Transcript Ethical Theories

Limits on Political Authority
1) Morality: laws obligate only if they are moral, that
is, if they are consistent with reason or the natural
law (Stoics). Civil disobedience is permitted if laws
violate the common good, are based on illegitimate
authority, distribute burdens inequitably, or
challenge religious beliefs/conscience (Aquinas)
 Response: laws are obligating not because they
are moral but simply because they are enacted by
a legitimate authority (Positivism)
Limits on Political Authority (continued)
2) Liberty: laws should respect freedom by
regulating only actions that harm others.
Where behavior is merely offensive, only
social pressure is permitted. Where selfimprovement or the development of personal
preference or conscience is concerned, only
persuasion is permitted (J. S. Mill)

Objection: the lines between public and private,
or between harmful, offensive, and personal
preference, are difficult to identify
Limits on Political Authority (continued)
3) Human rights: laws are binding only if they
protect justified claims and acknowledge the
duties of others to respect those claims
• Legal rights are based on civil laws; moral or
human rights are based on nature
• Negative rights (e.g., to privacy) presume that
individuals should be allowed to act without
interference; positive rights (e.g., to education or
health care) presume that society has obligations
to help individuals
Limits on Political Authority (continued)
4) International relations: nations are regulated
a) only by force or power (political realism)
•
Objection: this makes morality irrelevant
b) by principles of peace (pacifism)
•
Objection: pacifism is unworkable practically
c) by principles of self-defense (just war)
•
Objection: excuses for war = justifications