Quiz 1. Criticisms of consequentialism and Kant. Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism. Consequentialism in practice. Must Choose Best Possible Act

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Quiz 1. Criticisms of consequentialism and Kant. Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism. Consequentialism in practice. Must Choose Best Possible Act"

Transcription

1 Quiz 1 (Out of 4 points; 5 points possible) Ethical Theory (continued) In one clear sentence, state one of the criticisms of consequentialism discussed in the course pack. (up to 2 bonus points): In one clear sentence, state what you regard as Williams criticism of utilitarianism. (not an example; examples are not themselves arguments but support arguments. Here I am asking for the argument itself.) Consequentialism and Consequentialism The only thing that determines the morality of an action are its results (consequences) are not the only thing to consider one of several things to consider Prima facie rules or prima facie rights (Non-absolute rules or rights) are irrelevant to the morality of an act Absolute rules or rights. Kantian ethics Consequentialism in practice If right act is one that creates good consequences, good for whom? Answer: for everyone affected. Must be impartial: self or family counts no more (or less) than anyone else What is good consequence to promote? Must Choose Best Possible Act Happiness as only good Act A Act B Act C Bentham: quantity of pleasure Mill quality as well as quantity of pleasure Satisfaction of preferences as the good (less paternalistic?) Goes with capitalism (see later slide) Preference utilitarianism 5 6 7

2 How do we get the numbers? Number of people (non-humans?) affected Intensity of the effect Likelihood (Should we also consider whether effect will happen sooner or later?) A weak criticism of consequentialism: we can t predict the future Consequentialism takes that into account (likelihood) Reasonable to play the odds, just as we do in everyday life Falsely assumes that a good ethical theory must be simple and easy to apply. How does utilitarian theory get applied as cost-benefit analysis? The minus points are costs (e.g., $$$) The plus points are benefits such as Lives saved Reduction in risk of dying Suffering avoided (e.g., days in hospital) Pleasure gained Likelihood (% chance) must be considered: a 50% chance of 100 plus points of benefit = +50. Typical: is it worth spending a million dollars to...? What are the problems of CBA? The dwarfing of soft variables stuff that can t easily be quantified as dollars like enjoyment of a sunny day. Defining the value of a human life in dollar terms. Expected future earnings? Willingness to pay for reduction in risks Wording of surveys Problems of accepting human preferences. Problem of Preferences People often want things based on manipulation or advertising. People are irrational at estimating risks. People often desire things for short-term gain that conflict with genuine happiness (smoking, spending spree, long-term environmental damage for quick profits). Criticisms of Consequentialism

3 Key Concepts Moral rules and moral rights Justice (as one part of morality) Morally relevant difference between acts and omissions Intuition and reflective equilibrium Testing whether an argument withstands criticism Problems Applying vs. Criticisms Problems applying utilitarianism do not challenge the whole approach of the theory. (Criticisms do.) They are things utilitarians disagree about. If we decide consequentialism (utilitarianism) is the right theory, then we may still debate What things are good (happiness, etc.)? How to figure out the numbers (e.g., $ for life) Criticisms of Consequentialism (overview) 1. Utilitarianism does not take into account rights and rules. 2. Utilitarianism does not take into account justice. 3. Consequentialism does not take into account special obligations to special people 4. Consequentialism does not take into account the morally relevant difference between acts and omissions 5. Consequentialism requires too much of us (relate this to #3) Consequentialism ignores moral rules and moral rights A fundamental question of all ethics: Do we need the notion of rights? Big problems: Where do rights come from? What rights do we have? But can we have an acceptable ethical theory without rights? A Test Case for Consequentialism A friendly country turns over to the United States someone with close ties to, and information about, terrorist activities planned against the United States. You think that gaining this information could prevent a terrorist attack and many deaths. The man is hostile and not ready to talk. What is it morally acceptable to do to extract information from this man? What are the limits?

4 We Broke Him For three months of interrogation, Mr. Faruq provided investigators with only scraps. "He was a hostile interrogation," said a Western intelligence specialist. Then, two weeks ago, the interrogators "broke him," the specialist said. He declined to provide any details of the techniques employed in the questioning. Theory and Particular Cases Utilitarianism Ignores Justice Can t decide on particular case first and then pick the theory that matches. Why not? But we do test theory by application to specific cases. (Analogy with science.) Debate on role of intuition. Reflective equilibrium. Everyone has freedom Total happiness not as great 10% of population becomes slaves. 90% are extremely happy. Society has greatest balance of +/- points. Utilitarian chooses this. Utilitarianism Ignores Special Obligations to Special People But why should I save my daughter over 100 starving children? Cannot appeal to feelings Cannot appeal to what most people would do. Need an ethical principle. What principle might justify special obligation of Parents to their children? Children to their parents? Person to a 2-year-old brother? Person to a cousin? Person to a friend?

5 Williams: kill one Indian to save 19 others? Why does Williams think utilitarianism is wrong? What does he mean by integrity? a special responsibility for what we do in contrast to what others do or what we let happen. Morally Relevant Difference Between Acts and Omissions What if killing can reduce the number who die, as Williams Indian example? Is it morally worse to kill a patient who wants to die than not to treat? Is it morally worse to bomb innocent civilians than to allow them to die by not acting? Is it wrong to buy running shoes when the money could save many people s lives? Some criticize utilitarianism for requiring too much. Think About What is the strongest criticism of utilitarianism? Why? Can utilitarianism withstand criticism? Basic: A claim is well-grounded if the arguments for it can withstand criticism. A well-grounded claim is one more worthy of belief. Quiz 2 (Out of 4 points; 5 points possible) In one clear sentence, state one formulation of Kant s categorical imperative. (The course pack discusses 2 of them.) Kantian Ethics Difference between acts and omissions: action is done with a particular intent When I buy running shoes, I don t intend to kill innocent people Kant: utilitarianism doesn t understand the meaning of a moral agent. Kant: consequences are irrelevant to morality Happiness and unhappiness can result from earthquakes, sunsets, puppy dogs. Consequentialism and Consequentialism The only thing that determines the morality of an action are its results (consequences) are not the only thing to consider one of several things to consider Prima facie rules or prima facie rights (Non-absolute rules or rights) are irrelevant to the morality of an act Absolute rules or rights. Kantian ethics

6 Kant s 2 main concepts (review) Kant s view of human action The good will The categorical imperative Events in the world Cause event No freedom No moral praise or blame Actions of moral agent Action purposes, reasons, values Free will Can formulate idea of a moral rule Can choose whether or not to act Can be morally praiseworthy or blameworthy The Good Will and Kant s Concept of a Person as Moral Agent Kant: desires and inclinations are irrelevant Events in the world Cause EVENT Actions of persons as moral agents ACTION Intentions, purposes Two neighbors: one desires to kill you and doesn t; one has only loving desires Kant: one is not praiseworthy or blameworthy for feelings, desires. These are result of heredity and environment. One can choose whether to follow desires or moral rule when they conflict. One is responsible for this choice Categorical Imperative: 2 Formulations For a rule to be a moral rule, it must be one that you could will to universalize. treats persons as ends in themselves and not mere means. Could will to universalize Not that you would want everyone to follow it. (Then it would change with each person s wants.) Ideally: impossible to will everyone to follow; e.g., never help others but always be helped by other people. Also rules possible for everyone to follow but you couldn t will it.

7 Treat persons as ends, not mere means Don t use people Every person has intrinsic worth that cannot be traded off. Ideal society: a kingdom of ends Goes beyond utilitarianism Utilitarianism is impartial: everyone counts equally. If possible to kill one to save 9 others, all ten count equally. It would be wrong to kill the one if not necessary to save the 10. Kant: not enough. The one person has an inherent value that cannot be traded off. In spirit, Kantianism consistent with human rights. Criticisms of Kant s Ethics It is too abstract to generate rules that can guide concrete action. Kant s ethics has no way to resolve conflicts of rules (or rights) Kantian rules are too rigid. (They fail to consider consequences!)

Ethical Theory. Ethical Theory. Consequentialism in practice. How do we get the numbers? Must Choose Best Possible Act

Ethical Theory. Ethical Theory. Consequentialism in practice. How do we get the numbers? Must Choose Best Possible Act Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism Ethical Theory Utilitarianism (Consequentialism) in Practice Criticisms of Consequentialism Kant Consequentialism The only thing that determines the morality of

More information

Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I Participation Quiz Pick an answer between A E at random. What answer (A E) do you think will have been selected most frequently in the previous poll? Recap: Unworkable

More information

Ethics Course Pack. Table of Contents

Ethics Course Pack. Table of Contents Ethics Course Pack The hard copy of the course pack (purchased through Dollar Bill Copying) contains almost all materials for this course. This web version does not contain the copyrighted articles, which

More information

-- did you get a message welcoming you to the cours reflector? If not, please correct what s needed.

-- did you get a message welcoming you to the cours reflector? If not, please correct what s needed. 1 -- did you get a message welcoming you to the coursemail reflector? If not, please correct what s needed. 2 -- don t use secondary material from the web, as its quality is variable; cf. Wikipedia. Check

More information

Benjamin Visscher Hole IV Phil 100, Intro to Philosophy

Benjamin Visscher Hole IV Phil 100, Intro to Philosophy Benjamin Visscher Hole IV Phil 100, Intro to Philosophy Kantian Ethics I. Context II. The Good Will III. The Categorical Imperative: Formulation of Universal Law IV. The Categorical Imperative: Formulation

More information

Chapter 2 Normative Theories of Ethics

Chapter 2 Normative Theories of Ethics Chapter 2 Normative Theories of Ethics MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Consequentialism a. is best represented by Ross's theory of ethics. b. states that sometimes the consequences of our actions can be morally relevant.

More information

Suppose... Kant. The Good Will. Kant Three Propositions

Suppose... Kant. The Good Will. Kant Three Propositions Suppose.... Kant You are a good swimmer and one day at the beach you notice someone who is drowning offshore. Consider the following three scenarios. Which one would Kant says exhibits a good will? Even

More information

Mill s Utilitarian Theory

Mill s Utilitarian Theory Normative Ethics Mill s Utilitarian Theory John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism The Greatest Happiness Principle holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they

More information

Moral Philosophy : Utilitarianism

Moral Philosophy : Utilitarianism Moral Philosophy : Utilitarianism Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a moral theory that was developed by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). It is a teleological or consequentialist

More information

The form of relativism that says that whether an agent s actions are right or wrong depends on the moral principles accepted in her own society.

The form of relativism that says that whether an agent s actions are right or wrong depends on the moral principles accepted in her own society. Glossary of Terms: Act-consequentialism Actual Duty Actual Value Agency Condition Agent Relativism Amoralist Appraisal Relativism A form of direct consequentialism according to which the rightness and

More information

Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Lecture 6 Workable Ethical Theories I Participation Quiz Pick an answer between A E at random. (thanks to Rodrigo for suggesting this quiz) Ethical Egoism Achievement of your happiness is the only moral

More information

Evaluating actions The principle of utility Strengths Criticisms Act vs. rule

Evaluating actions The principle of utility Strengths Criticisms Act vs. rule UTILITARIAN ETHICS Evaluating actions The principle of utility Strengths Criticisms Act vs. rule A dilemma You are a lawyer. You have a client who is an old lady who owns a big house. She tells you that

More information

Chapter 2 Reasoning about Ethics

Chapter 2 Reasoning about Ethics Chapter 2 Reasoning about Ethics TRUE/FALSE 1. The statement "nearly all Americans believe that individual liberty should be respected" is a normative claim. F This is a statement about people's beliefs;

More information

24.01: Classics of Western Philosophy

24.01: Classics of Western Philosophy Mill s Utilitarianism I. Introduction Recall that there are four questions one might ask an ethical theory to answer: a) Which acts are right and which are wrong? Which acts ought we to perform (understanding

More information

Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Fall 2013 Russell Marcus

Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Fall 2013 Russell Marcus Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Fall 2013 Russell Marcus Class 28 -Kantian Ethics Marcus, Introduction to Philosophy, Slide 1 The Good Will P It is impossible to conceive anything at all in

More information

Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Spring 2011 Russell Marcus

Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Spring 2011 Russell Marcus Introduction to Philosophy Philosophy 110W Spring 2011 Russell Marcus Class 26 - April 27 Kantian Ethics Marcus, Introduction to Philosophy, Slide 1 Mill s Defense of Utilitarianism P People desire happiness.

More information

In-Class Kant Review Dialogue 1

In-Class Kant Review Dialogue 1 1 Kant Review Dialogue 1 Micah Tillman 05 April, 2010, slightly revised 18 March, 2011 Tedrick: Hey Kant! In-Class Kant Review Dialogue 1 Why, hello there Fredward. Tedrick: It s Tedrick. Fredward is my

More information

Definitions: Values and Moral Values

Definitions: Values and Moral Values Definitions: Values and Moral Values 1. Values those things that we care about; those things that matter to us; those goals or ideals to which we aspire and by which we measure ourselves and others in

More information

Lecture 6 Kantianism. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Lecture 6 Kantianism. Based on slides 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley Lecture 6 Kantianism Participation Quiz Pick an answer between A E at random. What answer (A E) do you think will have been selected most frequently in the previous poll? Recap: Unworkable Ethical Theories

More information

Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT

Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT KANT S OBJECTIONS TO UTILITARIANISM: 1. Utilitarianism takes no account of integrity - the accidental act or one done with evil intent if promoting good ends

More information

A primer of major ethical theories

A primer of major ethical theories Chapter 1 A primer of major ethical theories Our topic in this course is privacy. Hence we want to understand (i) what privacy is and also (ii) why we value it and how this value is reflected in our norms

More information

Ethics is subjective.

Ethics is subjective. Introduction Scientific Method and Research Ethics Ethical Theory Greg Bognar Stockholm University September 22, 2017 Ethics is subjective. If ethics is subjective, then moral claims are subjective in

More information

Deontology. Immanuel Kant ( ) Founder of Deontology

Deontology. Immanuel Kant ( ) Founder of Deontology Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Founder of Deontology The right act is that which is in accordance with the correct moral rule (GK. deon) or principle (Kant calls these maxims ) Rejects hedonism Rejects consequentialism

More information

Computer Ethics. Normative Ethics Ethical Theories. Viola Schiaffonati October 4 th 2018

Computer Ethics. Normative Ethics Ethical Theories. Viola Schiaffonati October 4 th 2018 Normative Ethics Ethical Theories Viola Schiaffonati October 4 th 2018 Overview (van de Poel and Royakkers 2011) 2 Ethical theories Relativism and absolutism Consequentialist approaches: utilitarianism

More information

24.03: Good Food 2/15/17

24.03: Good Food 2/15/17 Consequentialism and Famine I. Moral Theory: Introduction Here are five questions we might want an ethical theory to answer for us: i) Which acts are right and which are wrong? Which acts ought we to perform

More information

Philosophical Ethics. Consequentialism Deontology (Virtue Ethics)

Philosophical Ethics. Consequentialism Deontology (Virtue Ethics) Consequentialism Deontology (Virtue Ethics) Consequentialism Deontology (Virtue Ethics) Consequentialism the value of an action (the action's moral worth, its rightness or wrongness) derives entirely from

More information

KANTIAN ETHICS (Dan Gaskill)

KANTIAN ETHICS (Dan Gaskill) KANTIAN ETHICS (Dan Gaskill) German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was an opponent of utilitarianism. Basic Summary: Kant, unlike Mill, believed that certain types of actions (including murder,

More information

PHIL 202: IV:

PHIL 202: IV: Draft of 3-6- 13 PHIL 202: Core Ethics; Winter 2013 Core Sequence in the History of Ethics, 2011-2013 IV: 19 th and 20 th Century Moral Philosophy David O. Brink Handout #9: W.D. Ross Like other members

More information

Computer Ethics. Normative Ethics and Normative Argumentation. Viola Schiaffonati October 10 th 2017

Computer Ethics. Normative Ethics and Normative Argumentation. Viola Schiaffonati October 10 th 2017 Normative Ethics and Normative Argumentation Viola Schiaffonati October 10 th 2017 Overview (van de Poel and Royakkers 2011) 2 Some essential concepts Ethical theories Relativism and absolutism Consequentialist

More information

Chapter 3 PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS AND BUSINESS CHAPTER OBJECTIVES. After exploring this chapter, you will be able to:

Chapter 3 PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS AND BUSINESS CHAPTER OBJECTIVES. After exploring this chapter, you will be able to: Chapter 3 PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS AND BUSINESS MGT604 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES After exploring this chapter, you will be able to: 1. Explain the ethical framework of utilitarianism. 2. Describe how utilitarian

More information

INTRODUCTORY HANDOUT PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY---ETHICS Professor: Richard Arneson. TAs: Eric Campbell and Adam Streed.

INTRODUCTORY HANDOUT PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY---ETHICS Professor: Richard Arneson. TAs: Eric Campbell and Adam Streed. 1 INTRODUCTORY HANDOUT PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY---ETHICS Professor: Richard Arneson. TAs: Eric Campbell and Adam Streed. Lecture MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m. in Cognitive Science Bldg.

More information

Moral Theory. What makes things right or wrong?

Moral Theory. What makes things right or wrong? Moral Theory What makes things right or wrong? Consider: Moral Disagreement We have disagreements about right and wrong, about how people ought or ought not act. When we do, we (sometimes!) reason with

More information

Course Syllabus. Course Description: Objectives for this course include: PHILOSOPHY 333

Course Syllabus. Course Description: Objectives for this course include: PHILOSOPHY 333 Course Syllabus PHILOSOPHY 333 Instructor: Doran Smolkin, Ph. D. doran.smolkin@ubc.ca or doran.smolkin@kpu.ca Course Description: Is euthanasia morally permissible? What is the relationship between patient

More information

PHIL%13:%Ethics;%Fall%2012% David%O.%Brink;%UCSD% Syllabus% Part%I:%Challenges%to%Moral%Theory 1.%Relativism%and%Tolerance.

PHIL%13:%Ethics;%Fall%2012% David%O.%Brink;%UCSD% Syllabus% Part%I:%Challenges%to%Moral%Theory 1.%Relativism%and%Tolerance. Draftof8)27)12 PHIL%13:%Ethics;%Fall%2012% David%O.%Brink;%UCSD% Syllabus% Hereisalistoftopicsandreadings.Withinatopic,dothereadingsintheorderinwhich theyarelisted.readingsaredrawnfromthethreemaintexts

More information

GS SCORE ETHICS - A - Z. Notes

GS SCORE ETHICS - A - Z.   Notes ETHICS - A - Z Absolutism Act-utilitarianism Agent-centred consideration Agent-neutral considerations : This is the view, with regard to a moral principle or claim, that it holds everywhere and is never

More information

How should I live? I should do whatever brings about the most pleasure (or, at least, the most good)

How should I live? I should do whatever brings about the most pleasure (or, at least, the most good) How should I live? I should do whatever brings about the most pleasure (or, at least, the most good) Suppose that some actions are right, and some are wrong. What s the difference between them? What makes

More information

Ethical Theories. A (Very) Brief Introduction

Ethical Theories. A (Very) Brief Introduction Ethical Theories A (Very) Brief Introduction Last time, a definition Ethics: The discipline that deals with right and wrong, good and bad, especially with respect to human conduct. Well, for one thing,

More information

A Review on What Is This Thing Called Ethics? by Christopher Bennett * ** 1

A Review on What Is This Thing Called Ethics? by Christopher Bennett * ** 1 310 Book Review Book Review ISSN (Print) 1225-4924, ISSN (Online) 2508-3104 Catholic Theology and Thought, Vol. 79, July 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.21731/ctat.2017.79.310 A Review on What Is This Thing

More information

LYING TEACHER S NOTES

LYING TEACHER S NOTES TEACHER S NOTES INTRO Each student has to choose one of the following topics. The other students have to ask questions on that topic. During the discussion, the student has to lie once. The other students

More information

A. The Three Main Branches of the Philosophical Study of Ethics. 2. Normative Ethics

A. The Three Main Branches of the Philosophical Study of Ethics. 2. Normative Ethics A. The Three Main Branches of the Philosophical Study of Ethics 1. Meta-ethics 2. Normative Ethics 3. Applied Ethics 1 B. Meta-ethics consists in the attempt to answer the fundamental philosophical questions

More information

FINAL EXAM SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004

FINAL EXAM SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004 1 FINAL EXAM SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS PHILOSOPHY 13 FALL, 2004 Your name Your TA s name Time allowed: one and one-half hours. This section of the exam counts for one-half of your exam grade. No use of books

More information

W.D. Ross ( )

W.D. Ross ( ) W.D. Ross (1877-1971) British philosopher Translator or Aristotle Defends a pluralist theory of morality in his now-classic book The Right and the Good (1930) Big idea: prima facie duties Prima Facie Duties

More information

Is euthanasia morally permissible? What is the relationship between patient autonomy,

Is euthanasia morally permissible? What is the relationship between patient autonomy, Course Syllabus PHILOSOPHY 433 Instructor: Doran Smolkin, Ph. D. doran.smolkin@kpu.ca or doran.smolkin@ubc.ca Course Description: Is euthanasia morally permissible? What is the relationship between patient

More information

Short Answers: Answer the following questions in one paragraph (each is worth 5 points).

Short Answers: Answer the following questions in one paragraph (each is worth 5 points). HU2700 Spring 2008 Midterm Exam Answer Key There are two sections: a short answer section worth 25 points and an essay section worth 75 points. No materials (books, notes, outlines, fellow classmates,

More information

Ethical non-naturalism

Ethical non-naturalism Michael Lacewing Ethical non-naturalism Ethical non-naturalism is usually understood as a form of cognitivist moral realism. So we first need to understand what cognitivism and moral realism is before

More information

Ethics. Duty, Values, Motives, and Utilitarianism

Ethics. Duty, Values, Motives, and Utilitarianism Ethics Duty, Values, Motives, and Utilitarianism How selfish are we? Do you think it makes more sense to say that people are basically good and corrupted by society, or that people are basically bad and

More information

Utilitarianism pp

Utilitarianism pp Utilitarianism pp. 430-445. Assuming that moral realism is true and that there are objectively true moral principles, what are they? What, for example, is the correct principle concerning lying? Three

More information

SUMMARIES AND TEST QUESTIONS UNIT 6

SUMMARIES AND TEST QUESTIONS UNIT 6 SUMMARIES AND TEST QUESTIONS UNIT 6 Textbook: Louis P. Pojman, Editor. Philosophy: The quest for truth. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN-10: 0199697310; ISBN-13: 9780199697311 (6th Edition)

More information

factors in Bentham's hedonic calculus.

factors in Bentham's hedonic calculus. Answers to quiz 1. An autonomous person: a) is socially isolated from other people. b) directs his or her actions on the basis his or own basic values, beliefs, etc. c) is able to get by without the help

More information

Backward Looking Theories, Kant and Deontology

Backward Looking Theories, Kant and Deontology Backward Looking Theories, Kant and Deontology Study Guide Forward v. Backward Looking Theories Kant Goodwill Duty Categorical Imperative For Next Time: Rawls, Selections from A Theory of Justice Study

More information

24.02 Moral Problems and the Good Life

24.02 Moral Problems and the Good Life MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu 24.02 Moral Problems and the Good Life Fall 2008 For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms. Three Moral Theories

More information

Philosophical Ethics. The nature of ethical analysis. Discussion based on Johnson, Computer Ethics, Chapter 2.

Philosophical Ethics. The nature of ethical analysis. Discussion based on Johnson, Computer Ethics, Chapter 2. Philosophical Ethics The nature of ethical analysis Discussion based on Johnson, Computer Ethics, Chapter 2. How to resolve ethical issues? censorship abortion affirmative action How do we defend our moral

More information

Kant's Moral Philosophy

Kant's Moral Philosophy Kant's Moral Philosophy I. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (178.5)- Immanuel Kant A. Aims I. '7o seek out and establish the supreme principle of morality." a. To provide a rational basis for morality.

More information

Short Answers: Answer the following questions in one paragraph (each is worth 4 points).

Short Answers: Answer the following questions in one paragraph (each is worth 4 points). Humanities 2702 Fall 2007 Midterm Exam There are two sections: a short answer section worth 24 points and an essay section worth 75 points you get one point for writing your name! No materials (books,

More information

Ethics Prof. Vineet Sahu Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur

Ethics Prof. Vineet Sahu Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur Ethics Prof. Vineet Sahu Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur Module No. #01 Lecture No. #08 Deontological Theories Immanuel Kant Now, continuing to talk about,

More information

Post-Islamist Approach to Veiling: Islamic Hijab from an Ethical Perspective. Queen s University, March 2015

Post-Islamist Approach to Veiling: Islamic Hijab from an Ethical Perspective. Queen s University, March 2015 Post-Islamist Approach to Veiling: Islamic Hijab from an Ethical Perspective Queen s University, March 2015 . Unlike Islamists such as Ali Shariati and Ruhollah Khomeini, post-islamist reformists do believe

More information

Some Ethical Theories

Some Ethical Theories Some Ethical Theories Some Distinctions Ethical principles can be categorized according to whether they take judgments of value or judgments of obligation to be primary 1 I. Species of Moral Judgment I.

More information

A Categorical Imperative. An Introduction to Deontological Ethics

A Categorical Imperative. An Introduction to Deontological Ethics A Categorical Imperative An Introduction to Deontological Ethics Better Consequences, Better Action? More specifically, the better the consequences the better the action from a moral point of view? Compare:

More information

Philosophy 1100: Ethics

Philosophy 1100: Ethics Philosophy 1100: Ethics Topic 5: Utilitarianism: 1. More moral principles 2. Uncontroversially wrong actions 3. The suffering principle 4. J.S. Mill and Utilitarianism 5. The Lack of Time Argument 6. Presenting,

More information

Annotated List of Ethical Theories

Annotated List of Ethical Theories Annotated List of Ethical Theories The following list is selective, including only what I view as the major theories. Entries in bold face have been especially influential. Recommendations for additions

More information

Subject: The Nature and Need of Christian Doctrine

Subject: The Nature and Need of Christian Doctrine 1 Subject: The Nature and Need of Christian Doctrine In this introductory setting, we will try to make a preliminary survey of our subject. Certain questions naturally arise in approaching any study such

More information

Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT

Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT Deontology: Duty-Based Ethics IMMANUEL KANT A NOTE ON READING KANT Lord Macaulay once recorded in his diary a memorable attempt his first and apparently his last to read Kant s Critique: I received today

More information

The Pleasure Imperative

The Pleasure Imperative The Pleasure Imperative Utilitarianism, particularly the version espoused by John Stuart Mill, is probably the best known consequentialist normative ethical theory. Furthermore, it is probably the most

More information

Deontology, Rationality, and Agent-Centered Restrictions

Deontology, Rationality, and Agent-Centered Restrictions Florida Philosophical Review Volume X, Issue 1, Summer 2010 75 Deontology, Rationality, and Agent-Centered Restrictions Brandon Hogan, University of Pittsburgh I. Introduction Deontological ethical theories

More information

Let us begin by first locating our fields in relation to other fields that study ethics. Consider the following taxonomy: Kinds of ethical inquiries

Let us begin by first locating our fields in relation to other fields that study ethics. Consider the following taxonomy: Kinds of ethical inquiries ON NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORIES: SOME BASICS From the dawn of philosophy, the question concerning the summum bonum, or, what is the same thing, concerning the foundation of morality, has been accounted the

More information

DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS

DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS In ethical theories, if we mainly focus on the action itself, then we use deontological ethics (also known as deontology or duty ethics). In duty ethics, an action is morally right

More information

Download: Two clips from Star Trek. The needs of the many and The needs of the one found in Course Content Kant folder.

Download: Two clips from Star Trek. The needs of the many and The needs of the one found in Course Content Kant folder. TOPIC: Philosophy 1000 Lecture Introduction to Kant s deontology of Categorical Imperatives. KEY TERMS/ GOALS: Conformity with duty vs. motive from duty. Deontology. Kant s focus on agent s motives rather

More information

Q2) The test of an ethical argument lies in the fact that others need to be able to follow it and come to the same result.

Q2) The test of an ethical argument lies in the fact that others need to be able to follow it and come to the same result. QUIZ 1 ETHICAL ISSUES IN MEDIA, BUSINESS AND SOCIETY WHAT IS ETHICS? Business ethics deals with values, facts, and arguments. Q2) The test of an ethical argument lies in the fact that others need to be

More information

CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS LECTURE 14 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PART 2

CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS LECTURE 14 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PART 2 CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS LECTURE 14 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PART 2 1 THE ISSUES: REVIEW Is the death penalty (capital punishment) justifiable in principle? Why or why not? Is the death penalty justifiable

More information

ON THE INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN ARISTOTLE S AND KANT S IMPERATIVES TO TREAT A MAN NOT AS A MEANS BUT AS AN END-IN- HIMSELF

ON THE INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN ARISTOTLE S AND KANT S IMPERATIVES TO TREAT A MAN NOT AS A MEANS BUT AS AN END-IN- HIMSELF 1 ON THE INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN ARISTOTLE S AND KANT S IMPERATIVES TO TREAT A MAN NOT AS A MEANS BUT AS AN END-IN- HIMSELF Extract pp. 88-94 from the dissertation by Irene Caesar Why we should not be

More information

Foundations of Bioethics

Foundations of Bioethics introductory lectures in bioethics Foundations of Bioethics Paul Menzel Pacific Lutheran University (philosophy, emeritus) Visiting Professor of Bioethics, CUHK 17 October 2015 Centre for Bioethics, CUHK

More information

Humanities 4: Lectures Kant s Ethics

Humanities 4: Lectures Kant s Ethics Humanities 4: Lectures 17-19 Kant s Ethics 1 Method & Questions Purpose and Method: Transition from Common Sense to Philosophical Understanding of Morality Analysis of everyday moral concepts Main Questions:

More information

Utilitarianism. But what is meant by intrinsically good and instrumentally good?

Utilitarianism. But what is meant by intrinsically good and instrumentally good? Utilitarianism 1. What is Utilitarianism?: This is the theory of morality which says that the right action is always the one that best promotes the total amount of happiness in the world. Utilitarianism

More information

Philosophy 1100: Ethics

Philosophy 1100: Ethics Philosophy 1100: Ethics Topic 7: Ross Theory of Prima Facie Duties 1. Something all our theories have had in common 2. W.D. Ross 3. The Concept of a Prima Facie Duty 4. Ross List of Prima Facie Duties

More information

24.03: Good Food 3 April Animal Liberation and the Moral Community

24.03: Good Food 3 April Animal Liberation and the Moral Community Animal Liberation and the Moral Community 1) What is our immediate moral community? Who should be treated as having equal moral worth? 2) What is our extended moral community? Who must we take into account

More information

R. M. Hare (1919 ) SINNOTT- ARMSTRONG. Definition of moral judgments. Prescriptivism

R. M. Hare (1919 ) SINNOTT- ARMSTRONG. Definition of moral judgments. Prescriptivism 25 R. M. Hare (1919 ) WALTER SINNOTT- ARMSTRONG Richard Mervyn Hare has written on a wide variety of topics, from Plato to the philosophy of language, religion, and education, as well as on applied ethics,

More information

A CONSEQUENTIALIST RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDINGNESS OBJECTION Nicholas R. Baker, Lee University THE DEMANDS OF ACT CONSEQUENTIALISM

A CONSEQUENTIALIST RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDINGNESS OBJECTION Nicholas R. Baker, Lee University THE DEMANDS OF ACT CONSEQUENTIALISM 1 A CONSEQUENTIALIST RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDINGNESS OBJECTION Nicholas R. Baker, Lee University INTRODUCTION We usually believe that morality has limits; that is, that there is some limit to what morality

More information

Practical Rationality and Ethics. Basic Terms and Positions

Practical Rationality and Ethics. Basic Terms and Positions Practical Rationality and Ethics Basic Terms and Positions Practical reasons and moral ought Reasons are given in answer to the sorts of questions ethics seeks to answer: What should I do? How should I

More information

Divine command theory

Divine command theory Divine command theory Today we will be discussing divine command theory. But first I will give a (very) brief overview of the discipline of philosophy. Why do this? One of the functions of an introductory

More information

Is Morality Rational?

Is Morality Rational? PHILOSOPHY 431 Is Morality Rational? Topic #3 Betsy Spring 2010 Kant claims that violations of the categorical imperative are irrational acts. This paper discusses that claim. Page 2 of 6 In Groundwork

More information

Tools Andrew Black CS 305 1

Tools Andrew Black CS 305 1 Tools Andrew Black CS 305 1 Critical Thinking Everyone thinks, all the time Why Critical Thinking? Much of our thinking is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or down-right prejudiced. This costs us

More information

Philosophy Moral Philosophy: Student Activities Higher and Intermediate

Philosophy Moral Philosophy: Student Activities Higher and Intermediate Philosophy Moral Philosophy: Student Activities Higher and Intermediate 2 7899 . Summer 2000 HIGHER STILL Philosophy Moral Philosophy: Student Activities Higher and Intermediate 2 Support Materials CONTENTS

More information

The Future of Practical Philosophy: a Reply to Taylor

The Future of Practical Philosophy: a Reply to Taylor The Future of Practical Philosophy: a Reply to Taylor Samuel Zinaich, Jr. ABSTRACT: This response to Taylor s paper, The Future of Applied Philosophy (also included in this issue) describes Taylor s understanding

More information

Critical Reasoning and Moral theory day 3

Critical Reasoning and Moral theory day 3 Critical Reasoning and Moral theory day 3 CS 340 Fall 2015 Ethics and Moral Theories Differences of opinion based caused by different value set Deontology Virtue Religious and Divine Command Utilitarian

More information

The Ten Categories of Being. The Primacy of Substance

The Ten Categories of Being. The Primacy of Substance The Ten Categories of Being The Primacy of Substance Two Sentences Socrates is pale. Socrates is human. Two observations: There is no reason to assume that the deep grammar of these sentences matches their

More information

Psychological Aspects of Social Issues

Psychological Aspects of Social Issues Psychological Aspects of Social Issues Chapter 6 Nonconsequentialist Theories Do Your Duty 1 Outline/Overview The Ethics of Immanuel Kant Imperatives, hypothetical and categorical Means-end principle Evaluating

More information

Normative Ethical Theories

Normative Ethical Theories Normative Ethical Theories I. Normative Ethics A Normative Ethical Theory is a philosophical theory about the fundamental principles of morality. A fundamental principle of morality is a moral obligation

More information

New Chapter: Ethics and Morality

New Chapter: Ethics and Morality Intro to Philosophy Phil 110 Lecture 21: 3-27 Daniel Kelly I. Mechanics A. Upcoming Readings 1. Today we ll discuss a. Rachels, Subjectivism in Ethics b. Rachel s,the Challenge of Cultural Relativism 2.

More information

Introduction to Ethics

Introduction to Ethics Question 1: What is act-utilitarianism? Answer 1: Act-utilitarianism is a theory that is commonly presented in the writings of Jeremy Bentham and looks at the consequences of a specific act in determining

More information

A Contractualist Reply

A Contractualist Reply A Contractualist Reply The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Scanlon, T. M. 2008. A Contractualist Reply.

More information

THE ETHICS OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION: WINTER 2009

THE ETHICS OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION: WINTER 2009 Lying & Deception Definitions and Discussion Three constructions Do not lie has the special status of a moral law, which means that it is always wrong to lie, no matter what the circumstances. In Kant

More information

Animals in the Kingdom of Ends

Animals in the Kingdom of Ends 25 Animals in the Kingdom of Ends Heather M. Kendrick Department of Philosophy and Religion Central Michigan University field2hm@cmich.edu Abstract Kant claimed that human beings have no duties to animals

More information

DOES ETHICS NEED GOD?

DOES ETHICS NEED GOD? DOES ETHICS NEED GOD? Linda Zagzebski ntis essay presents a moral argument for the rationality of theistic belief. If all I have to go on morally are my own moral intuitions and reasoning and those of

More information

AN ACTUAL-SEQUENCE THEORY OF PROMOTION

AN ACTUAL-SEQUENCE THEORY OF PROMOTION BY D. JUSTIN COATES JOURNAL OF ETHICS & SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY DISCUSSION NOTE JANUARY 2014 URL: WWW.JESP.ORG COPYRIGHT D. JUSTIN COATES 2014 An Actual-Sequence Theory of Promotion ACCORDING TO HUMEAN THEORIES,

More information

Kantian Deontology - Part Two

Kantian Deontology - Part Two Kantian Deontology - Part Two Immanuel Kant s Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals Nathan Kellen University of Connecticut October 1st, 2015 Table of Contents Hypothetical Categorical The Universal

More information

PREFERENCES AND VALUE ASSESSMENTS IN CASES OF DECISION UNDER RISK

PREFERENCES AND VALUE ASSESSMENTS IN CASES OF DECISION UNDER RISK Huning, Assessments under Risk/15 PREFERENCES AND VALUE ASSESSMENTS IN CASES OF DECISION UNDER RISK Alois Huning, University of Düsseldorf Mankind has begun to take an active part in the evolution of nature,

More information

Scanlon on Double Effect

Scanlon on Double Effect Scanlon on Double Effect RALPH WEDGWOOD Merton College, University of Oxford In this new book Moral Dimensions, T. M. Scanlon (2008) explores the ethical significance of the intentions and motives with

More information

Psychological and Ethical Egoism

Psychological and Ethical Egoism Psychological and Ethical Egoism Wrapping up Error Theory Psychological Egoism v. Ethical Egoism Ought implies can, the is/ought fallacy Arguments for and against Psychological Egoism Ethical Egoism Arguments

More information

Ethics (ETHC) JHU-CTY Course Syllabus

Ethics (ETHC) JHU-CTY Course Syllabus (ETHC) JHU-CTY Course Syllabus Required Items: Ethical Theory: An Anthology 5 th ed. Russ Shafer-Landau. Wiley-Blackwell. 2013 The Fundamentals of 2 nd ed. Russ Shafer-Landau. Oxford University Press.

More information

Common Morality: Deciding What to Do 1

Common Morality: Deciding What to Do 1 Common Morality: Deciding What to Do 1 By Bernard Gert (1934-2011) [Page 15] Analogy between Morality and Grammar Common morality is complex, but it is less complex than the grammar of a language. Just

More information