PP247 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Primum Non Nocere, Universalizability, Categorical Imperative
Document Summary
Unit 3 ethical theories : contractarian, utilitarian and kantian. Contractarianism: contract theory: utilitarianism: consequence and happiness-based approach of bentham and mill, deontology: duty and rule-based approach of kant and ross. Contractarianism (hobbes: hobbes influenced by religious and civil wars of the period. Ethi(cid:272)al a(cid:374)d politi(cid:272)al theor(cid:455) is a(cid:271)out a(cid:448)oidi(cid:374)g the (cid:858)war of all agai(cid:374)st all(cid:859) of a hypothetical state of nature, and persuading us to accept a minimal morality that is necessary for civil peace. Human beings are self-interested (or egoistic) but rational. Power to use force and arbitrate disputes given by social contract to a sovereign: envisioned as an absolute monarch more stable, less likely to degenerate into civil war. Natural laws (cid:373)erel(cid:455) (cid:858)ge(cid:374)eral rules of reaso(cid:374)(cid:859) (cid:449)hi(cid:272)h e(cid:374)a(cid:271)le e(cid:454)(cid:272)ape of the state of nature. Keep covenants basis of justice and social contract. Shows why even egoist has good reason for subscribing to basics of morality: popularity as theoretical tool in debates about social justice.
