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Ethical Systems
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 Teleological ethics (Consequentialism)
 Morality of an action is based on the consequences or
outcome
 “The end justifies the means”
 Deontological ethics (from deon, Gr. For “duty”)
 Morality of an action is based on perceived moral duties or
rules
 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
 Virtue ethics
 Morality is based on the character of the agent, not on the
action
 “What kind of person should I be?”
 What is morality?
 morality refers to personal or cultural values, codes of
conduct or social mores that distinguish between right
and wrong
 Morals define a person’s character; a “moral” person is
one who follows what a society or culture deems is right.
 What is ethics?
 Also called “moral philosophy”; it is the philosophy
behind the adoption of certain morals
 Ethics focuses on the application of morality in a social
system
 Examples:
 A criminal defense lawyer may believe that murder is
completely immoral, but she is ethically obligated to
defend a client accused of murder.
 The torture of a human being may be immoral, but is it
ethically permissible if it results in knowledge that may
aid national security?
 Is a Catholic hospital morally opposed to abortion
ethically obligated to provide services?
ETHICAL RELATIVISM
• No principles are universally valid.
• All moral principles are valid
relative to:
– The individual
– The society or culture
– The historical time period
DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
• Deontological
• Moral standards depend on God
who is all-knowing
• Any act that conforms to the law
of God is right; an act that breaks
God's law is wrong.
DEONTOLOGY
• Emphasis is on moral rules and
duty.
• Universalization: If you’re not
willing for everyone to follow the
rule, then it is not morally
permissable
• People treated as ends, never
means.
• Mainly associated with Kant
UTILITARIANISM
• Teleological
• Right actions are those that
produce the greatest balance of
happiness over unhappiness.
• Each person's happiness is
equally important.
• Mainly associated with Jeremy
Bentham and John Stuart Mill
VIRTUE ETHICS
• Morals are internal.
• Seeks to produce good people
who act well out of spontaneous
goodness.
• Emphasizes living well and
achieving excellence.
• Mainly associated with Aristotle
REASONING WITH ETHICAL SYSTEMS

In high school Jack was a three-time Iowa state champion discus
and javelin thrower. He is currently attending a state university
on an athletic scholarship for these events. Many of his
competitors are using anabolic steroids to increase their
performances and Jack finds it increasingly difficult to maintain
his #1 position in his conference. Jack is considering taking
steroids himself but decides to ask for advice from five friends.
Each of these friends operates from a different moral philosophy
and ethical system. What kinds of thinking would each engage in
when giving advice to Jack?

Rita, the Relativist, would reason:

Doris, the Divine Command ethicist, would reason:

Ulysses, the Utilitarianist, would reason:

Dan, the Deontologist, would reason:

Valerie, the Virtue Ethicist, would reason:
Ethical Systems Practice
Identify the ethical system and the reasons for your choice in
the following cases.
 Write down your answers and be prepared to turn these in
for a grade.
Case #1

Enu, the old grandmother of a Shoshone tribe, could no longer chew
the buffalo hides to make them supple enough for making items of
clothing. When winter came and food supplies were not sufficient
for all, it was decided by the tribe that Enu would be left alone on a
nearby hill to die.
System:
Reasons:
Ethical Systems Practice
Case #2
Rachel has fallen in love with Nathan, a schoolmate in a
small religious school set up by a Christian sect. Her
parents forbid a marriage with Nathan and make
arrangements for Rachel to marry Peter, another youth in
the church. Rachel married Peter.
 System:

Reasons:
Ethical Systems Practice
Case #3
In Germany during 1942 a Christian soldier, whose close
friend is imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp, finds
himself in a crowd with his leader, Adolf Hitler. He views
the Fuhrer as ruthless and dangerous to his country.
Being armed, he considers killing Hitler. After a few
moments of hesitation, the soldier assassinates Adolf
Hitler.
 System:

Reasons:
Ethical Systems Practice
Case #4
 Ted, an insurance agent, receives a phone call from a
fellow agent who works in the same office, asking for a
ride to work because his car has broken down. Ted had
intended to use the drive to work to view some property
he would like to buy but picking up his co-worker would
not leave him time to do this. He decides not to refuse
the co-worker's request
 System:

Reasons
ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE
Case #5
 Thomas, a missionary doctor in El Salvador, was
told by the government to abandon his work and
return to the United States. Thomas doesn't even
consider stopping his work with the poor people
of the countryside.
 System:

Reasons:
ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE
Case #6
 Rachel visited her friend Sarah in the hospital.
Sarah had been badly burned and blinded in a
car accident and seemed most concerned about
how disfigured she might look. She asks Rachel
how awful she looks. Rachel lies to Sarah and
tells her the effects of the burn are not bad at all.
 System:

Reasons:
ETHICAL SYSTEMS PRACTICE
Case #7
 Hank, who is not religious, witnesses a man
known to be quite wealthy drop a money clip
containing several large bills. Hank could
definitely use the money to help buy clothes for
his eight foster children but instead returns the
money to the man.
 System:

Reasons: