Some Background on Ethical Theories

Virtue Theory: A general trend in ethics in which the focus is on the character of the person – both on developing good character and an examination of what constitutes character. Community-based ethics. Happiness (the good life) is the ultimate goal of human beings. Plato, Aristotle, G.E.M. Anscombe, Alasdair MacIntyre.

Kantian Deontology: The view that the right is prior to the good. For the Kantian, the morality of an action is not determined by its consequences, but instead by the principle or maxim on which the action is based. Duty is the ultimate consideration of the morality of an action.

Utilitarianism: The “greatest happiness” moral theory. The Utilitarian holds that an action “is right in proportion as it tends to promote happiness, wrong as it tends to promote the reverse of happiness.” The ultimate goal is happiness – where happiness is understood as pleasure and avoidance of pain, and unhappiness is pain and the privation of pleasure.

Contractarian Ethics: Very limited (minimalist) view of morality in which one holds the position that morality exists as a matter of agreement. Thomas Hobbes held this position, and many others (even in the present time), hold some variation of it.

Rights-Based Ethics: Also minimalist – a good early view of this is in John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government in which he lists the ultimate law of nature which requires us essentially to preserve our own lives, and when that has been achieved, our moral obligation with respect to others is not to interfere in their lives, liberties, or property.

Egoism: Note the distinction between psychological egoism and ethical egoism

There are other details to be discussed in class. This is only a very, very general overview of some major topics.