PHIL 3310 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, Consequentialism
22 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Chapter 2
Study Guide 2-(Normative Theories of Ethics)
“A defensible moral judgment must be supportable by a sound moral principle”.
Normative- standard, guide:
P 69—Read and note the guidelines for handling obligations, ideals, effects.
Obligation- binding, contractual, duty to do certain things and avoid doing others
Ideals- morally important goal
Effects- consequences
1. Define consequentialist theory.
a. Consequentialist theory is the moral rightness of an action is determined
by its results
2. Define non-consequentialist theory.
a. Non-consequentialist theory contend that right and wrong or determined
by more than likely consequences of an action
3. Summarize three problems with egoism according to Shaw.
a. Three problems with egoism according to Shaw are psychological egoism
is not a sound theory, ethical egoism is not really a moral principle at all,
and ethical egoism condones blatant wrongs.
4. Define Utilitarianism. How did Bentham and Mill apply their ideas of
utilitarianism?
a. Utilitarianism is the moral doctrine that we should always act to produce
the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by
our actions. They used the utilitarian standard to evaluate and criticize the
social and political institutions of their day.
5. Why is utilitarianism appealing in an organizational context? ( three points)
a. Utilitarianism is appealing in an organizational context because one,
utilitarianism provides a clear and straightforward basis for formulating
and testing policies. Two, utilitarianism provides and objective and
attractive way of resolving conflicts of self-interests. Three, utilitarianism
provides a flexible, result-oriented to moral decision making.
6. Articulate Adam Smith’s view of the role of business in society.
a. Adam Smith argued that leaving business and businesspeople free to
pursue their self-interest will serve good of society. Smith believed that
only through egoistic pursuits could be the greatest economic benefit for
the whole society be produced.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
