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Applying Moral Theories to Case Studies
Ethics Across the Curriculum
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do
you think?”
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do
you think?”
Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do
you think?”
Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.
Goal: consistency among their beliefs
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Moral Theory Approach
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral
theories.
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral
theories.
Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why, and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.
Two Approaches to Using Case Studies
Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral
theories.
Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why, and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.
Goal: a plausible moral worldview (not merely internal consistency)
Duty-based Theories
Duty-based Theories
Humans are intrinsically valuable.
Duty-based Theories
Humans are intrinsically valuable.
Why? Value is either “extrinsic” (ascribed) or “intrinsic”
(inherent). Beings who have (a) the capacity for
understanding moral reasons and (b) acting on moral reasons are the only sort of beings for whom moral obligations are relevant, thus they are the source of all extrinsic value in the universe.
Humans meet conditions (a) and (b). Therefore, humans are intrinsically valuable.
Duty-based Theories
Humans are intrinsically valuable.
Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.
Duty-based Theories
Humans are intrinsically valuable.
Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.
Which rational criterion is relevant depends on the duty-based theorist.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.
Utilitarianism
Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.
The value of each being that can experience pleasure and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is calculated equally.
Utilitarianism
Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.
The value of each being that can experience pleasure and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is calculated equally.
An act is right or wrong insofar as it increases or decreases the overall happiness of the most sentient beings over the longest time.
How does this work?
Inclination Intended Result
Will Duty
Actual Result
What makes an act right or wrong?
Duty-based Theories
Inclination Intended Result
Will Duty
Actual Result
What makes an act right or wrong?
Utilitarianism
Inclination Intended Result
Will Duty
Actual Result
What makes an act right or wrong?
Applying Moral Theories to Case Studies
The Trolley Case
