ETHICAL THEORIES

Ethical theories – framework for decision

making

Four Ethical Theories

Each differing to what is held to be most

important moral concept.

(a) Utilitarianism;

(b) Duty Ethics;

(c) Rights Ethics; and

(d) Virtue Ethics

Utilitarianism

Seeks to produce the most utility, defined as a

balance between good and bad consequences

of the action, taking into account the

consequences for everyone affected.

Duty Ethics

Contends that there are duties that should be

performed regardless of whether these acts

lead to the most good.

Example : duty to treat others fairly or the duty

not to injure others.

Rights Ethics

Emphasizes the moral rights and any action

that violates these rights is unethically

acceptable.

Virtue Ethics

Regards actions as right that manifest good

character trait (virtue) and regards actions as

bad that display bad character traits (vices).

This theory focuses on the type of person we

should strive to be.

Utilitarianism

Actions are good that serve to maximize

human well-being.

-not on maximizing the well-being of

individual but rather on maximizing the

well-being of society as a whole.

-Example : Building of dam.

Benefits

•Provide stable supplies of drinking water;

•Flood control; and

•Recreational opportunities.

Costs

•People displaced from area flooded for the

dam (inadequate compensation, cultural

uprooting).

Utilitarianism

•Risk-benefit analysis;

•Cost-benefit analysis.

Problem ; people who suffer may not be the

ones who benefit.

Act Utilitarianism

Most common rules of morality like don’t

steal, be honest, don’t harm, …, are good

guidelines derived from centuries of

human experience.

Rules should be broken if action taken

will lead to most good.

Rule Utilitarianism

• moral rules are most important (‘do not harm

others’ and ‘do not steal”)

• adhering to these rules might not always

maximize good in a particular situation,

overall, adhering to moral rules will

ultimately lead to the most good.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

(Application of Utilitarianism)

Costs of project are assessed, as are the

benefits.

Only those projects with the highest ratio of

benefits to costs will be implemented.

Pitfalls

Costs may be estimated.

Benefits derived hard to predict.

Those having to pay for the costs may not be

those enjoying the benefits.

Duty Ethics and Rights Ethics

Hold that actions are good that respect the

rights of the individual.

Virtue Ethics

Actions are considered right if they support

good character traits and wrong if they support

bad character trails.

Focuses on responsibility, honesty,

competence and loyalty.

Virtue Ethics

Vices – dishonesty, disloyalty, and

irresponsibility.

Dilemma

Which theory to follow if the conclusion

reached by each theory differs?

Which theory is more important?