PAF 460 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Deontological Ethics, Consequentialism
Document Summary
Three major approaches to ethical thinking are drawn from philosophic traditions: virtue, principles, and consequences. The virtue-based approach looks inward at the qualities of an exemplary person. The principle-based approach examines external standards of behavior. The consequentialist approach finds the best outcome as a justification for ethical action. The virtuous person shows characteristics that mark one as a person of integrity. In this view, ethical decision making is intuitive; one grasps in a holistic way what a good person would do. This view does not address the larger issue of the right (principle). There is debate about which virtues are most important. It does highlight obligations of officials. identifies six pillars of character : trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship. The virtues approach is intuitive, asking who shall i be? . The administrator need not learn how to be virtuous. Virtue must be practiced; one pursues rather than achieves virtue.
