1. Ethics: Theory and Practice
Jacques P. Thiroux
Keith W. Krasemann

2. Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing
Chapter Twelve C
Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing

3. Nonconsequentialist and Consequentialist Views
Rule nonconsequentialist views are opposed to any of the four acts at any time
Kant- if you universalize lying, cheating, breaking promises, stealing, then…..
Promises have no meaning, lie contradicts truth telling, treat humans as a means to an end.
Some cultures are next in severity to killing
Some cultures are worse

4. Nonconsequentialist and Consequentialist Views
Consequentialist and act nonconsequentialist views
Act nonconsequentialists (intuition) would not necessarily take a stand for or against these issues unless they felt like doing so

5. Nonconsequentialist and Consequentialist Views
Consequentialist theories would accept any of the four actions if the greatest good consequences would result
Ethical Egoists- if in best their interest
Act Utilitarian- if they thought would bring best consequences for everyone affected by act
Rule Utilitarian- would have rules, would have exceptions

6. Most see lying, cheating
Most see lying, cheating. Breaking promises, stealing as wrong in general
Destroys trust, relationships
People disappointed, angry, upset/ NOT happiness

7. Breaking Promises
A Promise is declaration, vow, agreement into which a person enters freely.

8. Breaking Promises
Implied agreements such as the following allow us to live safely and meaningfully with each other in society:
Not to do harm to one another
Not to lie or cheat
To obey laws imposed for the general good
To stop at red lights and stop signs
To treat each other with respect and dignity
To keep promises we make

9. Breaking Promises
Breaking promises is a form of dishonesty, as is cheating

10. Breaking Promises
In earlier days, a person’s promise or word was an integral part of reputation, but now many promises or agreements have to be written down for two reasons:
They are more complex
Fewer people actually honor their agreements

11. Arguments Against Breaking Promises
Breaking promises destroys human relationships
Again, the Domino argument applies here

12. Arguments Against Breaking Promises
Breaking promises seriously affects people’s life choices
Breaking promises destroys general social trust
Loss of personal integrity may result

13. https://dq9ucdqjq6nrk. cloudfront

14. Arguments Against Breaking Promises
Breaking promises destroys human relationships
Again, the Domino argument applies here
Breaking promises seriously affects people’s life choices
Breaking promises destroys general social trust
Loss of personal integrity may result

15. Arguments for Breaking Promises
One should have the individual freedom to decide which promises to keep and which to break
Any rules against breaking promises are a denial of such freedom
Changed circumstances
I can’t afford to pay you back
I fell out of love

16. Arguments for Breaking Promises
Breaking promises should be allowed when more important moral issues are involved, such as protecting and saving human life
p250
It should be allowed when no harm is done to anyone by breaking the promise

17. Arguments for Breaking Promises
Promises made in unusual situations, for example, as to satisfy someone on his or her deathbed, can justifiably be broken later on, especially for good reasons
Just as we often say, “buyer beware,” recipients of promises also should beware – they shouldn’t count on promises being kept

18. Case Studies- Breaking Promises p251-252.
Ethical egoism- self interest
Utilitarianism- bring best good consequences for all involved
Divine Command theory
Kant’s Duty ethics- categorical imperative
Ross’s Prima Facie Duties- p54
Virtue Ethics- virtuous character

19. Stealing
A basic assumption in most societies is that people are entitled to what they have inherited, invested, created, and earned
Therefore, stealing generally is considered to be immoral

20. Arguments Against Stealing
People have property rights, which are often considered as important or even more important than life itself
Stealing breaks down the trust people have in one another

21. Arguments Against Stealing
Stealing constitutes a serious invasion of privacy
The Domino argument

22. Arguments Against Stealing
Stealing has destructive effects, both physical and psychological, upon victims

23. Arguments Against Stealing
Thieves themselves can be seriously affected through loss of integrity and through punishment if they are caught

24. Arguments Against Stealing
As with the other three issues, stealing also has a bad effect on society in general

25. Arguments For Stealing
We live in a corrupt economic system in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
Sometimes the only way to achieve some sort of balance between these inequities is to steal

26. Arguments For Stealing
Stealing should be allowed in crucial emergency situations, such as to prevent the starvation of children

27. Arguments For Stealing
Stealing is a way out for those who crave a life of thrills, adventure, and excitement

28. Arguments For Stealing
It is allowable to steal from institutions and organizations because they can afford it and end up with most of our money anyway

29. Arguments For Stealing
As with cheating, one ought to be allowed to steal as long as one doesn’t get caught

30. Arguments For Stealing
It can be condoned when it involves stealing government and military secrets from potential or real enemies so as to protect one’s own national security

31. Case Studies- Stealing p255-256
Ethical egoism- self interest
Utilitarianism- bring best good consequences for all involved
Divine Command theory
Kant’s Duty ethics- categorical imperative
Ross’s Prima Facie Duties- p54
Virtue Ethics- virtuous character