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ETHICAL THEORIES: OVERVIEW

ETHICAL THEORIES: OVERVIEW. Universal Moral Theories. Utilitarianism Egoism Deontology Rules-based Rights-based Virtue ethics. Utilitarianism. If the end doesn’t justify the means, what does? Consequence-based

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ETHICAL THEORIES: OVERVIEW

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  1. ETHICAL THEORIES: OVERVIEW

  2. Universal Moral Theories • Utilitarianism • Egoism • Deontology • Rules-based • Rights-based • Virtue ethics

  3. Utilitarianism • If the end doesn’t justify the means, what does? • Consequence-based • Weights suffering against happiness (produces greatest balance of good over harm) • Can we actually measure something called “the greatest good”?

  4. Utilitarian Method • Identify all courses of action • Identify parties affected • Identify contribution of each course of action to that person’s net happiness • Ignoring all other considerations, compare courses of action, taking account of the NUMBER of people affected • Choose the course of action that maximizes overall happiness

  5. Utilitarian Method • When might this be a good approach? • When might this be a poor approach?

  6. EGOISM • Opposite to utilitarianism • Do the most good for yourself • Is this selfish? And if so, how can it be morally justifiable?

  7. Deontology: Rights-based • What is my moral duty? • We should do our duty because of a sense of good will, not because of reward or punishment • Everyone has rights • Everyone needs to respect each other’s rights • Does this address the utilitarian weakness (can we ever be sure of the consequences?)?

  8. Deontology: Rules-based • Legalistic or rule-bound theory • Can following the rules result in greater harm than breaking them?

  9. Deontology Method • What rule are you following? • Would it be a universal rule?

  10. Deontology • What are its strengths? • What are its weaknesses?

  11. Virtue Ethics • Being a virtuous person is most important • What behaviors are equal to being virtuous?

  12. Review • Utilitarianism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWABlhuvRDA • Deontology: Three Minute Philosophy – Immanuel Kant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwOCmJevigw • Virtue Theory: Three Minute Philosophy – Aristotle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm0Uq08xXhY&feature=channel

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