Download Moral Theory

Review
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Facts – the way things actually are
(sometimes called objective reality)
Truth – a statement that matches the facts
(an accurate representation of the way
things are)
◦ Objective truths – represent objective facts
◦ Relative truths – statement can only be evaluated
relative to some other state of affairs
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Belief – an opinion; a statement the believer
thinks is true
Can a belief be false?
Proof – evidence or reasons that establish
that a statement is true.
Can a belief be true but not proven?
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Should moral beliefs be evaluated on
objective standards or relative to something
else?
Ethical Objectivists believe that there are
objective (universally valid) moral standards.
According to this theory the truth of at least
some moral claims is objective.
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An extreme version of Objectivism
Absolutists claim moral principals have no
exceptions and are independent of context.
Most objectivist theories are not absolutist.
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Ethical Relativism – the claim that there are
no objective moral principles.
◦ The truth of all moral claims is relative to the
beliefs of the individual or their culture.
 Social relativism: The truth of moral principles is
determined by social choice (e.g., cultural norms)
 Individual relativism: The truth of moral principles is
determined by the individual’s beliefs and choices
If relativism were an accurate account of the
nature of morality:
 Any behavior could be justified as morally
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right
Questions about right and wrong could be
answered with opinion polls
Inter-societal moral judgments would be
impossible
Revolutionaries would always be wrong
Moral progress would be impossible
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Good reasoners recognize their own fallibility
Objectivism does not entail forcing others to
accept one’s beliefs
Appealing to the principle of tolerance is an
appeal to an objective moral principle.
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Assuming morality is objective, how do you
determine what is right or wrong?
The goal of moral theory is to develop a
systematic way of determining what makes an
action right or wrong.
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Morality is based on the outcome (i.e.
consequences)
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Consequentialism is not egoistic
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Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialism
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Consequentialists weigh likely positive and
negative consequences to determine the right
action.
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Consequentialist reasoning is quite common
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Consequentialist reasoning is “fair”
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It seems to make morality clear cut
But it can very difficult to predict and weigh
the consequences
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It is often oversimplified or improperly used
to rationalize choices
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◦ Consequentialists must be very careful to consider
all of the consequences for all those affected.
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Consequentialism does not allow for “special
obligations” (lifeboat example)
Sometimes consequentialism seems to
validate actions that are clearly wrong.
(forced organ donor example)
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Morality is based on
duties/obligations/principles rather than
consequences
Kant was a deontologist.
◦ The categorical imperative: Act only on that
principle whereby you can will that it become a
universal law.
◦ Applies universally because of human dignity
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Fidelity
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Veracity
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Autonomy
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Beneficence
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Nonmaleficence
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Justice
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Where do the principles come from?
◦ All deontological theories have to face the difficulty
of defending and justifying their principles
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When principles conflict: how does one
determine which takes precedence?
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Originated with Aristotle
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Focuses on the individual’s character rather
than her or his particular actions
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Virtues are dispositions/habits -- you have to
work to get them
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There is no definitive list of virtues, but some
possibilities are: wisdom, courage,
compassion, generosity
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Character plays a key role in making good
choices, but you still need some way to
determine which choices are the right ones.
Virtue ethics provides limited guidance in
moral decision making
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Traditional theories have been criticized for
being “cold”
Some theorists suggest that human
relations are not cold and abstract
They suggest that moral emotions such as
care and empathy should be included in the
considerations about right action. (e.g.,
warm and cold doctors)
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There is not one established theory to guide
our choices.
Reasoned choices require that the moral
agent consider consequences and duties in a
caring and empathetic way.