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Ethics Reviewer
Ethics Reviewer
Ethics Reviewer
Learning Objectives:
A. MORAL PERSONHOOD
• We judge a particular moral action whether it conforms to or violates our moral standards or
principles. We already assume that entities or beings involved in the action (its source or
receiver) are moral persons.
MORAL PERSONS AND RIGHTS
One standard of defining personhood is in terms of possession of rights: to be a person is to be
a bearer of rights. It is important to note that the possession of moral rights is merely the
minimum definition of moral personhood, in addition to having moral rights, is also to have
moral duties or obligations.
2. MULTI-CRITERIAL THEORIES
It identifies a combination of two or more qualities that sufficiently defines moral
personhood.
They usually combine some of the particular criteria advanced by uni-criterial theories.
B. MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability is the deservingness of blame or praise for the actions we perform.
It is a natural product of our rationality which consists of our reason (or intelligence) and
free will (or freedom).
In the practical context of performing actions, our reason enables us to choose which
action we would like to perform.
Immanuel Kant's view on the relationship between morality and happiness sheds light
on this point
Kant: the goal of morality is not happiness but the deservingness of happiness; and so,
the morally good person is one who deserves happiness regardless of whether or not
he/she is in fact happy.
-THANK YOU-
CHAPTER 3: CONSEQUENTIALISM
Learning Objectives:
Define the Consequentialism and Utilitarianism
Defferentiate Agent Relativity and Nuetrality.
Define Hedonism and Hedonistic Utilitarianism
What are the Basic Elements of Utilitarianism.
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
CONSEQUENTIALISM
Consequentialism is an ethical theory that suggets that the moral rightness or wrongness of an
action solely on its consequences. In other words, an action is morally justifiable if it is leads to
the best possible outcome itself. Consequentialsts argue that this approach provides a clear and
objective standard for evaluating moral decisons.
UTILITARIANISM
• Utilitarianism is the most influential form of consequentialism, such that some authors equate
(though inaccurately) consequentialism with utilitarianism. To have a better understanding of
this ethical theory, we shall elaborate on its baisc elements and examine its variuos forms.
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CHAPTER 4: DEONTHOLOGY
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson student should be able :
To prioritize moral duties and obligations over consequences.
To uphold principles of fairness, justice, and universal moral rules.
To provide a framework for ethical decision-making based on the inherent rightness or
wrongness of actions rather than their outcomes.
The ethical theory of consequentialism, which focuses on the results of an action, is often
compared to non consequentialist theories like virtue ethics and deontology. These theories
consider more than the consequences of an action, such as conformity to God's will or natural
law, to determine its moral rightness or wrongness.
Deontological ethics
Derived from the Greek word "deon" meaning "duty," emphasizes the relationship between
duty and the morality of an action. They believe that certain acts are intrinsically
right or wrong, irrespective of their consequences.
The divine command theory, which posits that morality originates with God, has two
distinguishing versions: the strong version, which asserts that there is no conflict between
God's commands and genuine morality, and the weak version, which omits or qualifies one or
two of these. The strong version, asserts that morality originates with God, moral rightness is
"willed by God," and moral wrongness is "being against the will of God." The weak version, as
described by Soren Kierkegaard, argues that God's commands can override morality in cases of
conflict between reason and God's commands. The strong version maintains that morality is
simply a matter of God's commands. The divine command theory suggests that if God does not
exist, morality would not exist, as it has its own basis in reason.
The divine command theory is also criticized for leading to arbitrariness, as seen in the Book of
Generis. If God's command is sufficient to justify any action as good, it could lead to deceit,
cheating, or torture. Some philosophers argue that God cannot require cruelty for its own sake,
as it contradicts the notion that God is love.
Those who support the divine command theory face dilemmas in the Euthyphro, either
maintaining that a good action is simply what God commands or arguing for limits on what can
be accepted as God's commands. The third challenge is the issue of human autonomy, as if
what is right is simply based on God's will, our ability to reason becomes useless. Religion can
sometimes contradict human reason, as it may not always align with our rational thinking. For
example, a religion may teach blood transfusion prohibition, but doctors may recommend it for
life-saving situations. This raises questions about the moral rightness of an act, a s i t m a y n o t
g u a r a n t e e u l t i m a t e j u s t i c e.
B. Natural Law
A. Deontological theory that plover the moral basis of an out, not on it but on its conformity to
dot.
Older variants of the theory share some similarities with the devine command theory,
those who subscribe to this theory generally recognize the existence of God and point to
God as the source.
Pantheism a view where those who believe that God is immanent, or even identical
with, nature,
Based on Harris (2007) Natural theory also believe that basic values. cannot be measured or
compared;
q Four conditions that must be satisfied for such act to considered morally permissible;
1. The Nature -of- the- Act condition the act, considered in itself and apart from its
consequences, is good, or at least morally permissible.
2. The means-End condition - Bad effect must not be the means by which one achieves the
good effect.
3. The Right-Intention Condition - Intention must be the achieving of only the good effects, with
the bad effects being only an unintended side" effect
4. The proportionality condition -The good effect must be at least equivalent to the importance
of the bad effect.
Moral absolutions and the Qualifying Principles Issues challenging the Natural Law
Theory
-Despite the inclusion of qualifying principles to address possible difficulties in applying natural
Law theory.
-There are issues raised by its critics that manifest some problems in the theory.
- Problem of distinguishing unforeseen from unintended consequences. -based on
David Hume The theory conflates that which is the case with that which ought to be the case.
- Cannot logically derive a moral imperative or value judgement simply by observing facts of
Nature.
-another issue raised has to do with the theory's assumption that moral principles are written in
the laws of nature.
C. categorical Imperative
• The most prominent theory is that which was propounded by the preeminent German
philosopher Immanuel Kant. (1724-1804) -rightness or wrongness) of an act does not lie on its
results or effects
• This theory also opposed to the Natural Law theory, since for Kant genuine moral acts must
stem from our special non-natural powers of reason and will.
D. CONDITIONAL DEONTOLOGY
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CHAPTER 5: VIRTUE ETHICS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After the completion of our presentation, students should be able to:
I. Know the definition of virtue ethics
II. The development(origin) of virtue ethics
III. The importance of virtue ethics
IV. The four major moral values & Theological virtues
V. The principles for ethical behavior & individuals
VI. The role of virtue ethics in business context.
VIRTUE ETHICS
Is a philosophical approach to ethics that emphasizes the development of good charactertraits
or virtues as the key to ethical behavior, rather than focusing on rulesor consequences. It
suggests that individuals should strive to cultivate virtues such as honesty, courage, compassion
and wisdom, and to act in accordance with those virtues in their daily lives. This approach
originated with ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle and has been influential throughout
the history of Western ethics.
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
FAITH is the given grace from God.
HOPE is the advantages not human will towards final union with God.
LOVE is the experience and expression ofthe strong desire forthose persons or things on
which one takes a particulars joy delight.
Ex. An example of virtue ethics can be seen in the practice of honesty. In this context, a
person who consistently demonstrates the virtue of honesty doesn’tjustfollow a set ofrules
abouttelling the truth; rather,they cultivate a disposition or charactertrait of honesty. This
means they are truthful notjust because it’s the rightthing to do or because they fear
punishment, but because they value honesty as a virtue and strive to embody itin their
actions and interactions with others So, in a situation where telling a lie might seem
convenient or beneficial, someone following virtue ethics would prioritize honesty because it
aligns with their virtuous character.
Virtue ethics revolves around the cultivation of virtuous character traits to guide ethical
decision making. Rather than focusing on rules or consequences, it emphasizes personal virtues
such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and courage. The idea is to shape individuals into
virtuous beings, believing than a good character leads to morally sound actions. This ethical
approach encourages ongoing self-improvement & the pursuit of excellence in one’s moral
character.
These virtues serve as guidelines principles for ethical behavior, and individuals are encouraged
develop and embody these qualities in their daily lives.
1. COURAGE - facing fear and adversity with strength.
2. HONESTY - being truthful and transparentin communication.
3. COMPASSION - showing empathy and kindness towards others.
4. INTEGRITY - acting consistently with one's moral principles.
5. GENEROSITY- being willing to share and help others.
6. HUMILITY - recognizing and accepting one's limitations.
7. JUSTICE - striving forfairness and equity in interactions.
-THANK YOU-