Normative Ethical Theories

normative ETHICAL THEORIES Objective Discuss the normative honourable theories L2 Normative estimable Theories Beliefs about how people should manage can be classified into at least 2 major categories Teleological theories (Consequentialism) Right legal actions ar those that produce the most or optimize the consequences of mavens choices. Behaviour is honorable if it results in coveted conduct 1. 2. 3. 4. honourable egoism Ethical elitism Ethical parochialism Ethical universalism Deontological theories (Duty and Rights) Duties are set d avouch as rules which must be followed. Rights are behaviours that a various(prenominal) expects of others.Actions are intrinsically right or untimely regardless of the consequences which they produce. 1. theological ethics 2. Rationalism 3. fri abolishly contract theory Ethical Egoism base on the belief that people should act in a way that maximises the advantageously of the person make the decision. For e. g. ethical egoists wou ld not stop to help the victim of a road accident if that would make them new-made for a dinner reservation. They are not concern with rules or sure behaviour but accept in a way which is in their own interest. Hedonism Ethical behaviour for hedonist would be that which gratifies a swear for pleasure and minimises pain.Ethical Egoism Adam metalworker Advocated the pursuit of utmost self-interest. Believed that much(prenominal) a insurance pursued by some unrivalleds would lead to the maximisation of unions interest. An invisible hand restrained the idiosyncratic from behaviour that would damage the interests of indian lodge. Miltons Friedmans certified Egoism There is iodine and only one brotherly responsibility of business to use its resources and compel in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open nd free disceptation without falsification or fraud. Suggests that the beh aviour of separates anticipateing to maximise their selfinterest should be constrained by the honor and the conventions of competition and fair play. Would not allow paying the jurisprudence or the violation of accepted codes of behaviour in pursuing self-interest. Ethical elitism Suggests that society is stratified and that ethical behaviour should maximise the interests of only the top family or the elite. Examples (a) Sending thousands of soldiers to their deaths in a encounter would be ethical behaviour if it improved the generals reputation, (b) The dismissal of a mere accounts shop clerk to protect the reputation of the accountant would be regarded as ethical behaviour by a society that subscribed ethical elitism. Ethical parochialism Assumes that ethical behaviour should protect the interest of the individuals in-group. The in-group could be the individuals family, friends, professional associates, religion, gender, etc. Ethical parochialism would regard lying to protect a family appendage as ethical behaviour. Similarly preferring as employees condition students from the employers old school. Ethical universalism (John Stuart Mills utilitarianism) Suggests that ethical behaviour should be concerned with the good of all people and that individuals are all of catch value. Any behaviour which pursues the interests of an individual at the write off of others would be unethical. Mill modified Benthams theory. Bentham argued that when individuals seek to maximise their gain, the communitys public utility company is in any case maximised.Mills greatest happiness dominion meant that an individual should not act to maximise personal utility but the utility of the community as a whole. Ethical universalism (John Stuart Mills utilitarianism) Moral principle of utilitarianism Persons ought to act in a way that promotes the maximum net expectable utility, that is, the greatest net benefits or the lowest net costs, for the broadest community af fection by their actions. An extreme example This theory would accept an individual being killed to save the lives of many others.Although the individual who was killed suffered a considerable loss of utility, the increase in the utility of those who survived more than compensated for that loss. Mills utilitarianism is regarded as the most acceptable of the teleological theories replaces blatant self-interest. Theological ethics Relies on religion, where rules must be followed as set down, as established by graven image. It is Gods command that we should behave in real ways. Conforming to Gods rules is ethical. It fork overs a healthy set of duties for people. Strictest interpretation requires compliance with Gods rules regardless of the circumstances or consequences. However, faith or beliefs are not universal, with many different religions and varying degrees of faith with each religion and interpretation. Rationalism Immanuel Kant seek a simple maxim based on a reaso n or rationality that would provide a rule for a general trade which would override all others. He suggested the categorical arbitrary as a universally valid ethical law, i. e. Act as if the principle from which you act were to bring through your will a universal law of natureImmanuel Kant First truism Note Categorical compulsive it is absolute and does not allow for any exceptions Maxim is an implied general principle underlying a event action. The categorical imperative is a philosophical readiness of the Christian Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Thus to decide whether a contemplated action is ethical, the categorical imperative must be applied to that action. For e. g. a person who is about to break a promise must ask, Would I desire a law which says that eitherbody may break promises if they so choose? If the answer is No, then the proposed action is unethical. Act so that you treat humanity whether in your own person or in that of another, eer as an end and never as a means only Immanuel Kant Second Maxim quite a little should not be used to achieve an end no matter how worthy that end may appear to be. The end does not justify the means. Kant proposed that applying these maxims to e really proposed behaviour would lead to ethical behaviour. Kant strongly implies that better duties are always obliged to be followed such as telling the truth or retentivity a promise,William Ross Prima Facie Obligation Ross, in assembly line to Kant, refused to accept these duties as absolute or chemical formula without exception. Argues that they are prima facie duties which means that they are moral imperatives that should apply most of the time under normal circumstances. A prima facie obligation is a qualified one that can be superceded by a more important, higher obligation, usually under very exceptional circumstances. William Ross Prima Facie Obligation Ross Seven prefatory Moral Duties on Moral Agents n onpareil ought to confine promises and tell the truth (fidelity). unmatched ought to right the wrongs that one has inflicted on others (reparation). One ought to distribute goods justly (justice). One ought to improve the lot of others with respect to virtue, experience, and happiness (beneficence). One ought to improve the lot of others with respect to virtue and intelligence (self-improvement). One ought to exhibit gratitude when appropriate (gratitude). One ought to ward off injury to others (non-injury). Social contract theory Assumes that thither is a social contract between the individual and the state which requires both to perform sealed duties and gives to both certain rights. A social contract is an extempore agreement based on custom and accepted without dissent. A failure to perform the duties implied by the social contract would be unethical behaviour. It suggests fairness and equality, and relies on cooperation. For e. g. by observing the road rules, one surrenders certain personal liberties in the hope of receiving safe road-driving conditions in return. Another e. g. If society wishes to receive well organized and skilful professional services, it must be vigilant to relinquish a certain degree of familiarity and grant professionals special privileges of autonomy and power in return.