Exercise 2

Ethics Exercise 2

1. Discuss each of the following ethics theories. Your discussion must include who
developed the theory and what are the ethics, ethical and moral reasoning processes
argued and justified by each of the respective theories:
i) Utility theory: Utility theory is concerned with people's preferences or beliefs,
as well as assumptions about those preferences that enable them to be
interpreted numerically. Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialism in that it
holds that the consequences or outcomes of acts, rules, policies, and so forth,
to decide whether they are good or bad, right or wrong. Jeremy Bentham (1748-
1832) and John Stuart Mill are two of the most influential utilitarians in history
(1806-1873) where both are an important theorist and social reformers.
Although it seems like a simple theory, however, it is complex. The theory
needs to at least identify three things; 1) what are the good and bad things, 2)
for who’s good (i.e. which individuals or groups) we should try to maximise; and
3) whether acts, strategies, and so on are made right or wrong by their actual
consequences (the outcomes that our actions actually produce) or by their
foreseeable consequences (the results that we predict will occur based on the
evidence that we have).
ii) Kant theory: Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a German philosopher, was an
opponent of utilitarianism. Kant argued that certain acts (such as murder,
robbery, and lying) were strictly forbidden, even though the action would result
in more satisfaction than the alternative. Kantians believe that once we decide
to act, we must first ask ourselves two questions: I May I rationally will that
everyone behave in the manner that I propose? If the response is no, we do
not carry out the action. (ii) Does my behaviour honour human goals rather than
exploiting them for my own gain? Again, if the response is no, we must refrain
from carrying out the procedure.
iii) Kohlberg theory: A child's sense of morality is explicitly mediated during the
preconventional stage. Children follow and believe the rules of authority figures
such as parents and teachers, and they judge an action based on the
implications of that action. An individual's sense of morality is linked to personal
and social relationships at the conventional level. Children continue to follow
authority figures' laws, but this time they feel it is important to maintain healthy
relationships and social order. A person's sense of morality is described in
terms of more abstract concepts and values at the postconventional level.
Some people now feel that such laws are unfair and should be modified or
repealed. Kohlberg's theory has been chastised for its racial and gender
prejudice toward white, upper-class men and boys. It also ignores
contradictions within moral decisions.
iv) Ethics Theories based on Religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhists,
Hinduism, Judaism etc.):
v) Other ethics theories:
Exercise 2

References List

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