Research for Ethics

by Ethan James Escaño

Utilitarianism
J. Bentham; J.S. Mill
What is Utilitarianism?
An action that is considered morally right is the action that creates most happiness
in the majority

The end is more important than the means

Bentham's Formulation
-Man's two great masters: Pain and Pleasure

- We must choose the action that will produce greater happiness

Bentham's Hedonistic Calculus
An action should be evaluated using these values: Intensity, duration, certainty or
uncertainty, propinquity or remoteness, fecundity, purity, and extent
Four theses of Utilitarianism
Consequentialism - the correctness of action is determined by its consequences

Hedonism - An act that would produce most happiness

Maximalism - An action that produces the most pleasure and the least pain

Universalism - Everyone who is affected is considered

Deontology
Immanuel Kant
What is Deontology?
Deolontology is a branch of normative ethics wherein the action is more important
than the consequence.

Deontology came from the greek word deon which means Duty

Actions must be morally good

Even if the end makes the majority happy, if the action is negative, it is still
cosidered as morally wrong
Deolontological Theories
Divine Command Theory

Golden Rule

Natural Law

Kantian Ethics
Divine Command Theory
Divine Command Theory is a deolontogical theory wherein our duty as creation of
God must follow the duties imposed to us.

Everything that is against our duties as humans is considered morally wrong.

Golden Rule
Don't do the things you don't want to be done to you

Doing things that you do not want to be done to you is considered morally wrong
Natural Law
Natural law is based on the natural tendency of human beings

Any action that disturbs natural human activity to survive like eating, making
shelter, hunting, making art is considered morally wrong
Imperatives
Hypothetical Imperative - Action that is considered morally right but is not
necessary to do

Categorical Imperative - Action that must be done

Natural Law Ethics
St. Thomas Aquinas
Natural Law
According to St Thomas Aquinas, natural law expresses moral requirements. As
rational creatures, humans are able to set rules which is morally right or wrong
with the guidance of God
Rational vs Irrational creatures
Rational creatures - Humans are the only known rational creatures. Humans are
able to think, make decisions, and reason

Irrational creatures - Ever other creatures other than humans are irrational
creatures. Irrational creatures may think, has basic skills to survive, but can't do
reasoning
Four Cardinal Virtues
Prudence - a virtue that tells us which is the best solution to a problem

Justice - It is a virtue that tells us if something is morally right or wrong

Fortitude - It is the habit of facing dangers without fear

Temperance - It is the ability to control attraction to too much pleasure and

emotion
 Virtue Ethics
Aristotle; St Thomas Aquinas
What is virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics focuses more on having a good character

Choices must lead to a life worth living or eudaimon

To have a flourishing life, one must have excellences

What is a virtuous person?
A virtuous person is someone who consistently chooses to make the right
decisions

He is someone who collectively does good things

Most important virtues
Integrity

Self-Control

Trust

Fairness

Honesty
References
Federal Urdu University. (2021, June 7). Virtue Ethics. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/virtue-ethics-249123711/249123711.

Sayan Sarkar. (2010, February 15). Utilitarianism. Slideshare.

https://www.slideshare.net/sayansarkar2010/utilitarianism.

Mia Eaker. (2014, November 14). Deontology. Slideshare.

https://www.slideshare.net/miatheresa/deontology-intro.

Tony Williams. (2011, October 7). Natural Law. Slideshare.

https://www.slideshare.net/t0nywilliams/natural-law-9586576.