Theories of Ethics Flashcards
What are the four rules that statisfy ethical goals?
Beneficence
Least Harm
Respect for Autonomy
Justice
T or F
In ethical decisions, there are winners and losers.
True
What must we ask ourselves when ethics are in play?
“What is the right thing to do?”
Explain Benefiecence
Based on doing what is right and good
Which principle best suits the beneficence?
The Principle of Utility
Explain Principle of Utility
- Attempts to generate the largest ratio of goods over evil in the world
- Striving to achieve the greatest good because people, as a whole, benefit from the most good.
Explain the concept of least harm.
Similar to Beneficence
- Deals with situations in which no choice appears beneficial
- To do the least harm possible to the fewest people
Explain the concept of “respect for Autonomy”
- People should make their own decisions that apply to their lives.
Explain Justice in ethics
- Decisions makers should focus on actions that are fair to those involved
- Ethical decisions should be consistent
T or F
Justice rarely accepts extenuating circumstances that differ from similar cases.
False
List the four ethical theories
Deontology
Utilitarianism
Rights
Virtue
What is deontology?
- The theory that people should adhere to their obligations and duties when engaged in decision making.
- Upholding one’s duty is considered ethically correct.
What are the problems with deontology?
There may be no rationale or logical basis for deciding an individual’s duties.
Strictly adhering to one’s duty may itself violate an ethical rule
What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarian decisions are based on one’s ability to predict the consequences of an action.
What are the two types of Utilitarianism?
Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism
Act Utilitarianism
A person performs acts that benefit the people regardless of personal feelings.
Rule Utilitarianism
- Takes into account the law.
- Seeks to benefit the most people but through the fairest, most just means available.
What are the problems with Utilitarianism?
Consequence Comparisons:
The ability to compare different types of outcomes against each other on the same scale.
Maximun Good Utilitarianism: An emphasis on achieving maximum good may benefit one and infringe on another’s rights.
Rule Utilitarianism: There may be conflicting rules or laws when taking them into account in decisions seeking fairness that benefits the most people.
Explain the ethical theory of rights.
- based on the idea that humans and animals have rights.
- In the U.S. the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are referred to as the bill of rights.
- Rights are societally determined.
- Rights in a country are deemed ethically correct
What are the problems with rights?
- What rights does society establish and endorse.
- What rights should a country give its citizens
- What rights should be protected.
T or F
Individuals may bestow rights upon others if they have the ability and resources to do so.
True
Explain virtue
Virtue ethical theories judge a person by his or her character rather than by an action that may deviate from his or her normal behavior.
Problems with Virtue
Judgement involving virtue does not consider a change in an individual’s moral character.
