ethics (2)

• Consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges whether or not something is right by what its consequences are. 
• Predisposition (predilection) – a disposition in advance to react in a particular way
• Predisposition comes from the Latin prae meaning “before,”
• disponere meaning “put in order, arrange, distribute.”
• genetic predisposition means you are likely to inherit a trait from your parents
• Tendency is a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result
• Predisposition means a bias to do something innately without or before being taught, and means something happens all the time
• If you have a predisposition to think or act a certain way, you can anticipate your reaction before it happens.
• tendency usually refers to a bias in a repetitive situation, when it happens over and over again, and means something happens most of the time.
• In the Consequentialist framework, we focus on the future effects of the possible courses of action, considering the people who will be directly or indirectly affected.
• In the Duty framework, we focus on the duties and obligations that we have in a given situation, and consider what ethical obligations we have and what things we should never do.
• Duty Framework - This framework also focuses on following moral rules or duty regardless of outcome, so it allows for the possibility that one might have acted ethically, even if there is a bad result.
• Ethical conduct is defined by doing one’s duties and doing the right thing, and the goal is performing the correct action.
• duty framework - this framework also has its limitations. First, it can appear cold and impersonal, in that it might require actions which are known to produce harms, even though they are strictly in keeping with a particular moral rule.
• duty framework - This framework also focuses on following moral rules or duty regardless of outcome, so it allows for the possibility that one might have acted ethically, even if there is a bad result.
• duty framework - this framework works best in situations where there is a sense of obligation
• consequentialist framework - we ask about what outcomes are desirable in a given situation, and consider ethical conduct to be whatever will achieve the best consequences.
• the consequentialist framework does not focus solely on individual acts but rather looks at the overall impact of all human activity.
• In the Virtue framework, we try to identify the character traits (either positive or negative) that might motivate us in a given situation.
• virtue framework - concerned with what kind of person we should be and what our actions indicate about our character.
• virtue framework - define ethical behavior as whatever a virtuous person would do in the situation, and we seek to develop similar virtues
• virtue framework - this framework is useful in situations that ask what sort of person one should be.
• virtue framework - because it emphasizes the importance of role models and education to ethical behavior, it can sometimes merely reinforce current cultural norms as the standard of ethical behavio
• in deliberative process (consequentialist) - What kind of outcomes should I produce (or try to produce)?
• deliberative process, duty - What are my obligations in this situation, and what are the things I should never do?
• deliberative process, virtue - What kind of person should I be (or try to be), and what will my actions show about my character?
• moral dilemma is a conflict in which you have to choose between two or more actions and have moral reasons for choosing each action.
• focus, consequentialist - Directs attention to the future effects of an action, for all the people who will be directly or indirectly affected by action
• focus, duty - Directs attention to the duties that exist prior to the situation and determines obligations
• focus, virtue - Attempts to discern character traits (virtues and vices) that are, or could be, motivating the people involved in the situation
• ethical conduct, consequentialist - Ethical conduct is the action that will achieve the best consequences.
• ethical conduct, duty - Ethical conduct involves always doing the right thing : never failing to do one’s duty
• ethical conduct, virtue - Ethical conduct is whatever a fully virtuous person would do in the circumstances
• motivation, consequentialist - Aim is to produce the most good
• motivation, duty - Aim is to perform the right action
• motivation, virtue - Aim is to perform the right action
• Recognizing an Ethical Issue

  One of the most important things to do at the beginning of ethical deliberation is to locate, to the extent possible, the specifically ethical aspects of the issue at hand. Sometimes what appears to be an ethical dispute is really a dispute about facts or concepts.
• Consider the Parties Involved

  Another important aspect to reflect upon are the various individuals and groups who may be affected by your decision. Consider who might be harmed or who might benefit.
• Gather all of the Relevant Information

  Before taking action, it is a good idea to make sure that you have gathered all of the pertinent information, and that all potential sources of information have been consulted.
• ormulate Actions and Consider Alternatives

  • Evaluate your decision-making options by asking the following questions:

  • Which action will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian

  Approach)

  • Which action respects the rights of all who have a stake in the decision? (The Rights

  Approach)

  • Which action treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)

  • Which action serves the community as a whole, not just some members? (The

  Common Good Approach)

  • Which action leads me to act as the sort of person I should be? (The Virtue

  Approach)