2023-02-23 15:11 Tags: # Deontology Moral value is based on the nature of the action - some are just good, some are just bad. Some things are right and wrong because of the nature of the thing. e.g. murder - shouldn't kill because it's a bad thing to do. ## Agent Centred Theories ([duty ethics](duty%20ethics.md)) see  ## Patients Centred Theories ([rights ethics](rights%20ethics.md)) see  ## Social Contract Theory Not in the same plane of agent or patient, different entirely. How do we interact with each other in society? ### Contractarianism Thomas Hobbs - contractarianism - humans are selfish and we organise selfishly. We should make mutually beneficial decision. e.g. instead of ethics seminar, sit and mine bitcoin for 3 hours. ### Contractualism (Scanlon) Are our actions reasonably justifiable to everyone else? Reasonable people shouldn't be able to reject your actions. Reasonable person - Moderately logical, average human intellect, doesn't need to be perfect. Issue - can't you just tell yourself that a reasonable person would do something and it is justified? ## Emmanuel Kant His death marked the end of the enlightenment. ### The categorical imperative The categorical imperative - thought his 4 were all the same. ### 1. Act according to the maxim that you would will to become a universal law Do things that you would want everyone to do. e.g. lying - if everyone lied, there wouldn't be any trust, therefore don't lie. ## 2. Don't treat other humans as merely a means to an end but as ends into themselves Basically, don't use other people. e.g. whisper in Justin's ear to ask Epps for a raise. Doesn't mean you can't use other people - e.g. taking a taxi, but compensating for their time - acknowledging their dignity. ## Other claims All systems of normative ethics should have no moral dilemmas. E.g. moral duties. Is your friend in, I want to shoot them. Duty not to lie, but also duty to protect human life. ## William Ross prima facie duties - general in nature - do not kill/lie/look our for friends etc. absolute duties - applicable in very specific times. Conflict doesn't mean it's pointless, but just that you have to do work. ## Responses Understand the relevant duties/rights and then explain which is most important. ## Issues Specificity problems - so many exceptions that it becomes impractical. Or could write entire rulebook down but it won't Unclear how to resolve conflict of duties. Lots of different types of duties - e.g. professional, personal, global. e.g. Police brutality - issues with justice and ethics. [^1] --- # References [^1]: