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Ethics > Ethical Theories > Flashcards

Ethical Theories Flashcards

1
Q

What are ethics

A

Ethics examine right and wrong from the perspective of a human being instead of nature for example

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2
Q

What are business ethics

A

The study of business situations, activities, and decisions where issues of right and wrong are addressed

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3
Q

Ethical egoism ; when is an action morally right

A

An action is morally right if the decision maker freely decides in order to pursue either their short term desires or their long term interests

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4
Q

Problems with ethical egoism

A

¬ inconsistent (condones immoral wrongs since anything goes as long as egoists needs are served)
¬ moral view based on short term satisfaction is contradictory to moral principles
¬ can lead to problems due to conflicting interests
¬ taking care of own interests is morally important, but theory needs to be complemented by another

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5
Q

Ethical egoism authors

A

Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand

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6
Q

Self driving car: if ethical egoist is buying

A

Would protect people inside the car

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7
Q

Self driving car: if ethical egoist was manufacturing car

A

Would aim to serve egoist customers to sell more cars

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8
Q

Utilitarianism: An act is morally right if:

A

If the act results in the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people affected by the action
(Cost benefit analysis)

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9
Q

Utilitarianism authors

A

Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill

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10
Q

Act utilitarianism

A

Whether a single act is right or wrong depends on the amount of common good it produces

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11
Q

Rule utilitarianism

A

Focuses on creating rules that produce the most common good

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12
Q

Problems with utilitarianism

A

Utilitarian good is subjective, context dependent, and difficult to compare between people
Runs into difficulties in questions related to just distribution of wealth
Can be contradictory with idea of respecting basic rights
Maximizing is not the best approach to addressing all values
Does not include idea of reciprocity

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13
Q

Self driving car: what would an act utilitarian do

A

Should conduct cost / benefit analysis of what causes most benefit and least harm in each situation
Aim to harm as few as possible

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14
Q

Self driving car: what would rule utilitarian do

A

Self driving cars should minimize casualties. Should be introduced only if they are likely to make driving in general safer

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15
Q

Ethics of duties

A

Duties involve humans ability to develop moral laws and moral rules
Developed categorical imperatives
Central concepts: duty, consistency, dignity, universality

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16
Q

Ethics of duties author

A

Immanuel Kant

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17
Q

Categorical imperatives of ethics of duties

A

Universal applicability
Respect for persons

18
Q

Universal applicability ethics of duties:

A

Check that the principle is acceptable to every human being

19
Q

Respect for persons ethics of duties

A

A human being is a valuable autonomical being, not a means to an end or tool

20
Q

Problems with ethics of duties

A

Ethics of duties is difficult and abstract theory
Morality can be seen as heavy burden to bear
Morality founded too much on use of reason
Undervalues outcomes of actions

21
Q

Application to self driving car: what would someone following ethics of duties do?

A

Should determine general rules that apply to all
Ex. If the owner of the car is seen as responsible, then the persons inside the car should be sacrificed
Rule example: the one who generates mobility risks cannot sacrifice non involved individuals

22
Q

Rights and justice

A

Ethical theory based on the rights and justice of every human being
Key ideas: veil of ignorance; social contract

23
Q

Natural human rights

A

Basic, important, inalienable entitlements that should be respected and protected in every single situation
Based on human dignity and lead to DUTY to protect, respect and support them

24
Q

Main natural rights

A

Right to life, freedom, property, speech, privacy, conscience, and fair trial among others

25
Q

Authors rights and justice

A

John Locke, John Rawls

26
Q

Justice

A

The simultaneous fair treatment of individuals in a given situation with the result that everybody gets what they deserve

27
Q

Problems with rights and justice

A

Arbitrary: too western and neocolonial
Presuppose insitutions that allow for recourse in case of breach
No practical guidance in extreme situations

28
Q

Self driving car: what would someone following rights and justice perspective do

A

Cannot discriminate by age, gender, physical appearance, status
Cannot take someone’s life for crossing a red light
Justice perspective: entire traffic systems need to be fair considering ex those who cannot afford a car and that individuals ex should not change settings to protect themselves

29
Q

Consideration of egoism

A

Ones own interests

30
Q

Questions of egoism

A

Is this really my [or my organizations] best long term interests?
Would it be acceptable and expected of me to think only of the consequences to myself in this situation?

31
Q

Considerations utilitarianism

A

Social consequences

32
Q

Questions utilitarianism

A

If i consider all of the possible consequences of my actions, for everyone that is affected, will we be better or worse off overall?
How likely are these consequences and how significant are they?

33
Q

Consideration ethics of duty

A

Duties to others

34
Q

Questions ethics of duty

A

Who do i have obligations to in this situation?
What would happen if everyone acted in the same way as me?
Am I treating people only to get what i want for myself [or organization] or am i thinking also of what they might want to?

35
Q

Ethics of rights consideration

A

Entitlements of others

36
Q

Ethics of rights questions

A

Whose right so i need to consider here?
Am i respecting fundamental rights and peoples need for dignity?

37
Q

Considerations ethics of justice

A

Fairness

38
Q

Considerations ethics of justice

A

Fairness

39
Q

Questions ethics of justice

A

Am i treating everyone fairly here?
Have processes been set up to allow everyone an equal chance?
Are there major disparities between the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ that could be avoided?

40
Q

Pluralism

A

Aims to find a contextually appropriate balance and consensus that takes into consideration different perspective

41
Q

Alternative theories to normative ones

A

Virtue ethics
Feminist ethics
Discourse ethics
Post modern ethics

42
Q

Ethical absolutism, relativism and pluralism

A

Ethical absolutism: universal right and wrong regardless of context
Ethical relativism: right and wrong depends on situation and culture
Ethical pluralism: mix of both where universal principles and different ethical perspectives are both acknowledged

Ethics (9 decks)

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