business law

Definition

Teleology

The group of ethical theories that justify the morality of an action on the basis of its consequences.

Deontology

Theories that advocate for right actions applied in a principled and consistent way.

Relativism

The belief that human beings have a moral sense that recognizes the moral character of an act.

Virtue Theory

The Virtue Theory considers an act to be good on the basis of the character trait or virtue that the act evidences.

Common Phrases

"The end justifies the means." "The greatest happiness for the greatest number of people."

"It's the principle of the thing." "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"If we use a moral sensitivity to evaluate ethical theories, why not consult it as the ultimate source of moral evaluation?"

"Saving a child from a burning building is good because it evidences courage." "Giving money to the poor evidences generosity."

Organizing Concept

Act in order to produce the greatest happiness as a consequence.

Act according to the proper principle, and be consistent in applying it.

Act according to your inner sense of what is right or wrong.

Act as a person of good character, and set a good moral example for others to follow.

Leading Advocates

John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham

Immanuel Kant

G.E. Moore

Aristotle, Alasdair MacIntyre

Key Questions

What are the consequences of my action? What are the long-term effects of my action? Does my action promote the greatest happiness?

What principle applies in this case? Can this principle be applied consistently in this case and in all similar cases? Which course of action best exemplifies the ideal of treating all people as ends in themselves? Which course of action best exemplifies and most fully promotes the ideal of a society of free, responsible people whose ends promote each other rather than conflict with each other?

What does my conscience tell me about this action? Do I feel good about this action?

What character traits does this action express? What effect will this action have on my character? What effect will this action have on the character of other people? Is this the action of a person whose character I would admire?

Weaknesses or Flaws

How does one define happiness? What if one person's happiness is not the same as another person's happiness? Is there ever a case where happiness should be sacrificed for higher values?

There is no foolproof way of formulating consistency in a way that infallibly describes moral action; although Kant tries with his three categorical imperatives.

There are controversial ethical issues on which people's moral senses differ. The relativist provides no way to decide among the different intuitions.

What makes a trait good? What makes a trait bad?