Normative Ethical Theories

NORMATIVE ETHICAL THEORIES Objective Discuss the normative ethical theories L2 Normative Ethical Theories Beliefs about how people should behave can be classified into at least 2 major categories Teleological theories (Consequentialism) Right strikeions are those that produce the most or optimize the consequences of ones choices. demeanour is ethical if it results in desirable doings 1. 2. 3. 4. Ethical egoism Ethical elitism Ethical parochialism Ethical universalism Deontological theories (Duty and Rights) Duties are set down as holds which must be followed. Rights are behaviours that a person expects of others.Actions are intrinsically right or wrong regardless of the consequences which they produce. 1. Theological ethics 2. Rationalism 3. Social contract possibleness Ethical Egoism Based on the belief that people should act in a way that maximises the good of the person making the decision. For e. g. ethical egoists would non stop to help the victim of a road accident i f that would make them late for a dinner reservation. They are non concerned with rules or veritable behaviour but behave in a way which is in their own interest. Hedonism Ethical behaviour for hedonist would be that which gratifies a desire for fun and minimises pain.Ethical Egoism Adam Smith Advocated the pursuit of maximum self-interest. Believed that such a policy pursued by individuals would lead to the maximisation of societys interest. An invisible hand restrained the individual from behaviour that would damage the interests of society. Miltons Friedmans Restricted Egoism There is one and only one social duty of business to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open nd free competition without deception or fraud. Suggests that the behaviour of individuals seeking to maximise their selfinterest should be constrained by the law and the conventions of c ompetition and fair play. Would not allow breaking the law or the violation of accepted codes of behaviour in pursuing self-interest. Ethical elitism Suggests that society is stratified and that ethical behaviour should maximise the interests of only the top stratum or the elite. Examples (a) S remaindering thousands of soldiers to their deaths in a battle would be ethical behaviour if it improved the generals reputation, (b) The departure of a mere accounts clerk to protect the reputation of the accountant would be regarded as ethical behaviour by a society that subscribed ethical elitism. Ethical parochialism Assumes that ethical behaviour should protect the interest of the individuals in-group. The in-group could be the individuals family, friends, professional associates, religion, gender, etc. Ethical parochialism would regard cunning to protect a family member as ethical behaviour. Similarly preferring as employees former students from the employers old school. Ethical universalism (John Stuart hoagys utilitarianism) Suggests that ethical behaviour should be concerned with the good of all people and that individuals are all of equal value. Any behaviour which pursues the interests of an individual at the expense of others would be unethical. Mill modified Benthams theory. Bentham argued that when individuals seek to maximise their utility, the communitys utility is also maximised.Mills greatest happiness principle meant that an individual should not act to maximise personal utility but the utility of the community as a whole. Ethical universalism (John Stuart Mills utilitarianism) Moral principle of utilitarianism Persons ought to act in a way that promotes the maximum net expectable utility, that is, the greatest net benefits or the lowest net costs, for the broadest community affection by their actions. An extreme shell This theory would accept an individual being killed to save the lives of many others.Although the individual who was ki lled suffered a considerable loss of utility, the increase in the utility of those who survived more than equilibrize for that loss. Mills utilitarianism is regarded as the most acceptable of the teleological theories replaces blatant self-interest. Theological ethics Relies on religion, where rules must be followed as set down, as established by God. It is Gods command that we should behave in certain ways. Conforming to Gods rules is ethical. It provides a powerful set of duties for people. Strictest description requires compliance with Gods rules regardless of the circumstances or consequences. However, faith or beliefs are not universal, with many different religions and varying degrees of faith with all(prenominal) religion and interpretation. Rationalism Immanuel Kant Sought a simple maxim based on a reason or rationality that would provide a rule for a general duty which would override all others. He suggested the categorical imperative as a universally valid ethica l law, i. e. Act as if the principle from which you act were to become through your will a universal law of natureImmanuel Kant First Maxim Note Categorical imperative it is absolute and does not allow for any exceptions Maxim is an implied general principle underlying a particular action. The categorical imperative is a philosophical formulation of the Christian specious Rule Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Thus to decide whether a contemplated action is ethical, the categorical imperative must be applied to that action. For e. g. a person who is about to break a promise must ask, Would I desire a law which says that everybody may break promises if they so choose? If the dress is No, then the proposed action is unethical. Act so that you treat humanity whether in your own person or in that of another, of all time as an end and never as a means only Immanuel Kant Second Maxim People should not be used to achieve an end no content how worthy that end may appear to be. The end does not justify the means. Kant proposed that applying these maxims to every proposed behaviour would lead to ethical behaviour. Kant strongly implies that perfect duties are always obliged to be followed such as telling the truth or keeping a promise,William Ross major Facie Obligation Ross, in contrast to Kant, refused to accept these duties as absolute or prevailing without exception. Argues that they are leading(predicate) facie duties which means that they are moral imperatives that should apply most of the time under normal circumstances. A prima facie obligation is a conditional one that can be superceded by a more important, higher obligation, usually under very exceptional circumstances. William Ross Prima Facie Obligation Ross Seven Basic Moral Duties on Moral Agents one and only(a) ought to keep promises and tell the truth (fidelity). One ought to right the wrongs that one has inflicted on others (reparation). One ought to distribute goods justly (justice). One ought to improve the lot of others with respect to virtue, intelligence, and happiness (beneficence). One ought to improve the lot of others with respect to virtue and intelligence (self-improvement). One ought to depict gratitude when appropriate (gratitude). One ought to avoid injury to others (non-injury). Social contract theory Assumes that there is a social contract between the individual and the state which requires both(prenominal) to perform certain duties and gives to both certain rights. A social contract is an unwritten agreement based on custom and accepted without dissent. A trouble to perform the duties implied by the social contract would be unethical behaviour. It suggests fairness and equality, and relies on cooperation. For e. g. by observing the road rules, one surrenders certain personal liberties in the hope of receiving safe road-driving conditions in return. Another e. g. If society wishes to receive well organised and skilfu l professional services, it must be prepared to relinquish a certain degree of autonomy and grant professionals special privileges of autonomy and power in return.