Ethical Theories Comparison Chart

HU245: Unit 2 Assignment – Theories of Morality

Ethical Theories Comparison Chart

	Utilitarianism	Ethical Egoism
How is “good” Determined	An act that produces the greatest happiness and promotes the most good for the most people.	An act that promotes the individual’s long term interest.
Most Noted Philosopher(s)	Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill	Ayn Rand, Thomas Hobbes
Major Strengths	Seeks to maximize happiness and benefit all.	Tries to encourage independence.
Major Weaknesses	Onecan’talwayspredictresultsorpleaseeveryone.	One can be viewed as selfish.
	Ethics of Care	Kantianism
How is “good” Determined	An act that nurtures the connections among those closest to each other.	An act that is based on reason and duty, andwould be considered ethical if everyone did the same.
Most Noted Philosopher(s)	Carol Gilligan, Nel Noddings	Immanuel Kant
Major Strengths	We focus on those we love/who are closest to us.	Emphasizes the rights of the individual.
Major Weaknesses	Threatens to devolve into tribalism.	Emphasizes duty over the desire to do good.
	*Prima Facie Duties*	*Divine Command Theory*
How is “good” Determined	Adheretoprimafacie duties unlesssolemnreasons or circumstances say to do otherwise.	Adheretothe commands ofGod/religious beliefs, regardless of the consequences that might ensue.
Most Noted Philosopher(s)	Sir William David Ross	Joan of Arc
Major Strengths	Setsprinciplesyetrecognizesoutcomesofactions.	Provides moral law and motivation to follow it.
Major Weaknesses	When is one duty stronger than another?	Evil has been done by so called “religious” people.
	Virtue Theory
How is “good” Determined	Focus not on making good decisions but making good people who will decide correctly.
Most Noted Philosophers	Aristotle, Confucius, McIntyre
Major Strengths	Avoids problems/unifies emotions and reasoning.
Major Weaknesses	Very difficult to apply to specific questions.