Ethical Theories

and
Major Moral
Principles

Ethical Theories
Utilitarianism:
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
an ethics of consequences
an action is good if it produces the
greatest good for the greatest number

Ethical Theories
Utilitarianism:
what does "good" mean???
a) pleasure = hedonistic utilitarianism
b) pluralistic goods, e.g., friendship,
knowledge, beauty
c) preference utilitarianism
majority vs. minority interests

Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories:
an ethics of duty or obligation
a) Kant (1724-1804)
single principle: categorical
imperative
Universality - what maxims pass
this test
persons as ends (what counts as a
person?)

Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories (cont.):
b) pluralists = many duties
W. D. Ross, duties of:
* non-malificence: do not harm
* beneficence: do good, benefit
* justice: treat equals equally
* add autonomy: respect
individuals
The above four principles are fundamental for
the most widely used text in contemporary
ethics: Principles of Medical Ethics,
Beauchamp and Childress

Ethical Theories
Deontological Theories (cont.):
b) pluralists = many duties
Ross' additional duties:
* fidelity: be faithful
* reparation: return good for good
* gratitude
* self-improvement

Issues for deontologists:

* ranking duties
* conflicts of duties

Ethical Theories
Related Theory: virtue theory
a virtue is an excellence or desirable
moral quality
virtues are often defined by social role,
e.g., parent, child, spouse, teacher,
etc.
What are the qualities which make for
a good x?
What are the qualities of a good
physician?
What are the qualities of a good
patient?

Ethical Theories
Natural Law Theories:
There are certain natural tendencies or
purposes in things
What is natural is, in general, to be
followed
Natural goals are to be achieved
E.g., there is a natural tendency of
things to continue their existence
Abortion is not allowed
Embryonic or fetal research is not
allowed if it results in destruction

Ethical Theories
Natural law theories (cont.):
Natural and law and suicide
Natural law and sexuality
Two principles:
Natural vs. artificial treatment
Principle of double effect

Ethical Theories
Right Theories:
What basic rights do we have?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness
to life, not to be harmed, to thrive
or develop, etc.?
Where do rights come from? God,
natural rights, social contract, etc.?
What do rights entail?
Fundamental rights?
Positive and negative rights
What other rights are there?
Education? Health care?
Are there limits on rights?