Unit 2: Normative Ethics

Accept

General normative ethics attempts to answer the question, "Which general moral norms for the guidance and evaluation of conduct should we , and why? (unlike descriptive and meta ethics)

descriptive ethics

the scientific study of moral beliefs and practices

meta ethics

concerned with developing our understanding of the meaning and function of ethical terms like 'good' and 'bad.'

moral theory

an explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or thing good.

consequentialist theory

A theory asserting that what makes an action right is its consequences.

nonconsequentalist theory

A theory asserting that the rightness of an action does not depend on its consequences. Some of these theories are referred to as Deontological theories.

criteria

Since not all theories are of equal worth, we must try to discover which one is best - a task that we can perform by applying the moral _ of adequacy to theories

judgments

the 3 criteria are: 1. consistency with considered 2. consistency with our moral experience, 3. usefulness in moral problem solving

experience

the 3 criteria are: 1. consistency with considered judgements 2. consistency with our moral , 3. usefulness in moral problem solving

usefulness

the 3 criteria are: 1. consistency with considered judgements 2. consistency with our moral experience, 3. _ in moral problem solving

Ethical Egoism

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favourable balance of good over evil for oneself.

Utilitarianism

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favourable balance of good over evil, everyone considered.

Act-Utilitarianism

A utilitarian theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that directly produces the most favourable balance of good over evil, everyone considered.

Rule-Utilitarianism

A utilitarian theory asserting that the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that if generally followed would produce the most favourable balance of good over evil, everyone considered.

kantian ethics

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one done in accordance with the categorical imperative. (nonconsequentialist theory)

natural law theory

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that follows the dictates of nature.

divine command theory

A theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that God commands.

virtue ethics

A theory that highlights the role of the agent in moral deliberations making virtue the central concern.

Nonconsequentialist theories

contend that right and wrong are determined by more than the likely consequences of an action (kantian ethics, natural law theory, divine command theory, virtue ethics)

Consequentialism

theories see the moral rightness or wrongness of actions as a
function of their results. If the consequences are good, the action is right; if they are bad, the action is wrong.

egoism

the consequentialist theory that an action is right when it promotes the individual's best interests. Proponents of this theory base their view on the alleged fact that human beings are, by nature, selfish (the doctrine of psychological egoism).

Doctrine of Psychological Egoism

the view that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest, even those that appear to be selfless or altruistic

distinct

psychological and ethic egoism are _ from one another

implausible

criticism of egoism: psychological egoism is _

principle

criticism of egoism: egoism is not really a moral ___

direction

criticism of egoism: egoism provides no in cases of genuine conflict of interest

John Stuart Mill

one of the first advocates for John Stuart Mill

utilitarianism

The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals "utility" or the "greatest happiness principle" holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

happiness

Utilitarianism maintains that the morally right action is the one that provides the greatest _ for all those affected.

organizational

In an _ context, utilitarianism provides an objective way to resolve conflicts of self-interest and encourages a realistic and result-oriented approach to moral decision making.

ultimate

key idea of utilitarianism: human happiness is the ___ moral good

consequences

key idea of utilitarianism: Actions should be evaluated in light of their __.

economic

Utilitarianism provides the foundation for _ reasoning, and for practical methods like cost-benefit analysis

concern

An complete account of the nature of happiness is a _ for utilitarianism, but it isn't a fatal problem.

results

criticism of utilitarianism: intuitively we realize that some actions are wrong even if they produce good

workable

criticism of utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is not really _

overlooks

criticism of utilitarianism: Utilitarianism incorrectly considerations of justice and the distribution of happiness.

bluffing

it is debated whether ___ is required in business, and whether it violates rights

Carr

wrote "the poker analogy"; argues that bluffing in business is often ethical

necessary

carr argues that certain deceptive strategies in business are not only , but they are in fact desirable, and even morally praiseworthy.

win

"To be a winner, one must play to ____… [and that means bluffing and other] small or large deceptions." - Carr

nonconsequentialist

Kant's theory is an important example of a purely _ approach to ethics.

duty

Kant held that only when we act from _ does our action have moral worth.

goodwill

_ is the only thing that is good in itself. (kant)

duty

Kant's ethics gives us firm standards that do not depend on results; it injects a humanistic element into moral decision making and stresses the importance of acting on principle and from a sense of _.

deontology

Given the importance of the concept of duty in Kant's theory it is often referred to as .

two

_ key ideas are at the center of Kant's thinking about morality.

value

Kant key idea: only a good will has ultimate moral _

universal

Kant key idea: Moral rules must be _ and binding for all rational beings.

good

For Kant, we are ____ because we have a good will

no possibility

"There is _ of thinking of anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be regarded as good without qualification, except a good will." - Kant

The Categorical Imperative

A concept developed by the philosopher Immanuel Kant as an ethical guideline for behavior. In deciding whether an action is right or wrong, or desirable or undesirable, a person should evaluate the action in terms of what would happen if everybody else in the same situation, or category, acted the same way.

test

Regarding the binding and universal nature of our moral principles, Kant provides the Categorical Imperative as a ____ which the moral principle must pass.

rational

Kant believed that the Categorical Imperative is binding on all _ creatures, regardless of their specific goals or desires and regardless of the consequences.

three

While Kant formulates the Categorical Imperative in at least _ ways, there are two common variants

maxim

Kant Categorical Imperative 1: "Act only according to that ____ whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

means

Kant Categorical Imperative 2: "Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a _."

goal

kant uses maxim to mean ____

restrictive

critics of kantian ethics: Kant's view of moral worth is too _

sufficient

critics of kantian ethics: The Categorical Imperative is not a _ test of right and wrong

practice

critics of kantian ethics: Distinguishing between treating people as means and respecting them as ends in themselves may be difficult in .

Inquiring Murderer Scenario

thought experiment, famously used by Immanuel Kant, that challenges the rigidity of his ethical system by posing a dilemma: Do you lie to a murderer at your door to protect a victim, or do you tell the truth, even though it might lead to the victim's death? Kant argued that one must always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences, because moral rules are universal and should not be broken, even when they lead to seemingly negative outcomes