What should you do? the runaway train car You are standing next to a switch on a train track when a runaway train car approaches. Five children are playing on the track. If you do nothing they will be killed. If you throw the switch, the train will be diverted but will kill one man working on the other track.
What should you do? another runaway train car You are standing on a bridge over a train track when a runaway train car approaches. Five children are playing on the track. If you do nothing they will be hit by the train car and killed. There is a large man standing next to you. If you push him onto the tracks, the train car will derail and not hit the children but will kill him.
The Ethics of the Good The point of ethics is to make life better – more pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, benefit, welfare for more people. The outcomes of our actions determine their moral worth.
The Ethics of the Good The point of ethics is to make life better – more pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, benefit, welfare for more people. The outcomes of our actions determine their moral worth. Moral thinking is future-oriented, not concerned with motives or the intrinsic nature of our acts.
Utilitarianism Assess the situation at hand . . . ! Figure out all possible relevant actions. ! Calculate their likely costs and benefits to all who will be affected by each.
Utilitarianism Assess the situation at hand . . . ! Figure out all possible relevant actions. ! Calculate their likely costs and benefits to all who will be affected by each. ! Choose the action that produces the greatest overall benefit and least overall harm.
The Ethics of Right Ethical action is an end in itself, not a means to an end. The moral worth of an act is inherent in that act. Moral thinking is past-oriented, concerned with our motives and the intrinsic nature of our acts, but not with their outcomes.
Kantian Ethics Assess the situation at hand . . . ! For each possible response, would it make sense as a universal law? If not don’t do it. ! Does it involve treating anyone as a means to an end? If so don’t do it.
Kantian Ethics Assess the situation at hand . . . ! For each possible response, would it make sense as a universal law? If not don’t do it. ! Does it involve treating anyone as a means to an end? If so don’t do it. ! Is it done out of respect for others, just because it is right? If so do it.
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership 2. Social/Economic rights assurance that social needs are met – shelter, healthcare, education, nutrition
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership 2. Social/Economic rights assurance that social needs are met – shelter, healthcare, education, nutrition assurance that economic needs are met – fair wages, adequate working conditions, social safety net
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership 2. Social/Economic rights assurance that social needs are met – shelter, healthcare, education, nutrition assurance that economic needs are met – fair wages, adequate working conditions, social safety net
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership 2. Social/Economic rights assurance that social needs are met – shelter, healthcare, education, nutrition assurance that economic needs are met – fair wages, adequate working conditions, social safety net 3. Collective/Developmental rights self-determination – political status, resources, sustainability
Three Categories of Rights 1. Civic/Political rights physical and civil security – no slavery, equal treatment before law individual liberties – speech, assembly, participation, ownership 2. Social/Economic rights assurance that social needs are met – shelter, healthcare, education, nutrition assurance that economic needs are met – fair wages, adequate working conditions, social safety net 3. Collective/Developmental rights self-determination – political status, resources, sustainability rights of ethnic and religious minorities – culture, communication, religion
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