Transcript Ethical Theories and Major Moral Principles

Ethical Theories
and
Major Moral
Principles
Ethical Theories
Utilitarianism:
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
an ethics of consequences
an action is good if it produces the greatest good
for the greatest number
Ethical Theories
Utilitarianism:
what does "good" mean???
a) pleasure = hedonistic utilitarianism
b) pluralistic goods, e.g., friendship,
knowledge, beauty
c) preference utilitarianism
majority vs. minority interests
Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories:
an ethics of duty or obligation
a) Kant (1724-1804)
single principle: categorical imperative
Universality - what maxims pass this test
persons as ends (what counts as a person?)
Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories (cont.):
b) pluralists = many duties
W. D. Ross, duties of:
* non-malificence: do not harm
* beneficence: do good, benefit
* justice: treat equals equally
* add autonomy: respect individuals
The above four principles are fundamental for the most
widely used text in contemporary ethics: Principles of
Medical Ethics, Beauchamp and Childress
Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories (cont.):
b) pluralists = many duties
Ross' additional duties:
* fidelity: be faithful
* reparation: return good for good
* gratitude
* self-improvement
Issues for deontologists:
* ranking duties
* conflicts of duties
Ethical Theories
Related Theory: virtue theory
a virtue is an excellence or desirable moral
quality
virtues are often defined by social role, e.g.,
parent, child, spouse, teacher, etc.
What are the qualities which make for a good x?
What are the qualities of a good physician?
What are the qualities of a good patient?
Ethical Theories
Natural Law Theories:
There are certain natural tendencies or purposes
in things
What is natural is, in general, to be followed
Natural goals are to be achieved
E.g., there is a natural tendency of things to
continue their existence
Abortion is not allowed
Embryonic or fetal research is not allowed if it
results in destruction
Ethical Theories
Natural law theories (cont.):
Natural and law and suicide
Natural law and sexuality
Two principles:
Natural vs. artificial treatment
Principle of double effect
Ethical Theories
Right Theories:
What basic rights do we have?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
to life, not to be harmed, to thrive or develop,
etc.?
Where do rights come from? God, natural
rights, social contract, etc.?
What do rights entail?
Fundamental rights?
Positive and negative rights
What other rights are there? Education? Health
care?
Are there limits on rights?