Overview of Ethical TheoryOverview of Ethical Theory

What is a Theory?What is a Theory?

Overview of Ethical TheoryOverview of Ethical Theory

What is a Theory? Scientific theories:What is a Theory? Scientific theories:– Tool for describing our experienceTool for describing our experience– Tool for predicting future experienceTool for predicting future experience– Tool for organizing our experiencesTool for organizing our experiences

Good Theories Must:Good Theories Must:

Fit (generally) our experienceFit (generally) our experience

Be subject to test and refutationBe subject to test and refutation

Are Ethical Theories Really Are Ethical Theories Really Theories?Theories?

What are the data in ethics?What are the data in ethics?– Considered moral judgmentsConsidered moral judgments

Can ethical theories be tested?Can ethical theories be tested?– Test cases and moral sensesTest cases and moral senses

Components of an Ethical Components of an Ethical TheoryTheory

Theory of Value (Axiology)Theory of Value (Axiology)– Monistic (there is only one thing of value)Monistic (there is only one thing of value)– Pluralistic (several things have value)Pluralistic (several things have value)

Components of an Ethical Components of an Ethical TheoryTheory

Theory of Value (Axiology)Theory of Value (Axiology)

Theory of Obligation (Deontology)Theory of Obligation (Deontology)

Two Major Types of Theories of Two Major Types of Theories of ObligationObligation

RelativistRelativist

Non-relativist (absolutist)Non-relativist (absolutist)

Relativist TheoriesRelativist Theories

There are no universal or objective There are no universal or objective standards of right and wrong, there standards of right and wrong, there are no universal duties. “Right” is a are no universal duties. “Right” is a concept that makes sense only in a concept that makes sense only in a context; what is right is relative to a context; what is right is relative to a context.context.

Non-Relativist TheoriesNon-Relativist Theories

There are objective, universal There are objective, universal standards of conduct that standards of conduct that apply to all people in all apply to all people in all settings.settings.

Major Non-Relativist Theories of Major Non-Relativist Theories of Obligation Obligation

ConsequentialistConsequentialist

Duty BasedDuty Based

Rights BasedRights Based

Natural LawNatural Law

Virtue EthicsVirtue Ethics

Consequentialist TheoriesConsequentialist Theories

The rightness or wrongness of an act is The rightness or wrongness of an act is determined through reference to the determined through reference to the consequences of the act. Right actions consequences of the act. Right actions maximize value.maximize value.

Duty Based Theories of Duty Based Theories of ObligationObligation

Human reason allows us to discover Human reason allows us to discover universal duties or obligations that ew universal duties or obligations that ew have to one another.have to one another.

Rights Based Theories of Rights Based Theories of ObligationObligation

People come equipped with a basic set of People come equipped with a basic set of rights, respect for which is a defining rights, respect for which is a defining feature of moral action. Right actions feature of moral action. Right actions respect basic rights. respect basic rights.

Natural LawNatural Law

The Divine law sets the standard for all The Divine law sets the standard for all human laws. Humans are obligated to act human laws. Humans are obligated to act in accordance with the Divine law, and all in accordance with the Divine law, and all human laws should embody it.human laws should embody it.

Virtue EthicsVirtue Ethics

Act in ways that promote the development Act in ways that promote the development of and display virtuous character traitsof and display virtuous character traits

Major Ethical PrinciplesMajor Ethical Principles

NonmaleficenceNonmaleficence

BeneficenceBeneficence

UtilityUtility

Distributive JusticeDistributive Justice

AutonomyAutonomy

Precautionary PrinciplePrecautionary Principle

NonmaleficenceNonmaleficence

Act in ways that do not cause harm or Act in ways that do not cause harm or needless suffering to others. This principle is needless suffering to others. This principle is a formalization of the "above all else, do no a formalization of the "above all else, do no harm" edict.harm" edict.

BeneficenceBeneficence

Act in ways that promote the welfare of Act in ways that promote the welfare of other people. This principle requires other people. This principle requires affirmative steps be taken to advance the affirmative steps be taken to advance the welfare of others.welfare of others.

UtilityUtility

Act in ways that maximize good and Act in ways that maximize good and minimize harm. Right actions maximize minimize harm. Right actions maximize some measurable thing of value.some measurable thing of value.

Distributive JusticeDistributive Justice

Act in way that promote a just* distribution Act in way that promote a just* distribution of social goods. This theory needs an of social goods. This theory needs an independent theory of just distribution to independent theory of just distribution to be workable.be workable.

AutonomyAutonomy

Act in ways that allow rational individuals Act in ways that allow rational individuals to govern their own lives. Treat persons to govern their own lives. Treat persons with respect and dignity and allow them to with respect and dignity and allow them to make decisions for themselves with regard make decisions for themselves with regard to their own lives.to their own lives.

The Precautionary PrincipleThe Precautionary Principle

Take precautionary measures to Take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize climate anticipate, prevent or minimize climate change and mitigate its adverse effects. change and mitigate its adverse effects. Rather than await certainty, regulators Rather than await certainty, regulators should act in anticipation of any potential should act in anticipation of any potential environmental harm in order to prevent it.environmental harm in order to prevent it.

Roles, Responsibilities, Values Roles, Responsibilities, Values and Conflictsand Conflicts

Social Roles and InstitutionsSocial Roles and Institutions

Established and continuing parts in a Established and continuing parts in a social enterprisesocial enterprise

Characterized by distinctive activityCharacterized by distinctive activity

Special contexts of evaluation and Special contexts of evaluation and appropriatenessappropriateness

Contexts of Evaluation and Contexts of Evaluation and AppropriatenessAppropriateness

Prescribed means (constraints on Prescribed means (constraints on reasons)reasons)

Constraints on actionsConstraints on actions

Prescribed endsPrescribed ends

The Ecology of Social RolesThe Ecology of Social Roles

A roles is shaped by the demands of A roles is shaped by the demands of complementary roles surrounding it, and complementary roles surrounding it, and roles change in response to changes in roles change in response to changes in other interacting rolesother interacting roles

Responsibilities and Values are Responsibilities and Values are Defined by RolesDefined by Roles

Role ResponsibilitiesRole Responsibilities

Expectations that are placed on an agent Expectations that are placed on an agent in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain role capacityrole capacity

Role ResponsibilitiesRole Responsibilities

Expectations that are placed on an agent Expectations that are placed on an agent in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain role capacityrole capacity

Included and excluded reasons--agents Included and excluded reasons--agents acting in roles are expected to use, or acting in roles are expected to use, or exclude certain types of reasonsexclude certain types of reasons

People Fill Several Roles People Fill Several Roles SimultaneouslySimultaneously

The fundamental values and The fundamental values and responsibilities of different roles may come responsibilities of different roles may come into open conflictinto open conflict

Inconsistent social messages about valuesInconsistent social messages about values

Three conflicting rolesThree conflicting roles

ConsumerConsumer

CitizenCitizen

NeighborNeighbor

Values Vary by RoleValues Vary by Role

What is valued in one role may not be What is valued in one role may not be valued in, or may be harmful to, anothervalued in, or may be harmful to, another

Inconsistent Social Messages Inconsistent Social Messages About ValuesAbout Values

Success: wealth and avariceSuccess: wealth and avarice

Work: virtue or punishmentWork: virtue or punishment

Societal Values: liberty, justice, and Societal Values: liberty, justice, and equalityequality

Land values: stewardship or dominionLand values: stewardship or dominion

Confusion between morality and legalityConfusion between morality and legality

M.L. King on Morality and M.L. King on Morality and LegalityLegality

Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. We cannot change the can be regulated. We cannot change the heart, but we may restrain the heartless.heart, but we may restrain the heartless.

Law is External Law is External

Morality is Internal Morality is Internal

Law is about what we Law is about what we MUSTMUST Do Do

Morality is about what we Morality is about what we STRIVESTRIVE to Do and Be to Do and Be

Ethics is about doing more Ethics is about doing more than you are required to do, than you are required to do, but less than you are allowed but less than you are allowed to doto do

Michael JosephsonMichael Josephson