ethical decision making and ethical theory

what fields must morality/ethics be distinguished from (3)

• law

• social custom

• religion

what are the features of a good moral/ethical theory (7)

• completeness

• consistency

• power

• realism about human nature

• humility

• rational support

• fit with considered judgements

core idea of utilitarianism

consequentialism where the right action to take is the one that produces the best consequences

historical context: who founded utilitarianism ideas

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart

main advantages of utilitarianism (3)

• clear and systematic decision making method

• everyone’s wellbeing counts equally (impartial)

• consequences taken seriously

disadvantages of utilitarianism (3)

• personal sacrifice for the greater good

• permit harming individuals for the greater good

• risk of not treating people as individuals with their own claims

core idea of deontological ethics

grounded in duty, some actions are wrong regardless of their good consequences

key idea around the treatment of humanity under deontological ethics

that people are rational agents capable of making their own decisions and shouldn’t be treated as a tool or means to someone else’s end

what is the idea behind the universalisability test (Kant, deontological ethics)

when taking an action could you rationally will that everyone act on the same rule you’re acting on?

main advantages of deontological ethics (3)

• individuals cannot be sacrificed for the greater good

• basis for informed consent, right to withdraw

• basis for rules against deception, manipulation

disadvantages of deontological ethics (3)

• rigid

• moral rules can conflict with each other

• lacks guidance for competing duties

main idea of principlism

framework based on principles that are always morally important and should be considered in relevant situations

defeasibility in principlism

the principles can be overridden when they conflict with each other

what are the principles involved in principlism (4)

1. autonomy

2. beneficence

3. non-maleficence

4. justice

what is autonomy

respect for people’s right to make their own decisions

what is non-maleficence

do no harm, minimise the harm to others

what is beneficence

maximise benefit to others

what is justice

the fair distribution of benefits and burdens

main idea in virtue ethics

focus on character and virtue of a person