Moral theory

moral realists

think morality exists independently of our beliefs and values

moral anti-realists

think that morality depends on our beliefs and values

divine command theorists

think that morality is based on divine commands (god)

Kantianism

requires us to act on reason, following two related principles: 'the universal law principle' & 'the ends principle'

universal law principle

we should do only what we can will as a universal law (morality requires acting only on principles that we can treat as valid for everyone)

ends principle

we should always treat others as ends rather than merely as means. (You have a moral duty to pursue your goals in a way that allows everyone else to do the same, rather than in a way that treats anyone else as a mere object, tool, or instrument).

Utilitarianism

Requires us to maximize utility, usually understood in terms of pleasure and the absence of pain. holds that our moral obligation is to maximize utility for everyone in the world, from now until the end of time.

rule utilitarianism

we should follow rules that, if followed by everyone, would maximize utility.

Virtue Theorists

think that what primarily matter in morality are the character traits that we have. (What kinds of character traits would a good person have (virtues), and what kind of character traits would a bad person have (vices)

Virtue Theorists

think we should try to condition ourselves to have virtues instead of vices in everyday life.

Care theorists and relation theorists

think that what primarily matter in morality are relationships of care that we can develop with others. (how can we take a caring approach to all of our relationships, local as well as global, through personal as well as political action)

Care theorists and virtue theorists

believe that moral philosophy has a bias in favor of reason over emotion.

Care theorists

believe that moral philosophy has a bias in favor of abstract, general moral analysis framed legally (in terms of duties and rights) over concrete, situational moral analyses framed socially (in terms of relationships of care).

Consequentialists

judge the morality of actions based on their outcomes, asserting that the right action is the one that produces the best overall consequences.

Deontology

the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules and principles, rather than based on the consequences of action.