Pros And Cons

Question 1

pros of kantian ethics

Answer 1

• Based on duty and rationality, not emotions or consequences
• Universal rules apply equally to all (e.g., Categorical Imperative)
• Respects human dignity and autonomy (Humans as Ends, Kant’s principle of acting only on maxims you could will as universal laws means everyone’s actions should be guided by rules that respect the rights and dignity of all.)

Question 2

cons of kantian ethics

Answer 2

• Can be too rigid – no exceptions for extreme situations
• Ignores outcomes, even if disastrous
• Hard to apply when duties conflict

Question 3

pros of utilitarianism

Answer 3

Focuses on outcomes and well-being
- Promotes happiness for the majority
- Can be applied to real-life policy-making

Question 4

cons of utilitarianism

Answer 4

Can justify immoral actions (e.g., sacrificing the few for the many)
- Hard to predict consequences
- May ignore minority rights

Question 5

pros of virtue ethics

Answer 5

• Focuses on character and being a good person
• Encourages moral growth and lifelong development
• More flexible than rule-based ethics

Question 6

cons of virtue ethics

Answer 6

• No clear rules for what to do in moral dilemmas
• Relies on a shared idea of the “ideal person”
• Hard to apply in urgent or legal settings

Question 7

pros of natural law

Answer 7

• Based on reason and belief in a God-given moral order
• Supports absolute moral rules (e.g., do not kill)
• Values human purpose and dignity ( Aquinas believed that everything in nature has a purpose given by God. e.g telos)

Question 8

cons of natural law

Answer 8

• Based on belief in God/nature, so not convincing to atheists
• Can be inflexible in modern issues (e.g., contraception)
• May conflict with scientific understandings