Lecture 2 Ethical Theories and the Environment (Ch2) Flashcards
What is the importance of the 3 ethical theories (normative and philosophical ethics; and ethical theory) according to Dejardin?
they are the reasoning patterns about ethics that have been systematically developed and evaluated by generations of philosphers;
they not only provide a common language, but influence tradition and thought
What is normative ethics?
judgements/advice
(judgements we make all the time)
should/ought:
(what we should and should not do, focused on what we and many others do)
What is philosophical ethics?
evaluate/judge the normative judgements and the reasons behind them
(primary focus on what philosophers do)
What is ethical theory?
an attempt to address the questions raised by both of the normative and philosophical ethics in a systematic way
What is the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis (Whorfian hypothesis) ?
the vocabulary that we use will shape/influence the ways that we think
What is the natural law theory? (natural teleology)
natural entities have intrinsic purposes, regardless of human use or opinion.
traditionally, it includes virtues (should/ought) see page 29 for examples.
understands the relation of ethics to self-interest as non-competitive
raises questions of what is good for individuals vs groups
What did Aristotle say about the natural law theory (natural teleology)?
Physical knowledge is of multiple types and causes
- material (what an object is made from)
- formal (how matter is organized to make the object what it is)
- efficient (how the formal aspect happens)
- final (purpose or typical activity of object)
What did Aquinas do?
he further developed the natural law theory (natural teleology) to include the divine plan in natural laws
What did Hume say about the natural law theory (natural teleology)?
he argued that normative judgements cannot be based solely on natural fact
example: the fact that something happens, does not mean it is right, or we “should” do something specifically - it does not provide the “should”
example: Sin is not necessarily “should”
What is the tragedy of the commons?
Individuals act independently and rationally according to their own self-interest, by depleting some common resource.
They behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group
(people tend to get as much for themselves, not trying to help each other)
What is the goal of utilitarianism?
aims to maximize “good”: wants the greatest good for the greatest number
it is a cost/benefit analysis: also want to minimize the costs
is consequentialism: a morally right act is one that will produce a good outcome, or consequence.
The example of “grandma” illustrates an extreme form of which ethical orientation?
utilitarianism:
You have a rich grandma who does not give you money yet because does not like you. You are very nice person, involved in charities, but you are not rich. You can save several lives with the money. You kill grandma with minimal cost, but results in more benefit for more people.
What is the pareto improvements?
the improvement that you make will make something better for AT LEAST 1 PERSON, but NOT ANY WORSE for anyone
what is hedonistic utilitarianism?
questions the objective/universal good such as “pleasure or absence of pain”
what is preference utilitarianism?
questions the objective/universal good such as “are desires satisfied?”
