UNIT III. TYPES OF ETHICAL THOUGHTS 1.

self-preservation – we are naturally inclined to

 1.Kant’s Ethics preserve our life, urges us to care for our health, not
to kill ourselves or put ourselves in danger
– by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
2. just dealings with others – treat others with the
- a brilliant German thinker
same dignity and respect that we accord ourselves
- his study is known as Deontologism (Greek word
3. propagation of our species – we are naturally
“deon”- duty, “logos” – science)
inclined to perpetuate our species which is viewed as
- claim that morality is exclusively within the human
a natural good
personality; what is morally right or wrong is solely a
matter of intent, motive, and will
 Kant maintains that one acts morally  3 Determinants of Moral Action
(performs a moral act) if and only if one 1. The Object – that which the will intends directly
does whatever one is obliged to do. and primarily
- it may be either a thing (money) or
an action (surgical operation)
 2 Types of Duties 2. The Circumstances – conditions which, when
1. perfect – must always observe, irrespective of
superadded to the nature of the moral act, will affect
time, place or circumstances
its morality
- should not harm or inflict injury
upon others
2. imperfect – must observe only on some  7 Circumstances cited by St. Thomas
occasions 1.Who-something to do with the special quality, rank
- should show love and of the person involved in the act
compassion occasionally to others based on our own 2. What-quantity/quality of the moral object
choice 3. Where-denotes the place where the act occur
4. By what means-means used in carrying out the act
5. Why-purpose can affect the goodness/badness of
 2. Rawls’s Ethics the action
- by John Rawls, a noted Harvard Philosopher
6. How- indicates the manner in which the action is
- his work is known as Theory of Justice - speaks of
done
a two-fold principle of justice
7. When- refers to the time element involved in the
1. equal access to the basic human rights and
performance of an action
liberties
2. fair equality of opportunity and the equal
3. The End or Purpose – (“A good act with a bad
distribution of socio-economic inequalities
motive makes the moral action bad”)
Our basic rights and liberties includes:
 Other Moral Principles
 Right to vote
1. Double-Effect Principle
 Be eligible to public office 2. Principle of Totality – natural obligation not
 Freedom of speech and peaceful assembly only to preserve our lives but also to
 Liberty of conscience preserve the integrity of our bodies
 Freedom of thought 3. Principle of Stewardship
 Right of ownership/to hold property 4. Principle of inviolability of life
 Freedom from arbitrary arrest 5. Principle of sexuality and procreation
twofold purpose
1.Procreation and nurturing of children
 4 TYPES OF DUTIES 2. Expression of loving union and companionship
1. fairness in our dealings with others
2. fidelity
3. respect for persons  4. Ross Ethics
4. beneficence - By William David Ross (1877) – a British Aristotelian
scholar and moral philosopher
 natural duties
created the rule-deontological theory
1. the duty of justice
a. Actual Duty – (more crucial, more serious)
2. the duty of helping others in need or jeopardy
b. Prima Facie Duty
3. the duty not to harm or injuries others
4. the duty to keep our promises
 7 Types of Prima Facie Duties
1. Duty of Fidelity - be faithful to our duties
 3. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Duty of Reparation – duty to make amend for
- (1225-1274) an Italian Philosopher and Theologian
injury that we have inflicted on others
- known as Thomistic Ethics (based on author’s
3. Duty of Gratitude - duty to appreciate and
name)
recognize the services others have done for us
- also known as Christian Ethics /Roman Catholic
4. Duty of Justice - demands fairness for everyone
Ethics
5. Duty of Beneficence – provision of benefits and
-lastly known as Natural Law Ethics
balancing of benefits and harm for all
 Moral law people
– is the dictate of the voice of reason 6. Duty of Self-improvement
(“The good must be done, and evil, avoided.”) 7. Duty of Nonmaleficence – we ought to avoid
 3 Natural Inclinations inflicting evil, injury or harm upon others as we avoid
doing so to ourselves
THANK YOU ! ! !