Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Egoism
Utilitarianism
Principle of Duty
Principle of Existentialism
1. Egoism:
Def: a theory which considers a value as good if it benefits the individual himself, and bad or cruel if it harms or causes him to suffer a loss. Egoism divided into 2: 1. Ethical egoism. 2. Psychological egoism.
Ethical Egoism
1. Philosophical- normative, prescriptive theory. 2. Prescribes how they ought to act.
3. E.E says that all men ought to be (or have the right to be) selfish. 4.
It has 3 forms 1. Individual ethical egoism (IEE) :everyone ought to act in my self-interest.
Psychological Egoism
Descriptive or scientific theory having to do with egoism. A descriptive theory which states how people act.
P.E considers that all men are selfish.
It has 2 forms : i) The strong form : maintains that people always act in their own self 2. Personal ethical egoism (PEE): I ought to interest they are psychologically act in my own self-interest but make no claims about what anyone else ought to constructed to do so. do. ii) The weak form : maintains that people often but not always act in 3. Universal ethical egoism (UEE): everyone should always act in his/ her own self their self-interest.
interest regardless of the interests of others unless their interest also serve his/ hers.
2. Utilitarianism The principle architect were: Jeremy Bentham(1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Def: a theory state that actions are right if they are useful or for the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism requires us to choose an action that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Divided into :
1. Act utilitarianism 2. Rule utilitarianism
Principle of Existentialism
The principle of existentialism maintains that good or bad values stem from free choices of individual. For example: donating to a charity is a good value if it is done as a result of ones choice. It becomes a bad value if that act is forced. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), a French existentialist philosopher, believes that existence precedes essence mean what we have become. Or subjectivity must be the starting point.
Cont.. Sartre maintains that since there is no God, anything is permissible, there is no punishment from God, no religious values and no objective values prepared by man to follow. The values followed by men are subjective, individualistic and subject to certain situation. He conclude that, moral values are subjective, changing and not permanent or universal. Mans consciousness allows him to choose an action freely but the choice will not be permanent.
Principle of Duty
1. Act Nonconsenquentialist Decisions of morality does not come from consequences. However, it is based on the intuitionism. What is right and wrong in any particular situation is based upon what people feel (intuit) is right or wrong, therefore it is highly individualistic theory.
2. Slogan Of The Act Nonconsequentialist 1. If it feel good-do it. 2. Do your own thing.
These theories seem to stress that morality in thought, language and deed is not based upon reason.
2. Rule Nonconsequantialist Theories Major assumption : is there are or can be rules that are the only basis for morality, And the consequences do not matter. Following the rules which are right moral commands that is moral.
1. Divine command theory 2. Kants duty ethics. 3. Rosss prima facie duties.
1. Divine Command Theory. Morality is based upon something higher, the existences of an all good being or beings who are supernatural. They communicate with human beings what they should and should not do in a moral sense.
In order to be moral, one should follow the commands and prohibition of the supernatural without concerning with the consequences, self interest or anything else.
Criticism Of The Divine Command Theory The theory does not provide a rational foundation for the existence of a supernatural being and therefore not for morality either.
According to Kant, stealing is immoral because it cannot be applied to all human beings.
Fairness and equal treatment as necessary attributes of any moral system. Example: HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION: Kant opposed the idea of using human beings for experimental purpose for the good of humanity ( use them as mean to reach someone elses end)
Consequences do not make an action right or wrong but he believed that it is necessary to consider consequences when we are making our moral choice.
Refer to certain prime facie duties unless circumstances/ reasons tell us to do otherwise. serious
2 principles (when our duties create conflict) 1. Always do the act that is in accord with the stronger prima facie duty. 2. Always do the act which has the greatest degree of prima facie rightness over wrongness.
2) Moral standards serve to resolve conflict in society by giving justification that are acceptable to the public.
i.e.: Built factory
individual interest cause pollution public annoyed
prudential claim (interest of individual)
Conclusion :
Social morality theory has certain function in society, for example it was used to protect society. However there are also disadvantages, which is it will make the society dependent society.
Character development
( virtuous or vicious person)
Biological make up
+
Psychological characteristic
Moral growth
(influence by)
Individual is not born with the ability to understand and apply moral standards.
Individual is not born with the ability to understand and apply morals standards. They will be able to understand and apply moral standards by develops it through maturity. His ability to deal with moral issues is formed as he grows physically.
1. During childhood, we only told what is correct and what is wrong. We will obey advice without thinking in order to avoid punishment Childhood obedience to moral standards is based on self-interest obey without thinking.