Chapter 1

Ethical Theory
Provides a system of rules or principles as a
guide in making decisions about what is
right/wrong and good/bad in a specific
situation

Ethical Theory
Deontologist(Duty)
Teleological (End Result)
Concept Of Virtue(Moral Excellence)

Deontological Ethical Systems

MOTIVATION MATTERS.
Some acts are inherently good.
Others are inherently bad.
The consequences of the act are irrelevant.
Example:
Charity is a moral act.
Giving money to a poor person is morally correct.
If the poor person buys drugs with the money,
the original act of charity is still moral.

Deontology
Addresses the study of duty.
Immanuel Kant
The key to morality is human will or
intention, rather than consequences.

Deontologists have contended that

sometimes humans have duties to
perform, regardless of the consequences.

Possible Resolution is the

Utilitarian Kantian Principle:
An action ought to be done only if:
doing the action treats as few people as
possible as merely the means and as many
people as possible as the end, and
doing the action provides the most overall
happiness possible.

Justice, Crime & Ethics, 5th ed., Copyright 2005

LexisNexis Anderson Publishing

Teleological Ethical Systems

RESULTS MATTER.
An act is good or bad depending on
the results it brings about.
The consequences of the act are what is judged.

Example:
An act of charity might not be moral.
If drug abuse is an immoral consequence,
and an act of charity supports drug abuse,
the act of charity could be considered immoral.

Utilitarianism (I)
(A teleological systemthe consequences are judged.)
One of its founders was John Stuart.

An actions morality depends on how much it

contributes to the overall good of society.
They seek to maximize pleasure and avoid pain.
An ethical system should be consistent with this.

Utilitarianism (II)
If an act benefits many people
and causes pain to a few,
it is still good because

the greatest good for the greatest number

is more important than the pain

of the smaller number.

We judge the morality of an action in terms

of the consequences or results of that action.

Distributive Justice
Theory was proposed by John Rawals
It is based on concept of fairness i.e.
distribute the benefits equally

The Ethics of Virtue(Moral Excellence)

First taught by the Greek philosopher Aristotle :

The Purpose the thing is important. A thing

is good when it perform its purpose and
gives result.

Vedantic Ethics: Showing respect to elders

God fear in all walk of life
Pojja must be in any function
Marriages are made in even and it is life
bound.

Indian Ethical Thinkers

Dharama:- Rightness
Artha:- Creation Of Wealth
Karma:- Desires & Needs
Moksha:- Spiritual World

Hybrid Theory
Mixed Or Combined
Karl Marx(Founder of modern Socialism &
Communism)
N. Machiavelli (He proposed how Prince or
Rulers should behave)

Ethical Theories
CHARACTER
Moral Values
DOMAINS
CONDUCT

Virtue Based
Theories

Consequences

Ethical Egoism
Utilitarianism
Altruism

Duty

Teleological
Theories

Deontological
Theories

Deontological
Theories

Ethical Theories
Conduct Domain

Focus on the actions of the leader and his/her moral obligations and
responsibilities to do the right thing

Teleological
Theories

Attempt to answer questions about right and wrong by

focusing on whether an individuals conduct will produce
desirable consequences
Ethical egoism - An individual should act so as to create the greatest
good for herself/himself
Utilitarianism - An individual should behave so as to create the greatest
good for the greatest number
Altruism - An individual should act in the interest of others even when
Character Domain
it runs contrary to his/her own interests

Virtue-Based
Theories

Approach ethics from the viewpoint of a leaders character; virtues

are rooted in the heart and disposition of the individual