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COMP 381. Modern ethical systems 19 January. Agenda. TA: Caitlyn Losee Books and movies nominations Team presentation signup Beginning of class End of class Rawls and Moors. Ethics. Decision making based on logical reasoning Addresses how people on society should act - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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MODERN ETHICAL SYSTEMS
19 JANUARY
COMP 381
Agenda TA: Caitlyn Losee Books and movies nominations Team presentation signup
Beginning of classEnd of class
Rawls and Moors
Ethics Decision making based on logical
reasoning Addresses how people on society
should act Should advance the good of society
over time
Criteria for Ethical Systems balance of justice and mercy protect individual freedoms and rights
no individual can/should impede or hurt another individual
recognizes unethical laws flexibility deal with relativism societal balance
Ethical Systems Ethical relativism – very briefly
Individual (or subjective)Cultural
Normative ethical theoriesDeontological (duty-based)
○ Kantianism○ Contractualism
Teleological (result-based)○ Utilitarianism
Hybrid theoriesSocial justiceJust consequentialism
Deontological Theory What is it?
Based on our duties and responsibilitiesActions are fundamentally right or wrong
Classic ExamplesKantianism (Kant)Contractualism (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau)
1588-1679
1724-1804
1712-17881632-1704
Kant’s Categorical Imperatives Universality: “Always act in such a way
that the maxim of your action can be willed as a universal law of humanity.”
Respect: “Always treat humanity, whether in yourself or in other people, as an end in itself and never as a mere means.”
Kantianism Treats all people as moral equals Allows no exceptions Duty can preclude acting on feelings
Social Contract TheoryMorality consists in the set of rules, governing how people are to treat one another, that rational people will agree to accept, for their mutual benefit, on the condition that others follow those rules as well.
James Rachel, The Elements of Moral Philosophy
Contractualism Framed in terms of rights Explains acting out of self-interest when
there is no common agreement Provides framework for moral issues
dealing with government (civil disobedience)
Doesn’t address conflicting rights
Deontological Summary Both believe that there are universal
moral rules Basis of those moral rules
Kant○ can be universalized○ based on duties
Contract○ would benefit the community○ based on rights
Teleological Theory What is it?
Something is good based on its consequences
Primary example: UtilitarianismJeremy Bentham
John Stuart Mill
1748-1832
1806-1873
Utilitarianism Greatest Happiness Principle Compute the costs and benefits
Simple calculation: do positives outweigh the negatives?
Two formsAct – consequence of a specific act
○ Too costly○ Susceptible to happenstance
Rule – judge the consequence of the generalized rule
Strengths Focus on happiness Down to earth Appeals to many people Comprehensive
Problems Ignores our sense of duty Range of effects that one must consider Calculus requires that we balance very
different aspects Unjust distribution of good results
Evaluating Ethical SystemsCriterion Kant Contract UtilBalance justice and mercyProtect individual freedoms and rightsRecognize unethical lawsFlexibilityDeal with relativismSocietal balance
Rawls’s Social Justice Social contract made under “veil of
ignorance” Independent of selfEveryone same claims to basic rights
and liberties Inequalities must be
equal opportunity (based on skill or societal benefit) or
of greatest benefit to least-advantaged
1921-2002
Rawl’s Principles of Justice Principle of Equal Liberty
Each person has an equal right to the most extensive liberties compatible with similar liberties for all.
Difference Principle : Social and economic inequalities should be arranged so that they are both to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged
persons andattached to offices and positions open to all under
conditions of equality of opportunity.
Just Consequentialism James Moor (Dartmouth) Consider consequences of action… but
combine with deontological idealsConsider duties, rights, and justice
Protect against unnecessary harm (suffering), where harm = loss of core valueslife, happiness, abilities, security, knowledge,
freedom, opportunities, resources
Applying Just Consequentialism
A decision or action is ethical ifIt does not cause any unnecessary harm to
individuals and groupsSupports individual rightsFulfills duties
Evaluating Ethical SystemsCriterion Rawls MoorBalance justice and mercyProtect individual freedoms and rightsRecognize unethical lawsFlexibilityDeal with relativismSocietal balance
Using Ethical Reasoning How can (do) you use it? Limitations?
How can we use it to form cyberspace?