1. Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
Chapter 19
Introduction to Ethical Reasoning

2. Normative Ethics and the Varieties of Value
Ethics is an important branch of philosophy because it directs our attention:
Not only to human morality but to values in general
While one thing may be good for the sake of some particular end:
That end may be a means to a further end
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3. Normative Ethics and the Varieties of Value
Does the means/end chain go on forever, or does it come to rest, and if so where?
The kind of approach to ethics which emphasizes the purposeful sense of good:
Usually leads to the conclusion that good is:
Ultimately or finally human happiness or well-being
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4. Normative Ethics and the Varieties of Value
There have been two primary accounts of the nature of this happiness:
Eudaemonism and hedonism
Eudaemonism, happiness is equated with human flourishing:
The general fulfillment of a human being’s significant capacities
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5. Normative Ethics and the Varieties of Value
According to hedonism, ultimate human good is pleasure and happiness is thus:
Equated with the maximization of pleasure
Anything is good, according to this theory, if it contributes to human pleasure
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6. Human and Functional Goodness
Assuming that we can justify this treatment of the natural world simply as an:
Object of human use, what can we say about:
The goodness and badness of people based on this analogy?
Human purpose on this view would be to fulfill human nature or potential
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7. Human and Functional Goodness
Applying the functional analysis of manufactured goods to the analysis of:
Human goodness does lead to the ethical position of eudaemonism mentioned earlier
A good life, according to this view:
Is one which taps to the fullest the inherent capacities of each person
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8. Deontological Views
Many philosophers believe that there is something unsatisfactory about looking at:
Human goodness in the same way we look at toothpick goodness
This point can be brought out most forcefully by considering the ambiguity in:
The word good when applied to human beings
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9. Deontological Views
Would it be wrong to deceive another person even if that person never found out
While at the same time, it helped you in some way?
Ethics of duty
Immanuel Kant
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10. Deontological Views
What will I get out of it? Something is good if it is good for me
The most important difference between the ethics of duty and utilitarianism:
Concerns our treatment of people
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