Ethics: Anthologies

Outline Barclay

Criticism of Fletcher’s argument that love is the only guiding force in morality.

What 2 points does Fletcher outline?

• Disagreed with strict rules

• Said the most important thing was Agape

Barclay’s 3 critiques of Fletcher

• Extreme examples used

• Risk of unlimited freedom in release from moral rules as humans irresponsible?

• Human selfishness means reliance on love as the only rule is risky

What was Barclay’s suggestion combining rule ethics with Fletcher?

Some laws ruling to protect individuals due to human irresponsibility or immaturity.

Outline Kant’s anthology

Argues for absolute (deontological) moral laws

Kant’s 3 key arguments

• Ethics must be guided by duties

• All moral laws must be generalisable

• All humans must be treated respectfully

Give 2 criticisms of Kant

• Too rigid

• Not accounting for emotions which could be what cause the dilemma in the first place

Outline Aristotle’s Virtue ethics anthology

Focuses on Eudaimonia.

Give 3 points of Aristotle’s virtue ethics

• Morality is developed through habit

• Golden mean of virtue between two vices

• Moral training required to feel pleasure in moral acts and pain in immoral ones

2 criticisms of Aristotle’s virtue ethics

• Focuses on character development not moral action so doesn’t help decision making

• Things such as the Golden Mean lacks clear guidelines

Overview of Wilcockson

Explores ethical issues surrounding euthanasia contrasting sanctity of life with quality of life

Outline Wilcocksons point about moral crisis in liberal societies

Advances in medicine create new ethical dilemmas surrounding at what point care should be ended, and why. There is a tension between individual autonomy and medical duty.

Outline Wilcockson’s 3 arguments for euthanasia

• Personal autonomy

• Quality of Life

• Legal models- other countries allow assisted suicide

Outline Wilcockson’s 3 arguments against euthanasia

• Slippery slope argument

• Medical ethics/duty- Doctors must prevent harm

• Sanctity of life/religion