studying for midterm Flashcards
Utilitarianism - Bentham
This provided him with what he called aprinciple of utility,whichis, in effect, a theory of the good. In brief, Bentham thought it is good to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Bentham suggested a kind of calculus.
Utilitarianism - Mill
he thought that we might want to differentially rank pleasures. He famously wrote, “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, is of a different opinion, it is only because they only know their own side of the question.
Act utilitarianism
An act is right if and only if there is no other action I could have done instead which either (a) would have produced a greater balance of utility over disutility; or (b) would have produced a smaller balance of disutility over utility.
Rule utilitarianism
An act is morally right if and only if it conforms with a set of rules whose general observance would maximize utility.
Kant ethics
demonological, believed that we could figure out what our duties are on the basis of reason alone. Called the principle the Categorical Imperative: entails a set of duties, or moral laws, that are intrinsically good.
kant = formula of universal law
suggested that when considering an action, we should articulate themaximthat describes that action—basically, the rule we would be following were we to act in this way - could everyone follow it?
kant = formula of humanity
“So act that you use humanity, as much in your own person as in the person of every other, always at the same time as an end and never merely as a means.” Values rationality, freedom and autonomy — often referred to as respect for persons
ross ethical pluralism
Ross suggests that we acquire particular duties when we make promises.
ross three types of duty?
duties of fidelity, reparation and gratitude.
Duties of fidelity
duties to be trustworthy and keep our promises.
Duties of reparation
come into effect when we have harmed or wronged someone. They are duties to repair a situation or otherwise make amends.
Duties of gratitude
arise when others help or support us. Through their actions, we acquire a duty to reciprocate or, at least, be grateful for their benefiting us.
ross forward-looking duties?
non-maleficence(not harming others),beneficence(improving the well-being of others), self-improvement, andjustice.
ross other useful idea?
duties are oftenprima facie. Prima facie simply means “at first glance.” The idea ofprima facie duties, then, is that each duty is requiredunlessthere is some other competing duty that outweighs it in moral force
aristotle virtue theory
Aristotle believed that what we pursue is happiness and a happy life is the ultimate good that humans seek. Although we have used the term “happiness,” this isn’t a perfect translation. The Greek term Aristotle used is “eudaemonia,” which is variously translated as happiness, flourishing, and well-being
feminist ehtics
focus on relations, developed in reaction to the ethical traditions of Europe—especially Utilitarianism and Kantianism and, to a lesser extent, Aristotelianism. The feminist critique was twofold. First, ethics needs to address the importance of personal relationships in our lives. Second, humans are, in fact, thoroughly relational beings and the idea that anyone isself-madeis simply a myth — gave rise to care ethics:
feminist - care ethics?
Care ethics recognizes that relationships of care—for instance, parents caring for young children—cannot be captured by the ethical theories that have dominated European and European settler societies. Not autonomous, very vulnerable, emotional relationships
rights theory
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straight-forward application model
The ethical theory is the starting-point, and we apply the theory to the case at hand in order to reach a conclusion about what should be done.
straight-foward application model example
Utilitarianism is the leading example of an ethical theory that might be thought to solve bioethical problems by the straightforward application of its ideas. Utilitarianism says that in any situation we should do what will have the best overall consequences for everyone concerned
physics/car-mechanic model
The relation between ethical theory and bioethics is like the relation between physics and automobile repair. Mid level principles
physics/car-mechanic model example
So, like the car mechanic, the bioethicist will rely on mid-level principles
- baby theresa
- ebola nurse
biology/medicine model
To deal with the difficult problems, she might find herself turning to scientific researchers for help, or even turning temporarily to more fundamental research herself. And what she learns from the cases she encounters in her practice might, in turn, have significance for the further development of the sciences.
arras will vs interest theory
On closer inspection, however, these two rival conceptions of the function of rights might well agree on the importance of a right to health-related goods.
