1. How Actions Can Be Morally Evaluated l Teleological Ethics: we are morally obligated to do X because of its good consequences l Deontological Ethics: X is morally good because we ought to do it (i.e., it is our duty) Motive/Intention (Character) ACT Consequences Teleological Ethics Deontological Ethics

2. Utilitarianism: we ought to promote the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number Bentham: the hedonic calculus is based on the intensity, duration, certainty, immediacy, fecundity, purity, & number of people affected J. S. Mill: the quality of pleasures needs to be considered, determined by competent judges The motivation to produce happiness arises from conscience (feelings of sociability) J. Bentham (1748-1843) J. S. Mill (1808-73)

3. Kant’s Ethics (Formalism) l Morality is not based on consequences; happiness is morally valuable only if it is based on a good will—that is, acting for the sake of doing your duty l You are morally obligated only if everyone is obligated: the form of obligation consists in its universal or “categorical” character l The “categorical imperative”: act only on rules that you could will everyone to adopt I. Kant (1724-1804 )