Ethics and Morality Theory

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Ethics and Morality Theory

• Part 3
• 30 January 2008

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Normative Ethical Theories

• Deontological based on the sense of duty
• Right because of the act
• Teleological based on the result
• Right because of the result

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Deontological Theory

• What is it?
• Based on our duties and responsibilities
• Actions are fundamentally right or wrong
• Examples
• Kantianism (Kant)
• Contractualism (Hobbes, Rousseau)

1724-1804
1588-1679
1712-1788
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Kantianism Ethics of Duty

• Duty as freely imposing obligation on ones own
  self
• Duty is internal
• We impose duty on ourselves

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Universalizability

• What is fair for one is fair for all
• Living by rules
• Most of us live by rules much of the time
• Imperatives
• Hypothetical conditional commands that are
  applicable in certain conditions (if then)
• Categorical unconditional commands that are
  binding on everyone at all times

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Maxims

• Subjective rules that guide actions
• Relevant act description
• Sufficient generality
• All actions have maxims
• Examples of maxims (not necessarily good)
• Never lie to your friends
• Never act in a way that would make your parents
  ashamed of you
• Its ok to cheat if you need to

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Kants Categorical Imperatives

• Universality Always act in such a way that the
  maxim of your action can be willedas a universal
  law of humanity.
• Respect Always treat humanity, whether in
  yourself or in other people, as an end in itself
  and never as a mere means.
• Are these the same? Which do you prefer?

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Strengths of Kantianism

• Rational
• Produces universal moral guidelines
• Treats all people as moral equals

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Criticisms

• Philosophical
• Moral minimalism requirements are not heartfelt
• Moral alienation alienated from feelings
• Practical
• Actions may need to be characterized by multiple
  rules and there is no way to resolve a conflict
  between rules
• Allows no exceptions

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Contractualism

• Social Contract Theory
• Morality consists in the set of rules, governing
  how people are to treat one another, that
  rational people will agree to accept, for their
  mutual benefit, on the condition that others
  follow those rules as well.
• James Rachel, The Elements of Moral Philosophy

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Rights and Duties

• Duty not to interfere with others rights
• Negative and positive rights
• Negative right duty is to not interfere
• Positive right duty is to provide
• Absolute and limited rights
• Typically, negative rights are absolute and
  positive are limited

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Rawlss Principles of Justice

• Each person may claim basic rights and liberties
  as long as these claims are consistent with
  everyone else having a claim to the same rights
• Social and economic inequalities must
• Be associated with positions in society to which
  everyone has an equal opportunity
• Be of the greatest benefit to the least-advantaged

1921-2002
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Strengths of Contractualism

• Framed in terms of rights
• Explains acting out of self-interest when there
  is no common agreement
• Provides framework for moral issues dealing with
  government (civil disobedience)

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Criticism

• Doesnt address actions that can be characterized
  multiple ways
• Doesnt address conflicting rights

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Comparing the Two Theories

• Both believe that there are universal moral rules
• Basis of those moral rules
• Kant can be universalized
• Contract would benefit the community

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Moral Integration

• You do the right thing because you WANT to
• Duty and inclination coincide

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Term Projects

• A thesis needs to be a statement that you are
  willing to defend
• It should not be a black or white statement
• Rework for Monday