Ethics The Theories

Divine Command Theory: God’s Law A Virtue Ethic (character matters) Good and bad are based on level of obedience to God Christianity, Islam, and Judaism You cannot disobey God’s commandments. Problems exist within interpretation of these commandments. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Does pre-marital sex count or is it just cheating while married? Does an emotional affair count or is it just sex-based?) Not all religions have a Divine Command Theory, even if they have moral codes

Eudaimonism: Virtues & Leading a Good Life A Virtue Ethic (character matters) Being “good” means that you are a good person, though you do good because you are good in the first place. Doing “good” makes you a virtuous person and will create a happy, well-adjusted, and fulfilled person. Think of most modern self-help books.

Deontology: Rights and Duties A Contract Theory (universal right and wrong) Obligations are based on your duty. Right an Wrong are defined based on spoken or unspoken contract regardless of consequence. You have a duty to complete your homework regardless of it being checked.

Consequentialism: Values & Consequences Consequentialist Ethic (The End Result) Ethics are based on the end results. If the end is bad, the ethics are bad. If a student fails, the teacher is bad.

Hedonism: Pleasure and Pain A Utilitarian Ethic (should increase happiness) Good and bad are determined on overall pleasure or pain. Something that is good causes pleasure. Something that is bad causes pain. You must take into account the whole picture, not just pleasure for pleasure’s sake You may break a traditional moral code to increase happiness

Altruism A Kantianism Ethic (based on universal principles not end result) When you act for someone else’s benefit. Selfless acts are good despite any consequence tied to them Selfish acts are bad despite any benefit.

Egoism A Kantianism Ethic When you act solely for your own benefit You must, though, act rationally. If you study for the upcoming test in History, it will raise the class average so that you get a class incentive.

Care Ethics A move away from the collective or universal system to the appropriate response for an individual. We are all dependent on each other Some are caring Some are cared-for We must use context in order to interpret good or bad If a woman gets caught stealing bread to feed her family because she is destitute, her action is morally good.

Your Task Go to the link that says “Moral Dilemmas” under the Ethics heading on the Tok website For each moral dilemma, tell what a person ascribing to each ethical theory would do. Circle the one that you would most likely adhere to. Turn it into the big drawer on the left side of the classroom.

Example 1.Holocaust Scenario 1.Divine Command: No. Thou shalt not murder. 2.Eudaimonism: No. Participation means bad character. 3.Deontology: Yes. Rules of Camp Itself means following orders. 4.Consequentialism: No way. To do so would mean I’m bad. 5.Hedonism: Yes. One-for-two. 6.Altruism: Yes. Selfless act because you are killing son. 7.Egoism: Yes. Selfish act to kill, but overall benefit there. 8.Care Ethics: Yes. Responsibility to other campmates.