Ethical Principles: “Good” vs. “Right” Current Issues – LHS

Ethical Principles What makes an act “right”? What makes an act “good”? What should be prioritized when making ethical decisions?

Beneficence People should prioritize “doing good” in ethical decision making Similar to concept of utility –One should attempt to generate the largest ratio of good over evil possible

“Least Harm” Similar to beneficence, but deals w/ situations where neither choice is beneficial –People should do the least harm possible to the fewest people Do people have a greater responsibility to “do no harm” than to take steps to benefit others? –Ex – walk past someone vs. punching someone you walk by for no reason

Respect for Autonomy People should reign over themselves and make decisions that apply to their lives –They are the only ones who understand their chosen lifestyle –They understand their own emotions, beliefs, etc. and are best positioned to act in accordance with them What about autonomy for dependents? –Paternalistic view A dependent person’s best interests should win out over their own wishes (But what if the decision maker’s ideals clash with the dependent’s ideals?) Example – physician with terminal patient, convincing family to continue treatment despite pain to patient –Libertarian view A dependent’s wishes should prevail over their best interests Maximizes individual autonomy

Justice Fairness should be prioritized in ethical decision making Example: cops are required to obey speed limit, but they are allowed to speed in unique situations –Reach scene of crime quickly –Pursuit of criminal suspect

“Do the Good Thing” Utilitarianism best exemplifies the beneficent / “least harm” philosophy –Maximizing “utility”, or good outcomes, for the most people –OR minimizing harm to the least number of people

“Do the Right Thing” Deontology (literally “The Study of Duty”) best exemplifies “doing right” Denies that the morally right action is determined by consequences The most common philosophy of this school of thought is that of the Prussian, Immanuel Kant ( )

Kant’s Ethical System He believed that people were governed by perfect and imperfect duty –Perfect duty = morally required actions to perform at all times (“Categorical Imperative”) Examples: don’t give incorrect change; not lying; don’t commit suicide; don’t make false promises –Imperfect duty = morally required actions that are followed sometimes Examples: give to charity; develop own talents

Kant’s Ethical System: Moral Worth of People Things We Do Mere behavior (involuntary) Voluntary Actions (what we choose to do) Actions contrary To Duty (impermissible) Actions not contrary To Duty (permissible) Actions not required By Duty (allowed to do) Actions required by Duties (our Duties) Actions done merely In accordance w/ Duty (do not convey moral worth) Actions Done from Duty (convey moral worth)

Categorical Imperative (CI) What is it? –A command that applies to everyone and is impossible to opt out of –Kant says morality must be based on CI b/c morality commands us to act in a certain way; to act contrary is immoral, by definition

Categorical Imperative “Act only in such a way through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law (of nature)” –You are not allowed to do anything yourself that you would not be willing to allow everyone else to do, as well (no exceptions for yourself!) Ex – if others should keep their promises, you too must keep your promises

Categorical Imperative Applied If you want to lie to get something you wanted, you would have to be willing to make it the case that everyone always lies to get what they want. If this were to happen, no one would ever believe you, the lie would not work and you wouldn’t get what you wanted. Therefore, if you willed that lying should become a universal law, then you would thwart your goal Thus, it is impermissible to lie, according to CI, because the only way to lie is to make an exception for yourself

Kant’s Idea of Moral Worth Kant believed that a person is good or bad depending on the motivation of their actions (NOT the consequences!) –Motivation = what caused you to do the action (reasoning) –One can be a good person – be moral – only if one is motivated by their duty If actions are motivated by something other than duty (emotions, etc.) then that action does not have moral worth

Kant’s Idea of Moral Worth Why do motivations matter? –Why else do people do things? Emotions Selfish reasons Kant argued that moral worth only comes when you do something b/c you know it is your duty – you do it regardless of whether you like it!