Theories of Moral Right and Wrong
Theory of Moral Right and Wrong (aka. Theory of Moral Rightness, Theory of Moral
Obligation)—a general statement of the criteria that determine whether any action is
morally right or wrong
Two Views about the Criteria of Moral Rightness
1. Moral Legalism—The moral rightness of acts is determined solely by rules,
principles, or commandments.
2. Moral Particularism—The moral rightness of acts depends solely on the
situations in which they are performed and cannot be fully captured in rules,
principles, or commandments.
Two Forms of Moral Legalism
1. Monism—The moral rightness of acts is determined by a single basic rule,
principle, or commandment.
2. Pluralism—The moral rightness of acts is determined by two or more equally
basic rules, principles, or commandments.
Two Ways of Classifying Moral Theories
1. With respect to the relationship of right/wrong to good/bad
2. With respect to the moral relevance of the consequences of actions
Classification based on the Relationship of Right/Wrong to Good/Bad
1. Axiological Moral Theories—say that Right/Wrong depend entirely on
Good/Bad.
2. Deontological Moral Theories—say that Right/Wrong do not depend entirely on
Good/Bad.
A. Strong Deontological Theories—Right/Wrong do not depend at all on
Good/Bad.
B. Weak Deontological Theories—Good/Bad is relevant to Right/Wrong but not
decisive.
3. Classification based on the Moral Relevance of the Consequences of Actions
1. Consequentialist Moral Theories—Right/Wrong are determined exclusively
by the consequences of actions.
2. Nonconsequentialist Moral Theories—Right/Wrong are not determined
exclusively by the consequences of actions.
A. Strong Nonconsequentialist Theories—Right/Wrong do not depend at all
on the consequences of actions.
B. Weak Nonconsequentialist Theories—The consequences of our actions are
relevant in determining right/wrong but are not decisive.
Teleological Moral Theory—any moral theory that is both axiological and
consequentialist
Two Types of Teleological Moral Theories
1. Micro Ethics—any theory that says that the survival and well-being of individual
beings is the highest good. Right actions are those that maximize that good.
2. Macro Ethics—any theory that says that the survival and well-being of one or
more collectivity (state, nation, race, religion) is the highest good. The good for
the collectivity is greater than the sum of the good for its members.