Ethics

Question 1

Ethical Theories

Answer 1

attempts to provide a clear account for what our moral obligations are

Question 2

CONSEQUENTIALISM

Answer 2

Ethical theory that judges whether something is right by outcomes or consequences
- the end justify the means
- ex. lying is wrong, but lying is the right thing to do if it could save someone’s life

Question 3

Consequentialism Forms

Answer 3

▪ Utilitarianism: Greatest good for
greatest number of people
▪ Hedonism: Something is good if it
produces pleasure or avoids pain

Question 4

CONSEQUENTIALISM strengths

Answer 4

• can be pragmatic and efficient
• focuses on collective and not just individual benefit

Question 5

CONSEQUENTIALISM weakness

Answer 5

• can be difficult or impossible to know result of action
• leads to objectionable decisions even if consequences are good

Question 6

Deontology

Answer 6

ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish between right and wrong
- dont seal, cheat.
- ex. : An engineer learns a nuclear
missile is about to be launched and can hack the network to cancel launch, but this would violate rule of “breaking
in without permission”

Question 7

Deontology forms

Answer 7

• rights: respects and protects fundamental rights of others
• categorical imperative: would a rule be acceptable if it became universal?

Question 8

Deontology Strengths

Answer 8

• more easily applicable
• less subjectivity and uncertainty

Question 9

Deontology weakness

Answer 9

• Disregards possible consequences of actions
• can produce results many people find unacceptable

Question 10

Virtue

Answer 10

Ethical theory that focuses on moral character of a person
- follow your moral compass
- ex: a virtuous person should work on treating all human beings equally through practice and habit

Question 11

Virtue Example

Answer 11

• courage
• honesty
• temperance

Question 12

virtue strengths

Answer 12

• gives people guiding framework without specific rules
• focuses on growth and development

Question 13

virtue weakness

Answer 13

• some virtues are inconsistent with others
• no consistent application across cultures

Question 14

Challenge of Ethics

Answer 14

• many people fail to recognize when they are dealing with an ethical dilemma
• each ethical perspective has its pros and cons
• ethical frameworks are often in conflict with one another

Question 15

Ethics Problems aren’t created

Answer 15

by unethical people.
- failure to have an ethical code leads people to make questionable decisions in the moment

Question 16

Justifiable rationale

Answer 16

It is of the utmost importance you can provide a justifiable rationale for your decisions and actions

Question 17

moral reasoning

Answer 17

1. begin with an opinion
2. seek the ethical principle on which this opinion is based
3. Revisit the principle when confronted with a situation that calls the principle into question