Chapter 1

Ethical Theory
Provides a system of rules or principles as a
guide in making decisions about what is
right/wrong and good/bad in a specific
situation



Ethical Theory
Deontologist(Duty)

Teleological (End Result)

Concept Of Virtue(Moral Excellence)
MOTIVATION MATTERS.

Some acts are inherently good.
Others are inherently bad.
The consequences of the act are irrelevant.

Example:
Charity is a moral act.
Giving money to a poor person is morally correct.
If the poor person buys drugs with the money,
the original act of charity is still moral.


Deontological Ethical Systems

Deontology
Addresses the study of duty.
Immanuel Kant
The key to morality is human will or
intention, rather than consequences.

Deontologists have contended that
sometimes humans have duties to
perform, regardless of the consequences.
Possible Resolution is the
Utilitarian Kantian Principle:
An action ought to be done only if:
doing the action treats as few people as
possible as merely the means and as many
people as possible as the end, and
doing the action provides the most overall
happiness possible.
Justice, Crime & Ethics, 5
th
ed., Copyright 2005
LexisNexis Anderson Publishing
RESULTS MATTER.

An act is good or bad depending on
the results it brings about.
The consequences of the act are what is judged.

Example:
An act of charity might not be moral.
If drug abuse is an immoral consequence,
and an act of charity supports drug abuse,
the act of charity could be considered immoral.


Teleological Ethical Systems

(A teleological systemthe consequences are judged.)
One of its founders was J ohn Stuart.

An actions morality depends on how much it
contributes to the overall good of society.

They seek to maximize pleasure and avoid pain.

An ethical system should be consistent with this.






Utilitarianism (I)
If an act benefits many people and causes pain to a few,
it is still good because

the greatest good for the greatest number

is more important than the pain of the smaller number.

We judge the morality of an action in terms
of the consequences or results of that action.





Utilitarianism (II)
Distributive Justice
Theory was proposed by John Rawals

It is based on concept of fairness i.e.
distribute the benefits equally

First taught by the Greek philosopher Aristotle :

The Purpose the thing is important. A thing
is good when it perform its purpose and
gives result.




The Ethics of Virtue(Moral Excellence)
Vedantic Ethics:-
Showing respect to elders
God fear in all walk of life
Pojja must be in any function
Marriages are made in even and it is life
bound.
Indian Ethical Thinkers
Dharama:- Rightness
Artha:- Creation Of Wealth
Karma:- Desires & Needs
Moksha:- Spiritual World

Hybrid Theory
Mixed Or Combined
Karl Marx(Founder of modern Socialism &
Communism)
N. Machiavelli (He proposed how Prince or
Rulers should behave)

Ethical Theories
CONDUCT
CHARACTER
DOMAINS
Consequences
Teleological
Theories
Ethical Egoism
Utilitarianism
Altruism
Duty
Deontological
Theories
Moral Values
Virtue -
Based
Theories
Ethical Theories
Focus on the actions of the leader and his/her moral obligations and
responsibilities to do the right thing
Deontological
Theories
Teleological
Theories
Attempt to answer questions about right and wrong by
focusing on whether an individuals conduct will produce
desirable consequences
Ethical egoism - An individual should act so as to create the greatest
good for herself/himself
Utilitarianism - An individual should behave so as to create the
greatest good for the greatest number
Altruism - An individual should act in the interest of others even when
it runs contrary to his/her own interests
Approach ethics from the viewpoint of a leaders character; virtues
are rooted in the heart and disposition of the individual
Virtue-Based
Theories
Character Domain
Conduct Domain