Ethics

“For that standard is not the agent’s own happiness, but the greatest amount of happiness altogether” 

• Kant

• Mill

• Aristotle

Happiness is the only intrinsic good. No action is right/good or wrong/bad by nature.

The rightness of actions is judged in relation to the happiness actions cause.

• Eudaimonia

• Greatest happiness principle

• The Universal Test

“The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life--knowing that under certain conditions it is not worth while to live. He is of a disposition to do men service, though he is ashamed to have a service done to him. To confer a kindness is a mark of superiority; to receive one is a mark of subordination... He does not take part in public displays... He is open in his dislikes and preferences; he talks and acts frankly, because of his contempt for men and things... He is never fired with admiration, since there is nothing great in his eyes. He cannot live in complaisance with others, except it be a friend; complaisance is the characteristic of a slave... He never feels malice, and always forgets and passes over injuries... He is not fond of talking... It is no concern of his that he should be praised, or that others should be blamed. He does not speak evil of others, even of his enemies, unless it be to themselves. His carriage is sedate, his voice deep, his speech measured; he is not given to hurry, for he is concerned about only a few things; he is not prone to vehemence, for he thinks nothing very important. A shrill voice and hasty steps come to a man through care... He bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of his circumstances, like a skillful general who marshals his limited forces with the strategy of war... He is his own best friend, and takes delight in privacy whereas the man of no virtue or ability is his own worst enemy, and is afraid of solitude.”

• Kant

• Mill

• Aristotle

The right action in any situation is that which produces the most happiness for the greatest number of people.

• Virtue

• Deontology

• Utilitarianism

Lying to the Nazis is okay for utilitarianism

• True

• False

The End Justify the Means

• Utilitarianism

• Deontology

• Virtues

Lying to the Nazis is good for Deontology

• True

• False

Utilitarianism and Consequentialism are the same

• True

• False

Beneficence (a moral principle) is “the obligation to act for the well-being of others.”

• True

• False

Who wrote; “The creed which accepts, as the foundation of morals, Utility, of the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.”

• Aristotle

• Mill

• Kant