Module 1: Common Ethical Theories

Question 1

The discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong.

Its subject consists of the fundamental issues of practical decision making, and its major concerns include the nature of ultimate value and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong.

Answer 1

Ethics (Moral Philosophy)

Question 2

Ethics’ subject consists of:

Answer 2

the fundamental issue of practical decision making

Question 3

The major concerns of ethics include:

Answer 3

The nature of ultimate value

The standards of which human actions can be judged right or wrong

Question 4

The study of ethics dates back to ancient Greek times through this philosopher, who believed that the chief aim of education and philosophy is the pursuit of and love of the good itself, rather than any particular good thing.

Answer 4

Socrates

Question 5

What is the critical element in morality?

Answer 5

The need to make decisions regarding fairly difficult issues

Question 6

What do the common ethical theories all have in common?

Answer 6

Identifies what it means to do the right thing
Assumes that people have free choice to make their own rational decisions
Goal is to generally contribute to the well-being of humanity
Distinguish obligations and responsibilities from choice and personal preference.

Question 7

What should an ethical theory provide?

Answer 7

An ethical theory should provide guidance, by pointing the way on questions here we don’t have clear rules already

Question 8

This ethical theory states that there is no universal moral norm of right and wrong. Different individuals or groups of people can have completely opposite views or moral problem, and both can be right. Different environments spawn different ethics.

Answer 8

Relativism

Question 9

What are the two kinds of relativism?

Answer 9

Subjective Relativism
Cultural Relativism

Question 10

This type of relativism holds that each person decides right and wrong for himself/herself. (e.g., Reproductive Health Bill)

“What’s right for you may not be right for me”

Answer 10

Subjective Relativism

Question 11

Cases Against subjective Relativism

Answer 11

Well-meaning and intelligent people disagree on moral issues (e.g. taxation and wealth disparity)

Ethical debates are disagreeable and often leads nowhere.

People are good at rationalizing bad behavior.

No moral distinction between actions.

Question 12

This type of relativism holds that meaning of “right” and “wrong” rests with a society’s actual moral guidelines. Guidelines vary widely from place to place and from time to time.

Particular action may be wrong in a society at one time and wrong in another society or in another time.

Answer 12

Cultural Relativism

Question 13

Case Against Cultural Relativism

Answer 13

It doesn’t explain how moral guidelines are determined.

Cultural norms may not be accepted across the board.

It provides no way out for cultures in conflict.

Existence of many acceptable practices does not imply all practices are acceptable.

Just because two societies do have different moral views , doesn’t mean they ought to have different views.

Question 14

This ethical theory is based on the idea that good actions are those aligned with the will of God and bad actions are those contrary to the will of God. Since the Holy Book contains God’s directions, we can use the Holy Book as moral decision-making guides.

This theory is based on obedience, not reason.

Answer 14

Divine Command Theory

Question 15

Cases Against Divine Theory

Answer 15

Base on obedience not reason.

Society is multicultural and secular.

Different Holy books disagree.

Some moral problems are not addressed in the scriptures

Question 16

This ethical theory states that the consequence of an action justifies the moral acceptability of the means taken to reach that end. It is the consequence of an action which determines whether or not the action is moral.

The results of the action prevail over any other consideration. It holds that evaluating results, is more important than evaluating the actions. Thus rightness or wrongness of actions is definable in terms of the goodness or badness of the result.

“The end will justify the means”

Answer 16

Consequentialism

Question 17

The philosophy under consequentialism that states that each person should focus exclusively on his or her self interest.

The morally right action for a person to take in a particular situation is the action that will provide that person with the maximum long-term benefit.

Answer 17

Ethical egoism

Question 18

The philosophy under consequentialism that the right action is the one that produces the most intrinsic good for everyone affected.

Utility equates to happiness, which depending on the context may mean an advantage, a benefit, good, pleasure or profit

“The greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

Answer 18

Utilitarianism

Question 19

The principle of utility in Utilitarianism

Answer 19

The Greatest Happiness Principle

Question 20

Critiques of Utilitarianism

Answer 20

Could result in harming some for the sake of the majority.

Adding up consequences requires that we calculate them all in the same units of measurement.

Ignores innate sense of duty.

Question 21

This ethical theory is an obligation-based theory that emphasizes the type of action rather than the consequences of that action. Everyone should be treated equally and respectfully.

Moral decisions should be made based on one’s duties and the rights of others.

Human interaction -> categorical imperative, yourself and other people are the ends and never only as a means to an end.

“Act morally regardless of the consequences.”

Answer 21

Kantianism / Deontology

Question 22

The chief author of Kantianism/Deontology who lived in the 18th century.

Answer 22

Immanuel Kant

Question 23

Deontologists believe what?

Answer 23

That moral decisions should be made based on one’s duties and the rights of others

Question 24

According to Kant, morality is based on what?

Answer 24

Pure reason