PSYCH238 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Pinto Horse, Consequentialism, Categorical Imperative

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH238
• Professor: Doug Brown

Document Summary

Ethical dilemma: a situation where two (right) values are in conflict. Hit by low speed in the rear will cause fires. Met the current safety requirements at the time. How do you solve this. responsibility to the company pushes you in one way responsibility to society pushes you another way. Three primary approaches: consequentialist approaches (utilitarianism) focus on the consequence of the action identify the actions to take and the harms/benefits the actions. Best decision yields the greater net benefits to society. Worst decision yields the greater net harm to society. Used a consequentialist approach in the train problem. Pulling the lever usually would benefit society. Best decision = produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Anyone on the road recall coordinator recall costs: Can you really see what decision will produce the greatest good: deontological approach: focus on principles/values. We have duties/obligations to uphold ethical principles, rules and values.