Thumbnail Sketches of Five Ethical Theories

Question 1

Ethical Theory

Answer 1

Moral framework aimed at generating consistent answers about right and wrong conduct

Question 2

This Theory has starting assumptions and are comprised of moral principles

Answer 2

Ethical theory

Question 3

Starting Assumptions

Answer 3

assumed beliefs

Question 4

Moral Principles

Answer 4

building block that makes up moral theories

Question 5

Natural Law Theory

Answer 5

right acts are those that are in accordance with the natural law

Question 6

What are the principles of Natural Law Theory?

Answer 6

1. Principle of totality
2. Doctrine of Double Effect

Question 7

Our bodies are not our own and may be modified only so as to restore them to their properly functioning state.

Answer 7

Principle of totality

Question 8

If an action will have two effects, one good and one bad, you may only do it if
1) You only intend the good effect
2) there is no way to get good effect without the bad effect
3) The goodness of the good effect outweighs the badness of the bad effect
4) The good effect is at least certain to occur as the bad effect

Answer 8

Doctrine of Double Effect

Question 9

Right acts are those that are in accordance with the categorical imperative

Answer 9

Kantianism

Question 10

What are the Principles of Kantianism?

Answer 10

1. Universalizability
2. Treat humans as the ends in themselves

Question 11

Act only on those maxims that you would will to be universal laws

Answer 11

Universalizability

Question 12

act only in ways that treat humans- both others and yourself- as ends on themselves and never as mere means

Answer 12

treat humans as ends in themselves

Question 13

Utilitarianism

Answer 13

right acts are those that produce good consequences

Question 14

Moral decisions should be made from the position of a benevolent, disinterested spectator

Answer 14

Utilitarianism

Question 15

principle of utility

Answer 15

act always so as to produce the greatest good for the greatest number

Question 16

Contractarianism

Answer 16

right acts are those that do not violate the free, rational agreements we have made

Question 17

libertarianism

Answer 17

contracts are established so as to achieve maximum liberty for each individual

Question 18

Veil of ignorance

Answer 18

contracts are established without knowing what role you will hold under those contracts

Question 19

Virtue Theory

Answer 19

right acts are those that promote the proper functioning of a human being

Question 20

robust character traits that, once developed, will lead to predictably good behavior

Answer 20

Virtue

Question 21

Moral exemplar

Answer 21

an individual, already possessing virtue, who we admire, and thus model our behavior after