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. |
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