Making Ethical decisions

• ABSOLUTIST - focuses on act of stealing - always wrong to steal.
• ABSOLUTE - stealing = never morally right
• RELATIVIST / SITUATIONALIST - focuses on situations - make ethical decision on situation.
• RELATIVIST / SITUATIONALIST - if a mother can’t afford food for her hungry child, stealing might be considered morally right.
• DIVINE COMMAND:

  • For some religious people, absoluare things God has commanded - it’s by his Divine Command.
  • Stealing is wrong as God states so in the Ten Commandments.
• VIRTUE ETHICS:

  • Person rather than action based - looks at the perspective or moral character of person.
• VIRTUE ETHICS:

  • Provides guidance to characteristics and behaviours a good person will seek to achieve.
• VIRTUE ETHICS:

  • Concerned with whole persons life rather than particular action.
  • Concerned with reputation (e.g. being known as patient, brave, wise person).