Consequentialist - an action is right or
wrong based on consequences
 Deontological (or nonconsequentialist) the intrinsic nature of an action itself can
be right or wrong


UTILITARIANISM: what produces the
‘greatest good’
› What makes something a good result?
 the greatest good is pleasure or ‘happiness’ =
Hedonism
 Greatest good is knowledge or perfecting to a
certain standard
Act utilitarianism = rightness depends on
result of specific action
 Rule utilitarianism = the greater good is a
result of keeping rules and so one must
follow rules for greater good (1000 units of
happiness for 10 people is better than 900 units of
happiness for the same 10)
(John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)


How has/is utilitarianism applied to
bioethics?
This is a frequent rationale for euthanasia
› Act utilitarianism would say the person is no
longer suffering
› Rule utilitarianism would say that this would
lead people to distrust doctors, motivations and
unleash value judgments on the elderly and
disabled etc…
N.B. (nota bene = note well): don’t rush to a decision –
you have yet to hear all theories!!!)
De = of
 Onto = nature
 Logic = reason
 “Reason in the nature” of or “of nature’s
reason”

Immanuel Kant: Popular German philosopher (1724-1804)
Holds that morality consists in following rules that
are universally applicable out of duty.
eg…you lie to someone to borrow money (can
you answer that you think it is ok for everyone
to lie in order to borrow money – if no, then you
should not lie)
“categorical imperative”: Kant’s term for what he
calls this universally accepted rule. An
imperative is a command and categorical
means is it without exception.

Kant would say if you believe it is morally
ok to kill all Ethopians …then that is your
categorical imperative.

ABELARD: 13th century – morality is
based on one’s intentions -

Morality is based on your intention – if
you mean well

Abelard and Heloise

emphasizes the character of the moral
agent, rather than rules or
consequences, as the key element of
ethical thinking.
1960’s attempt to find middle ground
between utilitarianism and
deontologicalism  says a proportionately greater good
outweighs the bad - the lesser of the
evils


(this theory has been condemned in
Veritatis Splendor because an intrinsically
evil act cannot change its nature because
of intentions or circumstances)
(by the way – the Catholic Church promotes
this theory)
Maintains that right actions are those
conforming to moral standards in nature
through human reason
For 9 minute video click
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCVQJ
mKrkxo&NR=1
There is no objective good or evil, right or
wrong.
 Idolatry of tolerance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTsCJ2
R8Bic&feature=related
Who said “what is truth?” in Scripture?
What was the answer?
Before we discuss what the Church
teaches, what in all these moral sounds
true to you?

Morality of an act depends on
Object + Intention + Circumstances
intention
object
circumstances
Morality of an act

The moral conscience (CCC – 1776 - …
“Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of
Christ.”
John Henry Cardinal Newman, "Letter to the Duke of Norfolk," V, in Certain Difficulties felt by
Anglicans in Catholic Teaching II (London: Longmans Green, 1885), 248.
What are the distinctions in the following
terms:
Vincible ignorance vs. Invincible ignorance
Erroneous, doubtful and true conscience

How is formation of conscience related
to bioethics?
An ordinance
 Of reason
 For the common good
 Promulgated by him who has care of the
community
