Non-Consequential Theories Virtue Based Ethics

Non-Consequential
Non Consequential
Theories
Theories that base morality on
factors other than the results or
outcomes of actions
Virtue Based Ethics
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Greek Virtues
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Focuses primarily on personal character
traits and emphasizes the goal of personal
excellence by doing the right thing by
focusing on certain character traits.
Socrates
Emphasized the need for critical thinking
with regards to ethical decision making.
Movement away for tradition, customs and
religious rituals towards critical view of
ethical terms.
Developed the ‘Socratic Socratic Method’ Method of
interrogating someone who claimed to
know the right thing to do.
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Plato
A student of Socrates
Most influential in spreading the ideas of
Socrates, but more importantly on
investigating the virtues.
Central virtues:
Self-control
Self control
Wisdom
Courage
Justice
Aristotle
Student of Plato
Key term: eudamonia
Happiness
Living well
Flourishing
Considered over a life time
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Aristotle
All men seek the good.
Teleological theory – emphasis on goal
The eudamonia and virtue are interconnected.
Virtue (excellence) is the means to acquiring the
eudaimonia.
eudaimonia
Certain types of actions are wrong regardless.
Two types of virtue
Intellectual
Moral
Aristotle
Golden mean: Doing the right thing, at the
right time, for the right reasons and with
the right motives.
Virtue is a state of character, concerned
choice, lying in a mean, that mean relative
to us and determined by rational principle
or by that principle which the rational man
would determine it.
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Application
Assume natural desire for happiness and
fulfillment .
Determine the virtues called for by the
situation.
Evaluate the options using the Golden
Mean.
Choose the wisest course of action
consistent with the virtues and the Golden
Mean.
Other Virtue Based Ethics
Contemporary attempts to focus on the
development of character.
Virtues are chosen which are seen to
promote the best character type.
Typical virtues emphasized:
Trustworthiness, honesty, responsibility,
justice, caring, tolerance, courage.
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Natural Law Theory
The standard in ethics is human nature.
What are our God given natures?
Reason is given to us.
No conflict between reason and faith.
Reason can be used to prove the truths
of faith and revelation.
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Division of Basic Values
Biological Characteristics
Distinctly Human Characteristics
Life
Procreative
Knowledge
Sociability
Four basic values.
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Life
From the natural inclinations that we and
all other animals have to preserve our own
existence, we can infer that life is good,
that we have an obligation to promote our
own health, and that we have the right to
self defense. Negatively, this inclination
implies that murder and suicide are
wrong.
Procreation
From the natural inclination that we
and all animals have to engage in
sexual intercourse and to rear
offspring we can infer that
procreation is a value and that we
have an obligation to produce and
rear children. Negatively, this
inclination implies that such practices
as sterilization, homosexuality, and
artificial contraception are wrong.
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Knowledge
From the natural tendency we have
to know, including the tendency to
seek knowledge of God, we can infer
that knowledge is a value and that we
have an obligation to pursue
knowledge of the world and God.
Negatively, this inclination implies
that the stifling of the intellectual
curiosity and the pursuit of
knowledge is wrong. It also implies
that a lack of religion is wrong.
Sociability
From the natural tendency we have to form
bonds of affection and love with other human
beings and to associate with others in societies,
we can infer that friendship and love are good
and that the state is a natural institution and
therefore good. We thus have an obligation to
pursue close relationships with other human
beings and to submit to the legitimate authority
of the state. Negatively, this is inclination implies
that activities that interfere with proper human
relationships, such as spreading slander and also
lies, are wrong. Actions that destroy the state
are wrong, also.
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Contemporary Natural Values
Human Life
Health
Procreation (human reproduction)
Caring for children and promoting their
welfare
Knowledge and the avoidance of
ignorance.
Human relationships and the consideration
of other people’s people s interest.
Application
Consider all possible optional actions.
Evaluate each action to see if it violates or
interferes with any of the universal human
goods.
Eliminate all options that clearly violate
one or more universal goods.
Any options remaining are morally
permissible.
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Natural Rights
Individual rights as the cornerstone value in American
ethics.
Locke
Life
Liberty
Property
Jefferson
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
Must avoid violation of rights of others.
Rights are derived from creator.
United Nations
Human Rights
Security Rights – Protect people against murder, injury, and torture.
Due Process Rights – Protect people against arbitrary and
excessively harsh punishments and require fair and public trials for
those accused of crimes.
Liberty Rights – Protects people’s people s freedoms in areas such as belief,
expression, association and movement.
Political Rights – Protect people’s people s liberty to participate I politics by
assembling, protesting, voting and serving in public office.
Equality Rights – Guarantee equal citizenship, equality before the
law, and freedom from discrimination.
Welfare Rights – Require that people be provided with education
and protected against starvation and severe poverty.
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Types of Rights
Negative Rights – implies a freedom from
the interference of others.
Positive Rights – Three Requirements
Someone else “owes owes” you the thing to which
you are entitled.
You do not have to get it for yourself.
Someone else is supposed to get it for you.
Application
Consider all possible applications
Eliminate any options clearly violate
anyone’s anyone s negative rights.
Determine whether any remaining options
represent positive rights that might imply
obligation to others.
All actions that do not violate any positive
or negative rights are morally permissible.
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