Ethical Theories

• Immanuel Kant


  Created Kant's Theory. He taught that moral reasoning is universal and that ethics are based on moral duty rather than personal influences & interests.
• Jeremy Bentham


  Created Act Utilitarianism, which contributed to rule utilitarianism
• Negative rights


  Something you must acquire yourself (ethics as rights)
• Positive rights


  Someone naturally owes you something (ethics as rights)
• 6 main rights


  Belongs to ethics as rights. You're born with these. Security, due process, liberty, political, equality, and welfare.
• John Locke


  Created Ethics as Rights. Focused on life, liberty, and property.
• The double effect


  A weakness in natural law: hurts some to help many. All lives should be equal.
• Principles of Universal Human Good


  Belong to Natural law. Human life, health, reproduction, caring for kids, knowledge, relationships.
• Thomas Aquinas


  Created the theory of Natural Law
• The golden mean


  Virtues balanced between two extremes
• Classical Virtues


  Needed to be happy and fulfilled ex. self control, courage, wisdom, justice
• Intellectual Virtues


  Traits needed to separate people from others ex. rationality, calmness, contemplation, reflection, wisdom, knowledge
• Moral Virtues


  Traits needed to have to contribute to society ex. self control, courage, gentleness, wittiness
• Socrates, Aristotle, Plato


  Created Virtue Ethics
• Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Epicurious


  Contributed to Egoism
• Immanuel Kant's theory


  Nonconsequential theory
• Act Utilitarianism


  Consequential theory
• Rule Utilitarianism


  Consequential theory
• Ethics as rights

  Nonconsequential theory
• Natural Law

  Nonconsequential theory
• Virtue ethics

  Nonconsequential theory
• Egoism


  Consequential theory
• What are the weaknesses of Kants theory?

  It only applies to rational people, not based on consequences, thinks everyone will do the same thing, thinks everyone feels obligated to do good. Thinks people can overcome self interest.
• What are the strengths of Kants theory?

  Its very simplistic and broad. Doesn't allow for people to be exploited.
• What are the two main assumptions of Kants theory?

  Ethics are based on moral duty, not influenced by personal influence and denatology which is the obligation to fulfil ones duty because its the right thing to do.
• Define respect for persons

  Having respect for people is an eesential becase everyone must be treated equally and its their duty to do so.
• Define universality

  The applicability pf a moral tule to all similarly situated individuals, and all moral imperitives should be equally binding to everyone.
• Define categorical imperative


  You should act how you believe others should act. Any proposition declaring a certain action to be necessary.
• What are the assumptions behind John Locks natural rights theory?

  That all humans have unalienable rights and the duty to not violate the rights of others.
• How does natural law theory determine right from wrong?

  Its based on whether it promotes or dismisses any of the 6 principles of universal human good. Also based on inborn natural instincts.
• What are the weaknesses of virtue ethics?

  There is no explanation for why the classic virtues are them. Says its necessary to be happy and fulfilled to be a good person. Authorities can pick and choose.
• What are the strengths of virtue ethics?

  Encourages nonopposing ethical debates.
• What are the assumptions of virtue ethics?

  That people would do the right thing natutally without having to think about it.
• What do the ancient greeks think about the purpose of life?

  Socrates believed it was to gain wisdom. Others believed it is to be happy and fulfilled.
• Whats the focus of virtue ethics?

  Living a life of virtue leads to happiness and fulfillment, and to base decisions on reason rather than authority and supersitition.
• Which version of utilitarianism presents more serious problems?

  Act Utilitarianism because its only looking at a specific situation and tries to predict peoples happiness too percisely.
• Does egoism's strengths outweigh its problems?

  No because having only self interest in mind is unethical and the world would be in chaos.
• What are the weaknesses of rule utilitarianism?

  It doesnt help circumstantial situations. Not everyone will follow the same rules. No moral absolutes can be made.
• What are the strengths of rule utilitarianism?

  It focuses on moral rules specific to a situation
• Whats the main principle of rule utilitarianism?


  One chooses whatever decision creates the overall greatest amount of happiness in every situation.