Philosopher Overview-Media Ethics

In defining ethical behavior:Aristotle focused on the actor

Kant focused on the action

Mill focused on the consequences of the action

Aristotle384-322 BCAristotle focused on the study of character

His premise is that people should achieve an excellent character (a virtuous character, "ethikē aretē" in Greek) as a pre-condition for attaining happiness or well-being (eudaimonia).

Aristotle believed that ethical knowledge is not only a theoretical knowledge, but practical. People must have "experience of the actions in life" and have been "brought up in fine habits" to become good. For a person to become virtuous, he can't simply study what virtue is, but must actually do virtuous things.

People become virtuous by performing virtuous actions

Golden MeanAristotle argued that each of the moral virtues

was a mean (Golden Mean) between two corresponding vices.

VirtuesPrudence/Wisdom (exercising sound judgment

in practical affairs.)

Justice (proper moderation between self-interest and the rights and needs of others)

Courage (the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation)

Temperance (practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation)

Moral virtue, or excellence of character, concerns what we do voluntarily, and not what we do because we are forced to do so.

Immanuel Kant (Deontology)1724-1804The basis of moral action is duty. When we

exercise the goodwill to decide to follow our duty, then our actions have moral value.

We shouldn’t treat people as a means to an end, but as ends in themselves.

“Certain actions are right or wrong regardless of the consequences.”

John Stewart Mill (Teleology)1806-1873

Utilitarianism is a focus on what will bring pleasure to the greatest number and freedom from pain.

The rightness or wrongness of actions is determined by the goodness or badness of their consequences.

The common good—an essential ethical concept means “the welfare of all citizens, rather than that of factions or special interests, should be served impartially.”(Clifford Christians)

IntentionsFor actions to be considered ethical, the

decision maker must intend no harm to the parties affected by the decision.

We must also consider possible unintended consequences of our actions

ConscienceMay your stone stay sharp. Maybe it continue

to hurt.

CongruenceThe importance of finding a sense of harmony

between your personal values and characteristics, and the values and duties associated with your career.

Ethical dilemmasTruth vs. loyalty

Individual vs. community

Short term vs. long term

Justice vs. mercy

Egypt: "This is the most profound situation in the Middle East since I left office” (Jimmy Carter)

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