Theories of Normative Ethics Utilitarianism ENGR 4760U 1 Four major Theories Utilitarianism Formalism Rights Ethics Virtue Ethics 2 Utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mil(1800s) Always do what produces the most good for the most people 3 Utilitarianism Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor Spock (Star Trek) "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," Florence Nightingale, Known as the founder of modern nursing Often used by democracies Elected government gets control to benefit the majority 4 Utilitarianism Greatest good for greatest number max (๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ก) ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก max ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก เท ๐๐๐ฅ(๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ − ๐๐๐๐๐ ) ๐:๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ก 5 Utilitarianism Factors should be considered in quantifying maximum benefit Number of people affected Intensity of pleasure/pain Duration of pleasure/pain Certainty or uncertainty Equality 6 The Trolly Problem https://thewayout101.wordpress.co http://nayrb.org/ 7 Problems with Utilitarianism Sometimes gives wrong answers to moral questions. Too demanding Undermining Trust Does not consider minority rights 8 Utilitarianism Types Act Utilitarianism Best consequences on a particular occasion Rule Utilitarianism Rules that would lead to optimal consequences if they were accepted by the society 9 Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers Deontology or Formalism ENGR 4760U 10 Deontology Deontology , Formalism, Duty Ethics Immanuel Kant Every human has a duty to act in a correct and ethical manner. If you do your duty, all will be well. An act is morally right if it is performed with good intention from a sense of duty. 11 Good Intention (Good Will) 1. The ultimate good is good will. Therefore, the will behind the action is important. Example: Making a promise with the intention to keep it. Ethical Making a promise without any intention to keep it. Unethical 12 Good Intention (Good Will) 2. The intension is important, not the result. If you have a wrong intention but end up doing the right thing in accordance with your duty, your action has no moral value. 13 Good Intention (Good Will) 3. Act that are performed with “good will” are right under all circumstances. Example: Exaggerating about a product (Lying to clients) with the intention to overcharge them. Exaggerating about a product (Lying to clients) with the intention to protect the public safety. Both cases are unethical. If everyone lies under all circumstances, then there is no trust, and it results in a contradiction. 14 Duty Ethics Batman in The No-Kill Rule Mahatma Gandhi duty to act morally Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation ordered the liberation of all slaves The Canada's House of Commons passed Bill C-84 in 1976 abolishing capital punishment from criminal code 15 Sense of Duty Everyone has an innate sense of duty. “Categorical Imperative” should be applied by one’s conscience. Be honest Be fair Do not hurt others Do no harm Do not lie Never steal Keep your promises Obey the law 16 Categorical Imperative A principle that commands an action is called an “imperative.” hypothetical imperatives Conditioned on desires and the intended consequences of actions. If you want x, do y. Categorical Imperative It is unconditional. It is a form of a universally binding law. Do y. The question is: How to use the Categorical imperative to test if an action is ethical? 17 Test 1, Universalizability We should consider the implications of our actions as if they were universal. universalized without contradiction Perfect duty Must do it If you could rationally will that the act becomes universal law. Imperfect duty You have freedom to do or not to do. 18 Test 2, Respect Humanity A person should never be treated as a means to an end (mere mean). 19 The Trolley Problem https://thewayout101.wordpress.co http://nayrb.org/ 20 Problem with Duty Ethics Inflexibility Does not consider the outcome of the action. Actions with good intentions sometimes result in harm. 21 Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers Rights Ethics ENGR 4760U 22 Rights Ethics John Locke (1632 - 1704) Every individual has rights (moral rights) Right to life Right to the maximum possible individual liberty 23 Rights Ethics Sources of moral rights: Social Construction Intrinsic 24 Rights Ethics Inspired by Right’s Ethics: French Revolution American Revolution Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, within the Constitution Act, 1982 Declaration of Rights within the American Declaration of Independence, 1776 25 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Fundamental freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association Democratic rights to vote Mobility rights to enter, remain in and leave Canada Legal rights to life, liberty and security of person and right not to be deprived of these Equality rights under the law and the right to equal benefit and protection of the law 26 The Trolley Problem https://thewayout101.wordpress.co http://nayrb.org/ 27 Problems with Rights Ethics Rights can conflict Emphasizes on the individuals and not on what best for the society. Not sufficient to deal with every situation 28 Ethics, Law and Professionalism for Engineers Virtue Ethics ENGR 4760U 29 Virtue Ethics Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) The goodness of an act, object or person depends on the function or goal concerned 30 Eudaimonia Happiness or human flourishing results by developing qualities of characters (virtues). Every virtue is a golden mean between two extremes. Modesty is the golden mean between the excess of vanity and the excess of humility Generosity Wastefulness Stinginess 31 Virtues Two categories of character traits to reach eudemonia (happiness or human flourishing), Moral Virtue Intellectual Virtue Prudence Wisdom Temperance Reason Courage Practical Knowledge Justise 32 Solving Ethical Problem using Virtue Ethics The focus is on developing a good moral character through habits and continuous practice. Virtuous people make ethical decisions. Virtue ethics is applied to various moral dilemmas, not by asking "What should I do?" but "What would a virtuous person do?" By seeking the Golden Mean as the middle between the extremes 33 The Trolley Problem https://thewayout101.wordpress.co http://nayrb.org/ 34 Problems with Virtue Ethics Subjectivity Cultural Relativism Lack of Clear Guidance 35 References Andrews, G. C., McPhee, J., & Shaw, P. (2019). Canadian professional engineering and geoscience : practice and ethics (Sixth edition.). Nelson. Fleddermann, C. B. (Charles B. (2012). Engineering ethics (4th ed.). Prentice Hall. Peterson, M. (2020). Ethics for engineers. Oxford University Press. 36