right action based on rules
Deontological
right action based on outcome
Teleological
focuses on duties and rules rather than consequences
Deontological Ethics
Key Principle of Deontological Ethics
“Do your duty”
some actions are morally obligatory even if they dont lead to the best results
Deontological Ethics
Immanuel Kant Concept:
Categorical Imperative
An action is moral if it can be made into a universal law
Immanuel Kant (Categorical Imperative)
Human acts are morally good when they align with natural law and achieve their intended end
St. Thomas Aquinas
Acts are moral if they lead to good ends, such as fulfilling human nature and seeking union with God
St. Thomas Aquinas
William David Ross Concept:
Prima Facie Duties
Moral duties (like fidelity, justice, and beneficence) are binding unless overridden by a more pressing duty
William David Ross (Prima Facie Duties)
focuses on the consequence or ends of actions to determine right and wrong
Teleological Ethics
Core idea of Teleological Ethics:
“Do what brings the best results”
actions are judged by the amount of good they produce
Teleological Ethics
Jeremy Bentham Concept:
Hedonic Utilitarianism
The right action is the one that produces the greatest pleasure and least pain
Jeremy Bentham (Hedonic Utilitarianism)
John Stuart Mill Concept:
Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism
Focuses on higher pleasures - intellectual, moral, and emotional well-being, not just physical pleasure
John Stuart Mill (Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism)
a form of consequentialism developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
Utilitarianism
actions are right if the promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Principle of Utility (Utilitarianism)
Pleasure as primary goal; maximizes pleasure
Hedonic Utilitarianism
Intellectual/moral flourishing; maximizing happiness or well-being
Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism
focuses on the character and the development of moral virtues rather than rules or consequences
Virtue Ethics
Virtue Ethics originated with
Aristotle
