Ethical Theories Flashcards
Definition of Utilitarianism:
ethical theory that holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being.
Consequentialism
ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined by its outcomes or consequences.
Hedonism
ethical theory that pleasure or happiness is the highest good and the ultimate goal of life.
Greatest happiness principle
the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.
Objection and reply to utilitarianism
mill argued that higher pleasures are more valuable because they contribute more to human flourishing.
Advantages of Utilitarianism
Practical and Democratic: It provides a clear, straightforward method for decision-making by focusing on maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people.
Impartiality: Every individual’s happiness is considered equally, promoting fairness and equality in moral decision-making.
Flexibility: Utilitarianism can be applied to a wide range of situations, adapting to different contexts and challenges.
Focus on Consequences: By emphasizing outcomes, utilitarianism encourages actions that result in tangible benefits, promoting the welfare of society as a whole.
Counterexamples to Utilitarianism
Justice and Rights: Utilitarianism might justify actions that violate individual rights or justice if they lead to greater overall happiness. For example, punishing an innocent person to prevent unrest could be deemed acceptable, even though it’s unjust.
Moral Integrity: Utilitarianism may require actions that conflict with an individual’s moral integrity or deeply held values. For instance, lying or betraying trust could be justified if it leads to greater happiness, but this may undermine moral character.
Quality of Pleasures: Utilitarianism focuses on quantity, potentially overlooking the quality of pleasures. For example, a life of mere physical pleasure might be seen as equal to a life of intellectual fulfillment, which critics argue is a significant flaw.
Long-term Consequences: Utilitarianism can struggle with accurately predicting long-term consequences, leading to potentially harmful decisions made in the short term that ultimately do more harm than good.
Kantian Deontology
ethical theory developed by Immanuel Kant, which argues that morality is based on adherence to duty and universal moral laws, rather than consequences.
Problems with common notions of ethics:
Virtues: Lacks clear action guidance and is subjective, varying across cultures.
Golden Rule: Assumes everyone has the same preferences, ignoring individual differences.
Counterexample to Kantian ethics
A murderer asks where your friend is hiding, and lying would save their life. According to Kantian ethics, lying is always wrong, as it violates the Universalizability
