Download Nonconsequentialist Theories

Nonconsequentialist Theories of Morality:
Nonconsequentialist (NC) theories do not assume that consequences of
actions determine the morality of actions; they assume that actions are
inherently right/wrong based upon some other standard for morality.
To put this approach into perspective, consider that a NC must make
decisions without regard to the consequences for his or her self. Only the
actions themselves (or the principal upheld) is important.
Who does this make you think of?
Once again, there are two types of NC theories:
1. ACT NC theories
2. RULE NC theories.
Act NC Theorists assume that people determine right action based upon
“intuition”—not based upon a rational system or any rule but based upon
what he/she “feels to be right.”
Arguments for Intuitionism?
1. “Any well-meaning person seems to have an immediate sense of right
and wrong.”
2. Human moral ideas and convictions existed before ethical systems or
study evolved.
3. Our rational reflection on moral decision making simply confirms our
more fundamental intuitions.
4. Our intuitions about “right and wrong” are more dependable than our
reasoning, which can be faulty.
Do you see any possible flaws to this way of thinking?
1. What do we really know about “intuition”? Can we truly rely upon this
mysterious phenomenon as a basis for moral decision-making?
2. There is no evidence that we are born with innate moral understanding
(or that we are able to access such a inborn moral compass consistently).
3. “Intuition is immune to objective criticism” and appears to be a
subjective phenomenon.
4. Surely some human beings do not (or appear not to) have moral
intuitions; how do we expect them to act ethically without some exterior
and rationally defensible touchstone for ethical behavior?
5. One of Thiroux’s biggest concerns is the social dimension of ethical
decision making, so “if intuitions differ from person to person, how can
conflicts between opposing intuitions be resolved”?
6. Finally, are people who rely on intuition less concerned to have “all of
the facts” when making moral decisions?
**Look at Thiroux’s examples about killing on pg. 58.
Rule NC Theories believe in rules that are the only basis for morality.
“Divine Command Theory” is a NC theory that establishes morality solely on
some supernatural authority beyond imperfect human judgment.
There are two immediate problems with basing morality on DCT:
1. There is no rational foundation for such an authority.
2. There can be no proof that such a Being is morally trustworthy.
Perhaps more appealing to rational study of ethics are certain NC principals
set forth by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).