ethical theories

3. Theory:
a system of ideas
intended to
explain something
Examples?

4. • Deontologism
• Contractarianism
• Consequentialism
• Egoism
• Virtue Ethics
• Care Ethics
• Empathy Ethics
On which corners of the triangle shall
we place these theories?

5. Deontologism
Contractarianism
Consequentialism
Egoism
Virtue Ethics
Care Ethics
Empathy Ethics

7. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the morality of an action’s
adherence to a rule or rules.

8. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the morality of an action’s
adherence to a rule or rules.
What corner will it emphasize?

9. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the morality of an action’s
adherence to a rule or rules.
N
S P

10. Introduction to Ethics
Deontologists live in a universe of
absolute moral rules, such as:
• It is wrong to kill innocent people
• It is wrong to steal
• It is wrong to tell lies
• It is right to keep promises
N
S P
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml

11. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the morality of an action’s
adherence to a rule or rules.
N
S P
What might it be weak in?

12. Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism says:
Some kinds of action are wrong or right in
themselves, regardless of the consequences.
Someone who follows Duty-based ethics should
do the right thing, even if that produces more
harm (or less good) than doing the wrong thing.
People have a duty to do the right
thing, even if it produces a
bad result. N
S P
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml

13. Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism:
Because of its lack of focus on
consequences, deontologism is
sometimes called
non-consequentialism.
N
S P
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml

14. Introduction to Ethics
Deontologism says:
Some kinds of actions are right, despite the
motivations or purposes of the person.
Easy to fall into mere rule following.
Easy to fall into ethical hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy: the practice of claiming
to have moral standards or beliefs
to which one's own behavior
does not conform.
N
S P

15. Introduction to Ethics
Kant’s called this rule:
The
Categorical
Imperative

16. Introduction to Ethics
Testing the Categorical Imperative.
Could these be made rules?
a. Don’t keep your promises.
b. Lie when it helps you.
c. Do not murder.
d. Do not steal.
e. Do not jump the queue.
f. Let poor people help themselves.
g. Sell all you have and give it to the
poor.

17. Introduction to Ethics
Testing the Categorical Imperative:
Moral Dilemmas

18. Testing the Categorical Imperative:
Dilemma:
Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her
whole twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her
parents that the only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart
transplant procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that
she does not want to go through with the procedure and accept the
consequences which would be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants
to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid overlook the fact that Emma has
stated that she does not want the heart transplant; after all, Emma is
still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know what's best for her in a
field that makes their students study for practically twelve years. Dr.
Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go through
with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the
wish of Emma.

19. Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Deontologism:
• Emphasizes respect for every human.
• Makes some actions always wrong
• Provides certainty
Weaknesses of Deontologism:
• Hard to handle exceptions
• Hard to solve conflicting rules
• Allows acts that create many bad
consequences

20. Consequentialism

21. Deontologist
Contractarianism
Consequentialism
Egoism
Virtue Ethics
Care Ethics
Empathy Ethics

22. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the rightness or wrongness of
actions based upon the results
of conduct.

23. Introduction to Ethics
A type of consequentialism
is :
Utilitarianism

24. Introduction to Ethics
Utilitarianism focuses on a
specific consequence:
happiness

25. Introduction to Ethics
The ethical theory that judges
the rightness or wrongness of
actions based upon the results
of conduct.
What corner will it emphasize?

26. Introduction to Ethics
Consequentialists strive to maximize
goodness.
No type of act is inherently wrong -
not even murder - it depends on the
result of the act.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
N
PS

27. Introduction to Ethics
The Appeal of Consequentialism:
• It seems sensible to base ethics on producing
happiness and reducing unhappiness
• It seems sensible to base ethics on the
consequences of what we do, since we usually
take decisions about what to do by considering
what results will be produced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml
N
PS

29. Introduction to Ethics
Consequentialism says:
No rule can tell us what is inherently good or
bad.
No interior state of the person is relevant to
ethical decisions.
N
S P

30. Introduction to Ethics
Testing Consequentialism:
a. Don’t keep your promises.
b. Lie when it helps you.
c. Do not murder.
d. Do not steal.
e. Do not jump the queue.
f. Let poor people help themselves.
g. Sell all you have and give it to the
poor.

31. Introduction to Ethics
Testing Consequentialism:
Dilemma:
Remember
the trolley
dilemma?

32. Testing Consequentialism:
Dilemma:
Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her
whole twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her
parents that the only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart
transplant procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that
she does not want to go through with the procedure and accept the
consequences which would be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants
to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid overlook the fact that Emma has
stated that she does not want the heart transplant; after all, Emma is
still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know what's best for her in a
field that makes their students study for practically twelve years. Dr.
Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go through
with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the
wish of Emma.

33. Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Consequentialism:
• Flexible
• Focuses on happiness
• Simple
Weaknesses of Consequentialism:
• Hard to predict results
• Difficult to measure happiness
• Difficult to predict others’ behavior
• Ignores character, past, fairness

34. Virtue Ethics

35. Deontologism
Contractarianism
Consequentialism
Egoism
Virtue Ethics
Care Ethics
Empathy Ethics

36. Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics: the ethical theory
that good is what a person with
a deep habit or disposition for
goodness will choose over time.

37. Introduction to Ethics
What is a “habit”?
‫العادة‬
habit:
a settled or regular practice,
especially one that is hard to
give up

38. Introduction to Ethics
What is a “virtue”?
virtue:
a virtue is a moral habit that a
person needs to live well.
https://www.viacharacter.org/sur
vey/account/register

39. Introduction to Ethics
What are some examples of virtues?
• Wisdom
• Justice
• Fidelity
• Courage
• Self-care
• Self-control
• Honesty
• Joy
• Peace
• Kindness
• Love
• Tolerance

40. Introduction to Ethics
What are some examples of virtues?
• Wisdom – good judgment
• Justice -- fairness
• Fidelity – care for the close
• Courage -- forbearance
• Self-care – responsibility to self
• Self-control -- restraint

41. 22 Virtues:
Creativity Curiosity Openness
Perspective Bravery Wonder
Perseverance Honesty Zest
Love Kindness Empathy
Teamwork Fairness Leadership
ForgivenessHumility Self-Control
Gratitude Hope
Humor Spirituality

42. Introduction to Ethics
“Virtue ethics is person rather than
action based: it looks at the virtue or
moral character of the person
carrying out an action, rather than at
ethical duties and rules, or the
consequences of particular actions.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/virtue.shtml

43. Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics:
the ethical theory that good is what a
person with a deep habit or
disposition for goodness will choose
over time.
N
S P

45. Introduction to Ethics
Virtue Ethics says:
No rule by itself is inherently good or bad. Only
persons are.
No facts by themselves can tell us what is good
or bad.
N
S
P

46. Introduction to Ethics
Testing Virtue Ethics:
a. Don’t keep your promises.
b. Lie when it helps you.
c. Do not murder.
d. Do not steal.
e. Do not jump the queue.
f. Let poor people help themselves.
g. Sell all you have and give it to the
poor.

47. Introduction to Ethics
Strengths of Virtue Ethics:
• It centers ethics on the person and
what it means to be human
• It includes the whole of a person's life
Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics:
• No clear guidance for moral dilemmas
• No clear agreement on what the virtues
are
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/duty_1.shtml

48. Testing Virtue:
Dilemma:
Emma Ogden has been suffering from a persistent heart defect her whole
twelve-year-old life. Dr. Abdul Hamid conveys to her and her parents that the
only chance of survival that Emma has is a risky heart transplant
procedure. Emma, who is mature for her age, decides that she does not want
to go through with the procedure and accept the consequences which would
be death. Dr. Hamid is startled and wants to treat her but is stuck. Dr. Hamid
overlook the fact that Emma has stated that she does not want the heart
transplant; after all, Emma is still a minor. How can a twelve-year-old know
what's best for her in a field that makes their students study for practically
twelve years. Dr. Hamid talked to Emma's parents and get the consent to go
through with the procedure. But, her parents doesn’t want to go against the wish
of Emma.