Theories of Ethics

Question 1

What are the four rules that statisfy ethical goals?

Answer 1

Beneficence
Least Harm
Respect for Autonomy
Justice

Question 2

T or F

In ethical decisions, there are winners and losers.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What must we ask ourselves when ethics are in play?

Answer 3

“What is the right thing to do?”

Question 4

Explain Benefiecence

Answer 4

Based on doing what is right and good

Question 5

Which principle best suits the beneficence?

Answer 5

The Principle of Utility

Question 6

Explain Principle of Utility

Answer 6

• Attempts to generate the largest ratio of goods over evil in the world
• Striving to achieve the greatest good because people, as a whole, benefit from the most good.

Question 7

Explain the concept of least harm.

Answer 7

Similar to Beneficence

• Deals with situations in which no choice appears beneficial
• To do the least harm possible to the fewest people

Question 8

Explain the concept of “respect for Autonomy”

Answer 8

• People should make their own decisions that apply to their lives.

Question 9

Explain Justice in ethics

Answer 9

• Decisions makers should focus on actions that are fair to those involved
• Ethical decisions should be consistent

Question 10

T or F

Justice rarely accepts extenuating circumstances that differ from similar cases.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

List the four ethical theories

Answer 11

Deontology
Utilitarianism
Rights
Virtue

Question 12

What is deontology?

Answer 12

• The theory that people should adhere to their obligations and duties when engaged in decision making.
• Upholding one’s duty is considered ethically correct.

Question 13

What are the problems with deontology?

Answer 13

There may be no rationale or logical basis for deciding an individual’s duties.
Strictly adhering to one’s duty may itself violate an ethical rule

Question 14

What is Utilitarianism?

Answer 14

Utilitarian decisions are based on one’s ability to predict the consequences of an action.

Question 15

What are the two types of Utilitarianism?

Answer 15

Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism

Question 16

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 16

A person performs acts that benefit the people regardless of personal feelings.

Question 17

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 17

• Takes into account the law.

- Seeks to benefit the most people but through the fairest, most just means available.

Question 18

What are the problems with Utilitarianism?

Answer 18

Consequence Comparisons:
The ability to compare different types of outcomes against each other on the same scale.
Maximun Good Utilitarianism: An emphasis on achieving maximum good may benefit one and infringe on another’s rights.
Rule Utilitarianism: There may be conflicting rules or laws when taking them into account in decisions seeking fairness that benefits the most people.

Question 19

Explain the ethical theory of rights.

Answer 19

• based on the idea that humans and animals have rights.
• In the U.S. the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are referred to as the bill of rights.
• Rights are societally determined.
• Rights in a country are deemed ethically correct

Question 20

What are the problems with rights?

Answer 20

• What rights does society establish and endorse.
• What rights should a country give its citizens
• What rights should be protected.

Question 21

T or F

Individuals may bestow rights upon others if they have the ability and resources to do so.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Explain virtue

Answer 22

Virtue ethical theories judge a person by his or her character rather than by an action that may deviate from his or her normal behavior.

Question 23

Problems with Virtue

Answer 23

Judgement involving virtue does not consider a change in an individual’s moral character.