Set A: Identify to what approach these quotations best relate.

Explain your answers in 3

to 5 simple sentences: Normative, Metaethics, Applied

1. “By human goodness is meant goodness not of the body but the soul and happiness also we
define as an activity of the soul.” Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics

• This quote from Nicomachean Ethics relates to Metaethics because the soul is treated
as a higher being than the body. In a way that the actions of the soul are the one
considered in determining human goodness. Therefore, the goodness and happiness of
the soul is what makes the human good not the body.

2. “Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is
easy and what is right.” A. Dumbledore, J. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

• This quote relates to Normative Ethics because there is a choice between what is easy
and what is right. Choosing what is easy acts as an escape for the person to avoid doing
what is right because there are instances that choosing what is right has more difficult
processes or more consequences to be faced depending on the situation. Therefore, what
is easy is not always right, and what is right is not always easy.

3. “We shouldn’t forget that AI systems are created by humans, who can be biased and
judgmental. Once again, if used right, or if used by those who strive for social progress, artificial
intelligence can become a catalyst for positive change.”
World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/10/top-10-ethical-issues-in-
artificial-intelligence/

• This quote relates to Applied Ethics because artificial intelligence in this modern time is
a controversial issue. AI systems are the product of technological innovations that are
trying to imitate the consciousness of a human being. In human nature there is always the
tendency to be influenced by biases in making judgements which is one of the things that
AI systems are trying to remove or lessen. However, one thing that AI systems can never
imitate is the free will of human beings, it gives us the ability to be objective and at the
same time the ability to connect or to form relationships. Therefore, AI systems can provide
some services that were done previously by human beings, but not all services because
there are services that need to be objective and at the same time require to form
relationships to the customers or to clients.
Set B: Identify to what ethical theories these quotations best relate. Explain your answers
in 3 to 5 simple sentences: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics

1. “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized
community against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good is not sufficient warrant.”
John Stuart Mill

• This quote relates to Utilitarianism, the key word is to prevent harm to others. In
Utilitarianism the right action is the one that maximizes utility. Technically speaking a
community (others) is greater than an individual. Therefore, a power is rightly used
whenever it is for the benefit of the greater people, regardless of what action it is, it will be
considered good as long as it is for the greater good. One thing that also makes
Utilitarianism unique is it sets aside the personal interest of the person because his focus
is always on the benefit of the greater number of people.

2. “A distinguishing mark of the accountancy profession is its acceptance of the responsibility to

act in the public interest. Therefore, a professional accountant’s responsibility is not exclusively
to satisfy the needs of an individual client or employer.” IFAC, Code of Ethics for Professional
Accountants

• This quote relates to Deontology because it talks about the responsibility of a professional
accountant to act in the public interest. A big factor of being a CPA is upholding the value
of being honest and having professional competence. These values are reflected through
their works because accounting follows certain standards in recording accounts and CPAs
follow that criteria because it is their duty to ensure that the accounting information
presented is correct and not misleading to the public. Therefore, an accountant should be
truthful to its duty regardless if it will benefit an individual client or not because his/her duty
is to the public.

3. For the movement toward injustice and intemperance and to anger and grief and fear is
nothing else than the act of one who deviates from nature. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

• This quote relates to Virtue Ethics because it listed values that are the opposite of virtue
which is vice. Knowing what is bad gives the people a craving for something good because
they will be able to visualize how corrupt these vices are. Therefore, knowing the vices
pushes the people to behave virtuously and develop a good character.