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Major Ethical Systems: **Ethical formalism – the ethical system espoused by Kant that focuses on duty; it holds that the only thing truly good is a good will, and what is good is that which conforms to the categorical imperative. (Imperative principle = all decisions should be made according to absolute rules) **Utilitarianism – the ethical system that claims that the greatest good is that which results in the greatest happiness for the greatest number; major proponents are Bentham and Mill. **Religion – the ethical system that is based on religious beliefs of good and evil; what is good is that which is God’s will. **Natural Law – the ethical system that bases ethics on natural laws; such laws are discovered by reason but exist apart from humankind. **Ethics of Virtue – the ethical system that bases ethics largely upon character and possession of virtues; what is good is that which conforms to the Golden Mean (Golden Mean = Aristotle’s concept on moderation, in which on should not err toward excess or deficiency). **Ethics of Care – the ethical system that defines good as meeting the needs of others and preserving and enriching relationships. **Egoism – the ethical system that claims that good results from pursuing self-interest; what is good is that which benefits me.

The Major Ethical Systems

Ethical formalism: What is good is that which conforms to the categorical imperative.

Utilitarianism: What is good is that which results in the greatest utility for the greatest number.

Religion: What is good is that which conforms to God’s will.

Natural law: What is good is that which is natural.

Ethics of virtue: What is good is that which conforms to the Golden Mean.

Ethics of care: What is good is that which meets the needs of those concerned.

Egoism: What is good is that which benefits me.