Ethical relativism-There is no objective basis for moral claims.
oCultural relativism-Right is defined by culture and does not apply outside of that culture.
oIndividual relativism-argues that ethics is nothing more than a matter of personal opinion (even
cultural norms don’t matter).
Approaches to ethics
oNormative ethics-ethics tells us how we ought to act, what kind of people we should be, and what
kind of society we ought to have. Philosophical ethics are normative.
oDescriptive ethics-ethics tells us how people actually do act, what kind of people they are, and what
kind of society we have. Descriptive ethics are typically part of psychology, anthropology, and
political science.
oApplied ethics-is ultimately a process of asking three questions:
1. What is the world like right now (descriptive)?
2. What should be like (normative)?
3. How do we get from #1 to #2?
Virtue ethics: (Aristotle) This branch of ethics focuses on cultivating human beings’ characters so
that we will have the habits necessary to achieve common goals.
oTelos of eudaimonia-Literally “good” + “spirit”. Often translated as “true happiness.”
oVirtues and vices-Virtues are those character traits that allow us to (1) become excellent human
beings and (2) relate harmoniously to others in our environment.
oDoctrine of the mean- golden mean. Climax slope with still at top.
oMoral exemplar-an ideally virtuous person
Deontology (Duty ethics): Right and wrong are based on principles that rational people would
choose as laws for all human beings.---Kant
The good will (intent)-The intent to do what is right is all that matters. You should only receive
credit for actions motivated by a sense of moral duty.
Categorical imperative: “Categorical” means “unambiguously explicit” and “imperative” means
“you must do it”
Kant gives three formulations of the categorical imperative:
1. Universal Maxim: Act so that the maxim (rule) of your action can be willed as a
universal law for all rational beings. Golden Rule Examples: lying, stealing music
2. Respect for persons-Rational beings are to be treated as ends in themselves, never as
a means to the end of your own satisfaction.Examples: paying your debts, sexual
assault
3. Universal lawgiver (parallels Rawls’ veil of ignorance)- What would be the laws for
an ideally just society?
*Rawls bases his idea of the Veil of Ignorance on this: what laws would everyone agree are
fair to everyone in society.
Rawls’ two principles of justice
1. Equality principle-All people in society have an equal right to the greatest basic
freedoms compatible with equal freedom for all.
2. Difference principle-Socio-economic inequalities must benefit everyone in society,
particularly the least well off, and everyone must have equal access to these positions.
Rights:
