Transcript Ethics
Ethics and Morality Theory Part 4 4 February 2008 Meeting Tonight Monday Morning Normative Ethical Theories Deontological: based on the act Kantianism (duty) Contractualism (rights) Moral integration (duty and inclination coincide) Teleological: based on the result Utilitarianism Just consequentialism Teleological Theory What is it? Something is good based on its consequences Primary example: Utilitarianism Jeremy 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 forms Act – judge the consequence of a specific act Rule – judge the consequence of the generalized rule Strengths Focus on happiness Down to earth Appeals to many people Comprehensive Problems of Act that Rule Addresses Too much work to make a decision on each act Susceptible to happenstance Criticisms 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 Just Consequentialism James Moor (Dartmouth) Consider consequences of action… but combine w/deontological ideals Consider duties, rights, and justice Protect against unnecessary harm (suffering), where harm = loss of core values life, happiness, abilities, security, knowledge, freedom, opportunities, resources Applying Just Consequentialism A decision or action is ethical if It does not cause any unnecessary harm to individuals and groups Supports individual rights Fulfills duties Beyond Ethics Beyond Ethics Regulators in Physical Space (Lessig) Law (sanctions) Social norms (behavior) Market (cost) Architecture (self-enforcement) In Cyberspace Law Social norms Extra-cyberspace: Addictive behaviors Intra-cyberspace: flaming, spam Market Copyright, patent Slander, illegal sales and distribution Advertising Priced services Architecture Code How do we use all this? Ethical theories are a tool kit Use as appropriate Remember that counter-arguments may choose other tools Consider Lessig’s other regulators as well Do they negate the need for moral behavior? Exercise Action: Yahoo cooperates with Chinese authorities on identity of customer who had anonymously criticized government in forum. Consequence: Customer imprisoned. Justification: Government would block our services if we didn’t cooperate. Evaluate: Kantianism, Act Utilitarianism, Just Consequentialism