Ethical SystemsEthical Systems

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Teleological ethics (Consequentialism)Morality of an action is based on the consequences

or outcome“The end justifies the means”

Deontological ethics (from deon, Gr. For “duty”)Morality of an action is based on perceived moral

duties or rules“Do unto others as you would have them do unto

you.”Virtue ethics

Morality is based on the character of the agent, not on the action

“What kind of person should I be?”

What is morality?morality refers to personal or cultural values,

codes of conduct or social mores that distinguish between right and wrong

Morals define a person’s character; a “moral” person is one who follows what a society or culture deems is right.

What is ethics?Also called “moral philosophy”; it is the

philosophy behind the adoption of certain moralsEthics focuses on the application of morality in a

social system

Examples:A criminal defense lawyer may believe that

murder is completely immoral, but she is ethically obligated to defend a client accused of murder.

The torture of a human being may be immoral, but is it ethically permissible if it results in knowledge that may aid national security?

Is a Catholic hospital morally opposed to abortion ethically obligated to provide services?

ETHICAL RELATIVISMETHICAL RELATIVISM

• No principles are universally valid. No principles are universally valid. • All moral principles are valid relative All moral principles are valid relative

to:to:– The individualThe individual– The society or cultureThe society or culture– The historical time periodThe historical time period

DIVINE COMMAND THEORY DIVINE COMMAND THEORY

• DeontologicalDeontological• Moral standards depend on God who Moral standards depend on God who

is all-knowingis all-knowing• Any act that conforms to the law of Any act that conforms to the law of

God is right; an act that breaks God's God is right; an act that breaks God's law is wrong.law is wrong.

DEONTOLOGYDEONTOLOGY

• Emphasis is on moral rules and duty. Emphasis is on moral rules and duty. • Universalization: If you’re not willing Universalization: If you’re not willing

for everyone to follow the rule, then for everyone to follow the rule, then it is not morally permissableit is not morally permissable

• People treated as ends, never People treated as ends, never means. means.

• Mainly associated with KantMainly associated with Kant

UTILITARIANISM UTILITARIANISM

• TeleologicalTeleological• Right actions are those that produce Right actions are those that produce

the greatest balance of happiness the greatest balance of happiness over unhappiness. over unhappiness.

• Each person's happiness is equally Each person's happiness is equally important.important.

• Mainly associated with Jeremy Mainly associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart MillBentham and John Stuart Mill

VIRTUE ETHICS VIRTUE ETHICS

• Morals are internal. Morals are internal. • Seeks to produce good people who Seeks to produce good people who

act well out of spontaneous act well out of spontaneous goodness.goodness.

• Emphasizes living well and achieving Emphasizes living well and achieving excellence.excellence.

• Mainly associated with AristotleMainly associated with Aristotle

REASONING WITH ETHICAL SYSTEMS In high school Jack was a three-time Iowa state champion

discus and javelin thrower. He is currently attending a state university on an athletic scholarship for these events. Many of his competitors are using anabolic steroids to increase their performances and Jack finds it increasingly difficult to maintain his #1 position in his conference. Jack is considering taking steroids himself but decides to ask for advice from five friends. Each of these friends operates from a different moral philosophy and ethical system. What kinds of thinking would each engage in when giving advice to Jack?

Rita, the Relativist, would reason: Doris, the Divine Command ethicist, would reason: Ulysses, the Utilitarianist, would reason: Dan, the Deontologist, would reason: Valerie, the Virtue Ethicist, would reason:

Ethical Systems Practice Identify the ethical system and the reasons for

your choice in the following cases. Write down your answers and be prepared to

turn these in for a grade.Case #1Enu, the old grandmother of a Shoshone tribe, could no

longer chew the buffalo hides to make them supple enough for making items of clothing. When winter came and food supplies were not sufficient for all, it was decided by the tribe that Enu would be left alone on a nearby hill to die.

System:

Reasons:

Ethical Systems PracticeCase #2Rachel has fallen in love with Nathan, a

schoolmate in a small religious school set up by a Christian sect. Her parents forbid a marriage with Nathan and make arrangements for Rachel to marry Peter, another youth in the church. Rachel married Peter.

System:

Reasons:

Ethical Systems PracticeCase #3In Germany during 1942 a Christian soldier,

whose close friend is imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp, finds himself in a crowd with his leader, Adolf Hitler. He views the Fuhrer as ruthless and dangerous to his country. Being armed, he considers killing Hitler. After a few moments of hesitation, the soldier assassinates Adolf Hitler.

System:

Reasons:

Ethical Systems PracticeCase #4 Ted, an insurance agent, receives a phone call

from a fellow agent who works in the same office, asking for a ride to work because his car has broken down. Ted had intended to use the drive to work to view some property he would like to buy but picking up his co-worker would not leave him time to do this. He decides not to refuse the co-worker's request

System:

Reasons

ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE

Case #5 Thomas, a missionary doctor in El Salvador,

was told by the government to abandon his work and return to the United States. Thomas doesn't even consider stopping his work with the poor people of the countryside.

System:

Reasons:

ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE

Case #6 Rachel visited her friend Sarah in the

hospital. Sarah had been badly burned and blinded in a car accident and seemed most concerned about how disfigured she might look. She asks Rachel how awful she looks. Rachel lies to Sarah and tells her the effects of the burn are not bad at all.

System:

Reasons:

ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE

Case #7 Hank, who is not religious, witnesses a man

known to be quite wealthy drop a money clip containing several large bills. Hank could definitely use the money to help buy clothes for his eight foster children but instead returns the money to the man.

System:

Reasons: