MODERN ETHICAL SYSTEMS

19 JANUARY

COMP 381

Agenda

TA: Caitlyn Losee Books and movies nominations Team presentation signup

Beginning of classEnd of class

Rawls and Moors

Ethics

Decision making based on logical reasoning

Addresses how people on society should act

Should advance the good of society over time

Criteria for Ethical Systems balance of justice and mercy protect individual freedoms and rights

no individual can/should impede or hurt another individual

recognizes unethical laws flexibility deal with relativism societal balance

Ethical Systems Ethical relativism – very briefly

Individual (or subjective)Cultural

Normative ethical theoriesDeontological (duty-based)

○ Kantianism○ Contractualism

Teleological (result-based)○ Utilitarianism

Hybrid theoriesSocial justiceJust consequentialism

Deontological Theory

What is it?Based on our duties and responsibilitiesActions are fundamentally right or wrong

Classic ExamplesKantianism (Kant)Contractualism (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau)

1588-1679

1724-1804

1712-17881632-1704

Kant’s Categorical Imperatives

Universality: “Always act in such a way that the maxim of your action can be willed as a universal law of humanity.”

Respect: “Always treat humanity, whether in yourself or in other people, as an end in itself and never as a mere means.”

Kantianism

Treats all people as moral equals Allows no exceptions Duty can preclude acting on feelings

Social Contract Theory

Morality consists in the set of rules, governing how people are to treat one another, that rational people will agree to accept, for their mutual benefit, on the condition that others follow those rules as well.

James Rachel, The Elements of Moral Philosophy

Contractualism

Framed in terms of rights Explains acting out of self-interest when

there is no common agreement Provides framework for moral issues

dealing with government (civil disobedience)

Doesn’t address conflicting rights

Deontological Summary

Both believe that there are universal moral rules

Basis of those moral rulesKant

○ can be universalized○ based on duties

Contract○ would benefit the community○ based on rights

Teleological Theory

What is it?Something is good based on its

consequences Primary example: Utilitarianism

Jeremy Bentham

John Stuart Mill

1748-1832

1806-1873

Utilitarianism

Greatest Happiness Principle Compute the costs and benefits

Simple calculation: do positives outweigh the negatives?

Two formsAct – consequence of a specific act

○ Too costly○ Susceptible to happenstance

Rule – judge the consequence of the generalized rule

Strengths

Focus on happiness Down to earth Appeals to many people Comprehensive

Problems

Ignores our sense of duty Range of effects that one must consider Calculus requires that we balance very

different aspects Unjust distribution of good results

Evaluating Ethical SystemsCriterion Kant Contract UtilBalance justice and mercyProtect individual freedoms and rightsRecognize unethical lawsFlexibilityDeal with relativismSocietal balance

Rawls’s Social Justice

Social contract made under “veil of ignorance” Independent of selfEveryone same claims to basic rights

and liberties Inequalities must be

equal opportunity (based on skill or societal benefit) or

of greatest benefit to least-advantaged

1921-2002

Rawl’s Principles of Justice Principle of Equal Liberty

Each person has an equal right to the most extensive liberties compatible with similar liberties for all.

Difference Principle : Social and economic inequalities should be arranged so that they are both to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged

persons andattached to offices and positions open to all under

conditions of equality of opportunity.

Just Consequentialism

James Moor (Dartmouth) Consider consequences of action… but

combine with deontological ideals

Consider duties, rights, and justice

Protect against unnecessary harm (suffering), where harm = loss of core valueslife, happiness, abilities, security, knowledge,

freedom, opportunities, resources

Applying Just Consequentialism

A decision or action is ethical ifIt does not cause any unnecessary harm to

individuals and groups

Supports individual rights

Fulfills duties

Evaluating Ethical SystemsCriterion Rawls MoorBalance justice and mercyProtect individual freedoms and rightsRecognize unethical lawsFlexibilityDeal with relativismSocietal balance

Using Ethical Reasoning

How can (do) you use it? Limitations?

How can we use it to form cyberspace?