Normative Ethical Theory Jim Okapal Asst. Professor of Philosophy Missouri Western State University

Moral Theories Morality is concerned with social practices defining right and wrong; it consists of what persons ought to do in order to conform to society’s norms Ethical Theory concerns the philosophical reasons for and against aspects of the morality

Normative Ethical Theories Substantive proposals concerning how to act, how to live, or what kind of person to be that are usually expressed in principles or rules that are meant to guide our action, life, or character development

Consequentialism The moral worth of an action is determined by its consequences (consequences could be objective states of affairs such as gross national product; they could be internal states of affairs like feelings of pleasure or happiness)

Consequentialism General Principle of Action Perform that act which will promote the good for X (Each underlined term must be defined)

Consequentialism Perform that act which will promote the good for X Maximizing View: you maximize the amount of the type of good identified by the theory Perform that act which will maximize the good for X

Consequentialism Perform that act which will promote the good for X Hedonism: good = pleasure Eudaimonism: good = happiness Preference Satisfaction: good= utility Ideal Goods: good equals a list of things like pleasure, health, beauty, justice, truth, etc Perform that act which will maximize pleasure for x

Consequentialism Perform that act which will promote the good for X Egoism: x = only me Utilitarianism: x = the greatest number of people (including me) Altruism: x = the greatest number of people excluding me Perform that act which will maximize pleasure for the greatest number of people This is the principle of action for hedonistic utilitarianism

Consequentialism What is the principle of action for.. – A Eudimonistic egoist? – An ideal goods altruist who believes justice and integrity are the only intrinsically valuable things?

Deontology The moral worth of an action is dependent upon whether the action is derived from an intrinsically right characteristic Different theories have different tests to determine intrinsically right characteristics

Deontology Kantianism Moral worth of an action depends on the will of the person performing the action, i.e., what is the reason that one is performing the action? Universal: Act only on that maxim that you can will to be a universal law Respect: Act such that you treat others as an end and not merely as a means Maxim: a subjective principle of volition (a principle upon which you act).

Deontology Rights-Based Ethics the moral worth of an action is dependent upon its relationship to a set of natural rights based in the facts of humanity and the world in which it inhabits Perform that act which will protect the rights of those individuals affected by the action Sample rights: life, liberty, property, happiness, speech, etc.

Deontology Contractarianism the moral worth of an action is dependent upon the construction of a hypothetical bargaining situation and the resulting decision of worth Perform that action that hypothetical agents would mutually agree to for the benefit of the worst off Perform that action that hypothetical agents would mutually agree to for mutual benefit

Deontology Common Morality Theories moral worth of an action is determined by the set of norms that make communal life not only possible, but helps it flourish Perform that action that prescribed by the moral rules (No unified theoretical basis for the norms)

Virtue Ethics moral worth is fundamentally about the development of a character that has virtuous characteristics Perform that action which will develop virtuous characteristics Perform that action which the virtuous person would perform

Virtue Ethics Virtue: a disposition to act (where having a mental state can possibly be considered an action) from an innate capacity properly trained and exercised Substantive virtues: those necessarily connected with the good; e.g. justice, compassion, truthfulness Executive virtues: those character traits not necessarily connected with the good; e.g., diligence, perseverance competitiveness, toughness

Feminist Ethics Ethics of Care moral worth is fundamentally about the features of personal relationships perform that action which will strengthen the bonds of personal relationships sympathy, compassion, fidelity, love, friendship, etc., should be developed in the character of individuals.