Approaches to Ethical Thinking

Where have we been all semester?

Approaches to Ethical Reasoning

PrinciplesCasesVirtues

Possible sources of ethical principles

Kantian ethicsUtilitarian ethicsRights-based theoriesReligious ethicsFeminist ethics (?)Communitarian ethics

Kantian Ethics

Core Idea: We can use our reason to discern that some actions are wrong based on the nature of the action and apart from its practical consequences

Utilitarianism

Core Idea: Ethics should be based on facts about the results of our actions upon human happiness and suffering in the real world

Rights

Has a legitimate role in ethical reasoning Grounded in basic theory of human

flourishing Sets constraints on maximizing good Sets constraints on majority rule

In our culture, too often used to stop, not pursue ethical dialogue

Rights (cont.)

Indicates the realm of “stranger ethics”

Compare: Child’s right to an open future Child’s right not to be abused or

neglected

Religious ethics

Not explicitly addressed in classArgue: No need to allow a concern

for separation of church and state in pluralistic society to exclude religious ethics from public dialogue as a possible source of wisdom

Feminist ethics

Negative value Critique of ethical conclusions that were

arrived at without hearing the voices of the less powerful or without considering the standpoint of all involved people

Positive value Ethics of caring, relationships Role of emotion in ethics

Communitarian ethics

Can serve as important corrective to excessive reliance on individual rights, autonomy

Reminds us that we are often most accurately described as “most real” as members of families and communities, not as isolated individuals

Approaches to Ethical Reasoning

PrinciplesCasesEither-or or both-and?

Abstract principles

Concrete specific judgments

PRINCIPLES CASES

Abstract principles

Concrete specific judgments

REFLECTIVEEQUILIBRIUM

Reflective Equilibrium

Look for best overall “fit”Reason both from cases to principles

and from principles to casesSometimes a specific case judgment

will seem better “grounded,” other times a principle will

Be willing to revise ethical judgments based on new ideas and insights

Snapshot vs. videotape

What does it mean to do the right thing now?

Rules, principles, case studyWhat does it mean to live a morally

good life?

Virtue

Virtue Approach

Focus on questions of character and integrity (“professionalism”)

In health care: important values such as compassion and courage

Because more self- than other-oriented, won’t work as complete system of ethics

A Better Understanding

A & S, p. 9Human life and behavior is

exceedingly complexTo be workable as a theory or model,

must be simpler than real lifeTherefore, any one theory will have

gaps and blind spots but may be good partial description of the moral life

Blind Men and Elephant

A Helpful Metaphor?

Approach each ethical problem as a job

Ethical theories are tools in your tool box which you bring to the work

Part of job is picking the right tools to perform that job well