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(Sambungan) Chapter 1 : Introduction to Ethic - Coggle Diagram
(Sambungan) Chapter 1 : Introduction to Ethic
1.8 Rule Utilitarianism
Scenario : Anti-Worm
Applying Principle of Utility to Rules
We ought to adopt moral rules which, if followed by everyone, will lead to the greatest increase in total happiness
Act utilitarianism applies Principle of Utility
to individual actions
Rule utilitarianism applies Principle of
Utility to moral rules
Case for Rule Utilitarianism
• Compared to act utilitarianism, it is easier to perform the utilitarian calculus.
• Not every moral decision requires performing utilitarian calculus.
• Moral rules survive exceptional situations
• Avoids the problem of moral luck
• Workable ethical theory
Case Against Utilitarianism in General
All consequences must be measured on a single scale.
Utilitarianism ignores the problem of an unjust distribution
of good consequences.
Despite weaknesses, both act utilitarianism and rule
utilitarianism are workable ethical theories
1.9 Social Contract Theory
Scenario : DVD Rental
Basis of Social Contract Theory
Thomas Hobbes
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
James Rachels’s Definition
“Morality consists in the set of rules, governing how people are to treat one another, that rational people will agree to accept, for their mutual benefit, on the condition that others follow those rules as well.”
Case for Social Contract Theory
• Framed in language of rights
• Explains why people act in self-interest without common agreement
• Provides clear analysis of certain citizen/government problems
• Workable ethical theory
Case Against Social Contract Theory
• No one signed contract
• Some actions have multiple characterizations
• Conflicting rights problem
• May unjustly treat people who cannot uphold contract
• Despite weaknesses, a workable theory
1.10 Comparing Workable Ethical
Theories
Objectivism vs. Relativism
• Objectivism: Morality has an existence outside the human mind
• Relativism: Morality is a human invention
• Kantianism, utilitarianism, and social contract theory examples of objectivism
1.11 Morality of Breaking the Law
Social Contract Theory Perspective
• Everyone in society bears certain burdens in order to receive certain benefits
• Legal system supposed to guarantee people’s rights are protected
• Everything else being equal, we should be law-abiding
• Should only break law if compelled to follow a higher-order moral obligation
Kantian Perspective
• Everyone wants to be treated justly
• Imagine rule: “I may break a law I believe to be unjust”
• If everyone acted according to this rule, then laws would be subverted
• Contradiction: Cannot both wish to be treated justly and allow laws to be subverted
Rule Utilitarian Perspective
• What would be consequences of people ignoring laws they felt to be unjust?
• Beneficial consequence: Happiness of people who are doing what they please
• Harmful consequences: Harm to people directly affected by lawless actions, general loss of respect for laws, increased burden on criminal justice system
• Harms greater than benefits