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 TheoryMorality 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 rules

Kant○ 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: UtilitarianismJeremy 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 idealsConsider 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 groupsSupports individual rightsFulfills 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?