Consequentialism
also called Utilitarianism
Deontology
FOCUS: the OUTCOMES of the ACTION
- The most important principle of morality is to achieve the most happiness for the most people.
- Everyone's happiness is counted equally, so there is sometimes a trade-off or sacrifice involved.
Ethics of Care
FOCUS: the ACTION and INTENTION
- An act is right or wrong based on its RESULTS or CONSEQUENCES.
- We should aim to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
- Decisions involve figuring out what will lead to the most pleasure and the least pain.
FOCUS: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS and POWER
- Every person deserves dignity and respect.
- You should never treat someone else as a "means to an end." You should not use someone else because it violates their dignity.
- An action is right only if you would wish everyone would do the same. Ask yourself, "What if everybody did that?"
- A person should be motivated to do the right thing out of a duty to act in good will. You should do the right thing for the right reason.
- The intentions or motivations of an action are important--even if they don't have a good outcome.
- If an action is morally wrong, you should not do it, even if it produces a positive outcome.
- A person should follow absolute moral rules: DO NOT steal; DO NOT cheat; DO NOT lie; DO NOT kill innocent people; DO keep promises; DO help someone in need.
- To do good is to care for others and to be in relationship with others.
- Special attention should be given to the needs of the vulnerable, weak or those who don't have power.
Virtue Ethics
FOCUS: the PERSON DOING the ACTION
- Moral obligations come from
personal relationships.
- An action is right when it responds to the perceived needs of another person.
- Rather than ask "What should I do?" this theory asks "What kind of person should I be?"
- Virtue means having moral character.
- Virtues include: honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, integrity, fairness, patience, loyalty, forgiveness, humility, and self-control.
Justice
- In order to do the right thing and live a good life, you need the right BALANCE of virtues.
- Avoid extremes: having too much of a character trait and too little of that character trait.
Justice as Freedom:
It is JUST for individuals to be free to do what they want as long as they do not harm others.
Justice as Fairness:
It is JUST for individuals to have equality, fairness, and access to goods and services.
FOCUS: RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES
- Justice = giving people what they morally deserve.
- Justice involves being free to exercise RIGHTS and being held to certain RESPONSIBILITIES.
Ethical Theories