences, in utilitarianism the justification for an action is decided by whetehr the action would bring the greatets happiness to the most people
describe the principle of utility
Bentham’s principle of utility
1. recognises the fundamental role of pain and pleasure in human life
2. approves or disapproves of an action on the basis of the amount of pain or pleasure brought about by the consequences 3. equates good with pleasure an evil with pain and 4. asserts that pain and pleasure are capable of quantification slash measure
state 2 positives of utilitarianism
- the weighing of individual actions in terms of their consequences allows for meaningful and firm ethical rules without requiring that everyone be treated identically no matter how different the particular situation 2. it is very democratic as the society or collective supersedes the individual
state 2 negatives of utilitarianism
- it focuses on total utility and doesn’t consider how utility is distributed among the population and 2. because people have different notions of happiness comparisons between people don’t work well
define rule utilitarianism
a form of utilitarianism that says an action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good
give examples of act and rule utilitarianism
act
a pharmaceutical company releasing a drug that has been governmentally approved with known side effects because the drug is able to help more people that then bothered by the minus side effects
rule
airlines have business and economy class seats customers who fly first class pay higher rates but get more amenities the higher prices paid your business sit business seats help to ease the airlines financial burden created by making room for economy class seats
reasoning
reasoning is the act of thinking about something in a logical sensible way
conscience
conscience is the whole person body soul and intellect trying to make judgement about right and wrong
conscience
intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively without the need for conscious reasoning
common sense
common sense is sound practical judgement concerning everyday matters or a basic ability to perceive understand and judge in a manner that is shared by nearly all people
assumptions
assumptions of things that are accepted as true or as certain to happen without proof
authority
authoritie’s are the power or right to give orders make decisions an enforce obediance
worldviews
worldviews are collectives collections of attitudes values stories and expectations about the world around us which in format every thought and action
values
values are individual beliefs that manipulate motivate people to act one way or another they serve as a guide for human behaviour
codes of behaviour
codes of behaviour a set of rules and Prince principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group
obligation
obligation is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound
stakeholder
stakeholder is a person group or organisation with I’m interest or stake in the decisionmaking
