CSE3PE: Professional Environment

Introduction to Ethical Theory

Ethical Theories

Ethical Theories provide a framework for• examining the underlying rationale of moral

arguments• classifying and understanding various

arguments• defending a conclusion about what is right or

wrong

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Definitions

Descriptive statements are statements about how people in fact behave e.g. some people think it is acceptable to copy software for private use.

Normative (or prescriptive) statements are statements about how people ought to behave e.g. children should not be made to clean chimneys.

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Ethical Theories

Attempt to show that a particular set of rules or principles is valid for making moral decisions and provides a justification of the moral rules.

• Ethical relativism• Consequentialism• Deontological theories

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Ethical Relativism

• There are no universal moral rules. • Moral rules are a product of a society or

culture e.g. polygamy is acceptable in some societies.

• Moral rules can change over time e.g. slavery was once acceptable in America.

• People’s moral beliefs are shaped by their upbringing, even within a society e.g. acceptability of sex before marriage.

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Ethical Relativism

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Consequentialism

Consequentialism refers to any type of ethical theory in which right or wrong are based on the consequences of an action.

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Utilitarianism

Utilitarians derive the principle of utility by asking what is so important, so valuable to human beings that it can be used to ground a theory of good.

• Instrumental good - things desired because they lead to something else e.g. money.

• Intrinsic good - things desired for their own sake e.g. happiness.

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Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism has one simple moral principle:Everyone ought to act in ways which bring about

the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Utilitarianism provides a decision procedure - When faced with a decision about what to do the person should consider the alternatives, estimate the consequences of each alternative and choose the action that brings about the most net happiness (or good consequences).

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Problems with Utilitarianism

Seems to tolerate or justify practices that our moral intuitions tell us are wrong. It supports the good for the greatest number, so individuals may be disadvantaged by it e.g. killing one person would provide organ transplants for ten people.

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Deontological Theories

deon = duty (Greek)The emphasis is on the character of the act

itself, not its effects. That is, an action is right or wrong according to the intrinsic character of the action. If an action is done from a sense of duty, that is, the action can be universalised, then the action is right.

In contrast to utilitarianism some actions are always wrong no matter what the consequences.

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Basis of Deontological Theory

Individuals are of value and must be treated accordingly

The fundamental function of human beings is to be rational agents

General deontological rule (Kant, 1785) - called the 'categorical imperative'

"Never treat another human being merely as a means but always as an end in himself or herself."

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CASE

A few years ago, when the kidney dialysis machine was first developed, only a few hospitals acquired a limited number of these expensive machines.

How could/should it be decided which patients have access to these machines?

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Reference

Johnson, D. (1994) Computer Ethics, 2nd Ed., Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall. 174.90904 JOHN

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