Ethical Theories Compared

Three Secular Philosophies Existential Ethics –A matter of human inwardness Not motivated by external reward No standard outside ourselves Ethical behavior is an expression of what a person is Sartre denies objective, external value and adopts “authenticity”

Teleological Ethics –Telos: end or goal –The actions we should perform are those that produce the most happiness or good –Linked to an empiricist theory of knowledge –The end justifies the means –Dutch: viagra more important than a cure for cancer –Good for all: Utilitarianism

Deontological Ethics –An ethic of duty or obligation –A person is obliged to do certain actions “for duty’s sake” – Kant –Seeks to get beyond the ethics by Gallop poll mentality –Categorical imperative: Kantianism

Christian Ethic: John FrameJohn Frame Existential Perspective –Who I am informed by scripture Situational Perspective –Examine the situation as the milieu into which God’s norms are to be applied Deontological Perspective –Scripture identifies the “duties”

How to make an ethical judgment Questions to consider: –What people and organizations are affected? –What courses of action are possible? –What will the impact be on the stakeholders? –What are the responsibilities of the decision makers and rights of the stakeholders? –Which courses of action are unethical, which obligatory, and which OK but not required?