THEORY OF

FORMALISM

FEB 03, 2018

ETHICAL FORMALISM

▹ Ethical formalism is a type of ethical

theory which defines moral judgments
in terms of their logical form rather than 2

their content.
▹ Ethical formalism is "considered as an
absolutist system” – Pollock, 2004.
IMMANUEL KANT

▹ German philosopher (1724 –

1804). 3

▹ Kant is strictly a non-

consequentialist philosopher.
IMMANUEL KANT

▹ 18th century
▹ Believed that ethics was 4

the most important subject in

philosophy
▹ Did not believe you had to
be religious to have morals
Origins

▹ Greek metaphysics
▹ Plato (c. 430--347 B.C.) argued 5

that to understand an object is to

grasp the forms in which it
“participates.”
Origins

▹ Aristotle (384--322 B.C.) –

developed the theory; form vs
matter
Form vs Matter

▹ Form – shape/container : rule of

action/law
▹ Matter – contents : what is done
and its consequences/nature of
action
▹ Formalism dispenses with
content
 “
a truly moral action is
one that comes from
the free will

8
FORMALISM

▹ A particular act is, in itself, either

right or wrong 9

▹ To be ethical, you have a duty,

or moral obligation
Exhibit A

▹ A kid is hanging from an over-

pass 10

▹ To help or not to help the kid

FORMALISM

▹ Deals with absolute values

without reference to their 11
situational context
￭ The Bill of Rights
 Kant:
Categorical
Imperative
Categorical Imperatives

▹ Not all things require an

explanation. Actions can be 13
independent of their intended
purposes and consequences.
▹ Hypothetical Imperatives – state
that certain actions attain certain
ends
▹ Act only on the maxim through
which you can at the same time 14
will that it should become a
universal law
▹ Act such a way that you always
treat humanity, whether in your
own person or that of any other, 15

never simply as a means but

always at the same time as an
end
▹ Act as if you were through your
maxims, a lawmaking memver of 16
a kingdom of ends (Pollock,
2015)
 “
To be ethical, you have
to act with good intent

17
ACTIONS 18

You act in a way

you believe
everyone should act
QUESTIONS 19

How formalism
raises ethical
questions for
businesses
How formalism raises
ethical questions for
businesses

If you are willing to

lie about your
company’s 20

product quality
Then you have to
be okay with a
buyer/ supplier
lying to you
 “
Formalism is still a
fresh source for
business ethics

21
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
THEORY

▹ John Rawls
￭ To construct a just society, 22
one must consider life’s
inequalities
▹ Focuses on agreement
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
THEORY

▹ Entitlement to certain basic rights

and equal opportunity are basic 23
values of the social contract

▹ Social and economic inequalities

must be based on what a person
does, not on who a person is
 FORMALISM
VS
UTILITARIANISM
tackling the difference
between the two ethical
theories
Formalism vs Utilitarianism

Theory of formalism Hedonistic theory of

utilitarianism
25

Associated with Ethical theory of John

Immanuel Kant Stuart Mill
Formalism vs Utilitarianism

Theory of formalism Hedonistic theory of

utilitarianism
26

Focuses on the Focuses on the good

principles and rules outcomes
Formalism vs Utilitarianism

Theory of formalism Hedonistic theory of

utilitarianism
27

”Absolute values” Relative values based

on situational context
THANK YOU