Introduction to Ethics
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The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a
particular class of human actions or a particular
group or culture
Ways of evaluating questions of moral right
and wrong; unlike many approaches, the
philosophical analysis which we will be
employing focuses on WHY something is right
or wrong, not just evaluating which one it is
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Feelings: Just because it makes you feel good,
doesn’t make it right (serial killers)
Religion: Ethical people do not have to be
religious
Following the law: laws can be corrupt, void of
moral substance, outdated, or do not
sufficiently address the problem
Cultural norms: Consider – Slavery was
acceptable in the U.S.
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Ethical Theories: different perspectives on what
factors affect ethical decisions
Ridge will use 5 approaches
Kantianism
 Consequentialism/Utilitarianism
 Virtue Ethics
 Feminist Care Ethics
 All-Considered
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The rightness of an action is partially determined by
one’s motivation for doing so, and whether or not
he/she believes it to be a good choice
A moral decision is a moral decision because the
decision itself is moral, not just because it leads to a
desirable outcome
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Therefore, the most moral decision should always be made,
regardless of the costs and benefits of the result
Moral decisions should be made since everyone should
make moral decisions; moral rules are universal and
apply equally to everyone
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People are rational and therefore everyone should be
expected to make moral decisions in order to maintain a
moral society
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Categorical Imperative-an action is objectively
necessary in-itself; people should act morally
for the sake of acting morally
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Individuals should always act according to a moral
principle which they would desire to be a universal
law
The will of every moral (i.e., rational) agent can be
conceived as a universal legislature
“Treat others the way you want to be treated”
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The consequences of one's conduct are the true
basis for any judgment about the morality of
that conduct
“The end justifies the means”
Integral to define “end” and “means”
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Different desirable ends
Hedonistic Utilitarianism
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Eudaimonic Consequentialism
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a good action is one that results in an increase
in pleasure, and the best action is one that results in
the most pleasure for the greatest number
a full, flourishing life, which may or may not be the
same as enjoying a great deal of pleasure, is the
ultimate goal
Aesthetic Consequentialism: produce beauty
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Different methods of means
Agent-Neutral
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Agent-Centered
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People making moral decisions value their own wellbeing equally to that of the well-being of all others
People making moral decisions value their own wellbeing (and that of close friends and family) as of
greater importance to the well-being of others
Reconcile these 2!
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Optimization, perhaps?
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Focus more on virtue/moral character rather
than duties/rules or consequences
We consider honesty and generosity to be
virtues… but there’s a point at which one can
be generous or honest “to a fault”
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For example, “does my dress make me look fat?”
“yes” – results in hurting someone’s feelings. Was
this an ethical decision?
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A concept along the lines of happiness,
flourishing, well-being
It is not based on hedonistic pleasures, but
rather it is a value-centered concept
Virtue ethics leads to the conclusion that by
living according to virtue, one becomes truly
happy and fulfilled
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Virtues:
Benevolence,
accountability, honesty,
ambition, chastity,
compassion, confidence,
courage, cooperation,
diligence, courtesy,
devotion, empathy,
faith, forgiveness,
humility, kindness,
honor, loyalty, modesty,
obedience, patience,
persistence, mercy,
respect, sobriety,
sincerity,
trustworthiness
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Vices:
irresponsible, feckless,
lazy, inconsiderate,
uncooperative, harsh,
intolerant, selfish,
mercenary, indiscreet,
tactless, arrogant,
unsympathetic, cold,
incautious, pusillanimous,
feeble, presumptuous,
rude, hypocritical, selfindulgent, materialistic,
grasping, short-sighted,
vindictive, calculating,
ungrateful, grudging,
brutal, profligate, disloyal
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Does not produce a clear set or code of principles
How do you teach an unethical person to be virtuous?
What is a virtue? What makes something virtuous?
Different cultures emphasize different virtues (for
example, abstinence)
What happens when two virtues come in conflict (such
as honesty and compassion)?
Is the generous person in fact being self-serving and
selfish because they get satisfaction out of helping
people?
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Emphasizes the importance of relationships
and making moral decisions based on what is
best for the group
The “communal woman” vs. the “autonomous
man”
Human relationships are not between equallyinformed and equally-powerful persons but
between unequal and interdependent persons
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Therefore, ethics should be built on a model that fits
life as most people experience it on an everyday
basis
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All individuals are interdependent for achieving
their interests; people thrive in groups, not as
individuals
Those particularly vulnerable to our choices and
their outcomes deserve extra consideration to be
measured according to
the level of their vulnerability to one's choices
 the level of their affectedness by one's choices and no one
else's
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Since the interests of multiple people (those
individuals most important to the moral agent)
must be considered, decisions are made on a case
by case basis
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Be able to successfully use each ethical
approach/perspective individually before
employing this
Premise: while each theory holds weight, rarely
does a moral agent operate specifically within the
realm of one method of reasoning
Various theories can often complement or conflict
with each other for a given situation
Evaluate how the different theories can be
considered as a group to weigh the myriad of
factors affecting a decision
Weigh the costs and benefits to determine what the
best moral decision is
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An honest person cannot be identified simply
as one who, for example, practices honest
dealing, and does not cheat. If such actions are
done merely because the agent thinks that
honesty is the best policy, or because they fear
being caught out, rather than through
recognising “To do otherwise would be
dishonest” as the relevant reason, they are not
the actions of an honest person.
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Practice situation: A person by the
side of the road is injured. Do you
help them? Why?
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You help the person because as a
Consequentialism – It maximizes well-being,
benefits the most people
Kantianism – It follows the moral rule “Do
unto others as you would be done by”
Virtue Ethics – You’re being kind, helpful,
benevolent, charitable, etc
Feminist – Helps the community by taking
care of injured strangers in the area
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Your friend says, “Hey, let’s have a beer.”
You’re under the drinking age
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What does each ethical theorist suggest?
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Consequentialism – You say no because
becoming intoxicated could lead to dangerous
situations (ex: medical, sexual, physical)
Kantianism – You say no, because it’s illegal
for minors to drink for a reason, and as more
people don’t follow the law, even more people
will do the same
Virtue Ethics – You say no, because drinking is
not conducive to good moral character (not a
virtue)
Feminist – It could hurt those close to you,
such as parents who might be disappointed
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Further discussion on…
“Does this dress make me look fat?”
(Yes, it’s an unflattering dress)
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What do you say?
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Consequentialism – It will make your friend
happy, so you say “no, it doesn’t” (ignorance is
bliss?)
Kantianism – Responds honestly because you act
as you believe everyone should act. Everyone
should be honest
Virtue Ethics – the virtue of honesty prompts you
to say yes… but the virtue of compassion and
kindness prompts you to say no to avoid hurting
your friend’s feelings.
Feminist – Determine how your friend would
react, and if she can take constructive criticism, it’s
best to tell her the truth to help her, and if she
can’t, it’s best to say she looks pretty so she feels
good about herself
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You’re face to face with a man who is “better
off dead” (Perhaps he’s a serial killer)
Is it ethical to kill him?
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Utilitarianism – It’s best for society that you
stop the man from causing any more pain and
suffering by killing him
Kantianism – It’s a bad idea to kill the man
because it could create a culture of cheating;
you wouldn’t want other people to feel ok with
killing too
Virtue Ethics – well… killing is wrong… but it
is morally good to help society (dedication to
the common good)
Feminist – Um…
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http://www.mesacc.edu/~bfvaughan/text/105/notes/deontolo
gy/kant.html
http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html
http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/consequentialism.html
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvirtue
.html
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~jannas/forth/coppvirtue.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_of_care