How Actions Can Be Morally Evaluated

1
How Actions Can Be Morally Evaluated
Teleological Ethics
Motive/Intention (Character)
ACT
Consequences
Deontological Ethics

• Teleological Ethics morality is defined in terms
  of the consequences of actions
• Deontological Ethics morality is defined in
  terms of intention (e.g., doing ones duty)

2
Natural Law Theory

• Our consciences (informed by reason and
  experience) reveal our obligations to
  God (e.g., obedience), ourselves
  (e.g., development), and others (e.g., respect)
• Objection consciences conflict doing ones duty
  is not always natural or obvious
• Reply our intention should be to do our duty
  (which should be properly informed)

Samuel Pufendorf
3
Kants Ethics (Formalism)

• Morality is not based on character or
  consequences, for virtues or happiness are
  morally good only if informed by a good will the
  intent to act for the sake of doing your duty
• Morality is about obligation (for everyone) the
  form of moral obligation is its universality, its
  categorical (vs. hypothetical) character
• Humans can act for the sake of doing their duty,
  so treat them as ends-in-themselves

4
Kant The Categorical Imperative

• Always act only on maxims (rules) that you could
  will everyone universally to adopt
• Tests for universalizing a maxim consistency
  (universalizability without contradiction) and
  acceptability (can be accepted if universalized)
• W. D. Ross duties sometimes conflict this shows
  how they are valid only prima facie
• T. Regan duties to animals are not indirect