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    Jazlynn Wong
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    There are three main ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Consequentialism, like utilitarianism advocated by Bentham and Mill, holds that the consequences of an action alone determine its rightness by maximizing benefits for the greatest number. Deontology, championed by Kant, argues that actions are right if they accord with rational, universal rules of duty that should never be transgressed. Virtue ethics, dating back to Aristotle, focuses on developing virtuous character and pursuing the common good through virtuous actions and relationships between friends in society.

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    There are three main ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Consequentialism, like utilitarianism advocated by Bentham and Mill, holds that the consequences of an action alone determine its rightness by maximizing benefits for the greatest number. Deontology, championed by Kant, argues that actions are right if they accord with rational, universal rules of duty that should never be transgressed. Virtue ethics, dating back to Aristotle, focuses on developing virtuous character and pursuing the common good through virtuous actions and relationships between friends in society.

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    3 Ethical Theories

    Uploaded by

    Jazlynn Wong
    There are three main ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Consequentialism, like utilitarianism advocated by Bentham and Mill, holds that the consequences of an action alone determine its rightness by maximizing benefits for the greatest number. Deontology, championed by Kant, argues that actions are right if they accord with rational, universal rules of duty that should never be transgressed. Virtue ethics, dating back to Aristotle, focuses on developing virtuous character and pursuing the common good through virtuous actions and relationships between friends in society.

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    3 ETHICAL

    THEORIES
    CONSEQUENTIALISM
    UTILITARIANISM
    DEONTOLOGY
    MORAL ABSOLUTISM
    VIRTUE ETHICS OR
    CHARACTER ETHICS

    REPRESENTATIVE
    THEORISTS

    JEREMY BENTHAM
    (1748-1832)
    JOHN STUART MILL
    (1806-1873)

    IMMANUEL KANT
    (1724-1804)

    ARISTOTLE
    (384-322 BCE)
    ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
    (1225-1274)

    FOCUS
    MAXIMIZE BENEFITS FOR THE
    GREATEST NUMBER.


    FULFILL ONES DUTY AS
    DETERMINED BY REASON.
    ACT VIRTUOUSLY SO YOU &
    OTHERS CAN BECOME FULLY
    HUMAN TOGETHER.

    BASIC
    CONVICTIONS
    CONSEQUENCES ALONE
    DETERMINE THE RIGHTNESS OR
    WRONGNESS OF AN ACT.
    AN ACTION IS RIGHT IF IT
    ACCORDS WITH A RATIONAL,
    UNIVERSALIZABLE RULE OR
    PRINCIPLE. THERE ARE
    PRINCIPLES & RULES WE MUST
    NEVER TRANSGRESS NO MATTER
    THE CONSEQUENCES.

    THE FULFILLED/HAPPY LIFE IS
    ONE IN WHICH FRIENDS LIVE
    VIRTUOUSLY AND PURSUE
    THE COMMON GOOD OF
    SOCIETY.

    KEYWORDS


    CALCULATE CONSEQUENCES.

    DUTY, RULES

    CHARACTER & VIRTUE

    KEY QUESTIONS

    WHICH CHOICE WILL BRING ABOUT
    THE MOST BENEFITS FOR THE
    MAJORITY?
    WHAT IS MY DUTY? WHAT DOES
    THE REASONABLE LAW OR RULE
    REQUIRE?
    WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME
    TO BE MY BEST (VIRTUOUS)
    SELF? HOW SHOULD I ACT TO
    BECOME THIS?

    METHODOLOGY

    CALCULATE RATIO OF
    BENEFITS TO DISVALUES.
    DO YOUR DUTY. ACT AS IF THE
    PRINCIPLE BEHIND YOUR ACTION
    WERE TO BECOME A LAW
    APPLICABLE TO ALL.
    ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
    YOUR BEST SELF-THAT IS,
    ACCORDING TO VIRTUE. ACT
    IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES A
    VIRTUOUS SOCIETY.

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