Dilemma Reflection

Literature

• Aristotle The Nicomachean Ethics Oxford World's Classics

• Kant, I. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

• Mill, J.S. (1957) Utilitarianism Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Co.

• Singer, P. (1993) Practical Ethics Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Theory

This tool was developed from existing sources by Karim Benammar, Victor van den Bersselaar en Cris van der Hoek.

The three main forms of Ethics

Duty ethics

• Also known as rule ethics; duty ethics; deontology.

• Following ethical and/or religious rules such as the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule (i.e. treat others as you would like to be treated yourself).

• Act according to what you would wish to become a general law (Kant).

• Concerns the action.

• Philosopher: Immanuel Kant.

Consequentialism

• " Also known as utilitarianism.

• Only the results determine whether something is good or bad. People want to increase pleasure and avoid pain.

• Difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism.

• Concerns the aim.

• Philosophers: Jeremy Bentham; John Stuart Mill; Peter Singer.

Virtue Ethics

• The moral attitude and character of the person who acts determine what is good.

• What does the case say about the character of those involved?

• Cardinal virtues: prudence, courage, temperance, justice.

• Care virtues: attentiveness, responsibility, competence, responsiveness.

• Self-determination: carefulness, spiritual courage, willingness to learn, self-discipline.

• Concerns the character of the actor.

• Philosophers: Aristotle; Joan Tronto; Michel Foucault.