Ethical Theories Flashcards
What is Meta ethics?
Meta-Ethics (“Meta” meaning “beyond or after”) looks at where our ethical beliefs come from and what they mean. They focus on the issues of universal truths, the will of God, the role of reason in ethical judgments. And the meaning of ethical terms themselves.
What is applied Ethics?
Applied ethics involves examining specific controversial issues, such as abortion, infanticide, animal rights, environmental concerns, homosexuality, capital punishment, or nuclear war.
What is normative ethics?
Normative Ethics (“Norms” relating to a set of standards or related to actions) takes on a more practical task, which is to arrive at moral standards that regulate right and wrong behaviour. In a sense it is a litmus test of proper behaviour.
The Golden Rule is an example of a normative theory that establishes a single principle against which we judge all actions. What is the Golden Rule?
The Golden Rule is a classic example of a normative principle: We should do to others what we would want others to do to us. Since I don’t want my neighbour to steal my car, then it is wrong for me to steal her car. So based on the Golden Rule, it would also be wrong to lie to, harass, bully, assault or kill others.
What are three normative theories?
Virtue theories
Duty theories
Utilitarianism
What is a Virtue Theory?
Virtue ethics stresses the importance of developing good habits of character, such as benevolence. Historically it is one of the oldest normative traditions in Western philosophy, having its roots in ancient Greek civilisation. Plato emphasised four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Other important virtues are fortitude, generosity, self-respect and good temper and sincerity. In addition to advocating good habits of character, virtue theorists hold that we should avoid acquiring bad character traits, or vices, such as cowardice, insensibility, injustice, and vanity.
In the Middle Ages Catholic theologians added three Christian virtues to the above and these are , faith, hope and charity.
When referring to benevolence in virtue theories, it is an example of:
Once I have acquired benevolence, for example, I will then habitually act in a benevolent manner
What does virtue theories place emphasis on?
Virtue theory emphasises moral education since virtuous character traits are developed in one’s youth. Adults, therefore, are responsible for instilling virtues in the young.
Weaknesses of Virtue theories:
Virtue theory does not provide us with clear moral advice. It doesn’t provide us with a clear way of deciding between two potentially virtuous alternatives. For example: Should I donate money to a local homeless charity or aid famine relief overseas?
What is Duty Theories?
Duty theories base morality on specific foundational principle of obligation, irrespective of the consequences that might follow from our actions. For example, it is wrong to not care for our children even if it results in some great benefit, such as financial savings.
Good will is not concerned with the results of an action, but with the intention behind the action. The person of good will acts solely in accordance with duty and for the sake of duty.
What is the most well known duty based theory?
The most well-known duty-based theory is the one proposed by Immanuel Kant. He emphasises a single, self-evident principle of duty. He calls this the “Categorical Imperative.” The word “categorical” means unqualified, absolute or without exception, while the noun ‘imperative” means a command or order.
Kant gives four versions of this imperative. What is his most well-known version ?
Act in such a way that you always treat humanity whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means but always as an end.
What are some weaknesses of Duty theories?
How to reconcile a clash of duties, the undervaluing of the role of emotions are issues. In addition any philosophy that uses terms like ‘always’ and ‘never’ seems bound to run into exceptions.
What is utilitarianism?
“What is good is what leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number”.
Jeremy Bentham proposed that we tally the consequences of each action we perform and thereby determine on a case by case basis whether an action is morally right or wrong. This aspect of Bentham’s theory is known as act-utilitarianism.
Bentham also proposed that we tally the pleasure and pain which results from our actions. For Bentham pleasure and pain are the only consequences that matter in determining whether our conduct is moral. This aspect of Bentham’s theory is known as hedonistic utilitarianism.
Weaknesses of utilitarianism
Could be used to justify the oppression and exploitation of any minority by any majority. For example; Slavery might be justified as might the killing of one healthy person to save 10 others by using his or her healthy organs.
