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Deontological Approaches
• Consequences of decisions are not always
the most important elements as suggested
by the consequentialist approach.
• The way you make decisions is what makes
it moral.
• The end does not justify the means
• Results are not ethical unless the ethical
means used to produce them
Kant’s Three Standards
• Do not make exceptions for self since
everyone is worth the same.
• Let others make their own choices - treat
people as ends rather than means to an end
(everyone is equal).
• Would my action pass the publicity test would it be adopted by rational people.
Could action be explained & would it be
acceptable (grandmother test).
Human Rights Standard
• No action should violate fundamental
human rights
• Rights - what’s needed to live a life that
expresses value.
• Rights - justifiable claim, entitlement or
protection against collective goals.
• Liberty Rights (free speech, freedom of conscience, self
determination); Welfare Rights (food, housing,
employment, education, health care)
Justice Standard
• Justice - Fair distribution of Benefits &
Burdens
• Which is the fair distribution standard equality, effort, need, accomplishment,
contribution?
• We need a justice standard to show which
distribution scheme is fair in each situation.
Justice Standard
• Seek the standard that distributes benefits
and burdens most fairly.
• Rawls’ method - Use “veil of ignorance” to
decide the rule for a just society.
Justice Standard
• Fair Distribution follows three principles:
• Equal Liberty - max liberty compatible with
liberty of others
• Difference Principle - inequities ethical if
benefit least advantaged
• Equal Opportunity Principle - benefits
equally open to all.
Religious Ethics
• Does the action fit the central tenets of the
faith? Does the action follow the rule?
• Jesus Christ: “Love Your Neighbor”
• Buddha: “The Cause of suffering is desire”
Seven-Step Process of Making
Ethical Decisions
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1. What are the Facts
2. What are the Ethical Issues
3. What are the Alternatives?
4. Who are the Stakeholders?
5. What are the Ethics of the Alternatives?
6. What are the Practical Constraints?
7. What Actions Should we Take?