Moral Theories Flashcards
Definitions of moral theories
Describe Consequentialism (teleological)
Actions are right or wrong by virtue of their consequences. What is right is what will produce the greatest net benefit
Limitations of Consequentialism
Allows for immoral acts (eg. Scap-goating) where pleasure /benefit of majority depends on pain / loss of innocent minority
Fails to account for special duties e.g. And for questions of justice
Definition of Deontological app
roach (Kantian)
Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of consequenc.
Right actions are defined in terms of justice /rights and fairness.
Right actions are those prescribed as general law and that treat people as ends not means.
Definition of Deontological app
roach (Kantian)
Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of consequenc.
Right actions are defined in terms of justice /rights and fairness.
Right actionssac
Definition of Deontological app
roach (Kantian)
Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of consequenc.
Right actions are defined in terms of justice /rights and fairness.
Right actionssac
Limitations of Deontological approach
Fails to resolve conflicts of duty because they ignore consequences, difficult situations of distributive justice.
Limits the validity of appeals to social benefits (e.g would make it wrong to tell a lie to save a life)
Definition of Normative relativism
An action is right or wrong if some person or group decrees it is so.
A person ought to act in conformity with the moral standards of his or her group, since there are no objective standards beyond these..
Limitations of Normative relativism
Appears to allow the same action to be viewed as both right and wrong, if if two groups view it differently..
Definition of virtue theory (agent centred)
Right action requires the exercise of good character (in terms of honesty, integrity, courage, compassion and are not determined by consequence or the nature of the actions themselves
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory
Limitations of classical virtue theory
Virtues are impossible to observe independently of actions themselves
Virtue theory alone is insufficient to explain moral behaviour and must be supplemented by general principles or explanations about how inner states constrain external actions
