Ethics and Politics
- First (Order) Actions Ethics
Looks at the world - Actions types like Murder, cloning etc are morally acceptable. i.e My belief that this chair is blue
- Second (Order) Actions
What is it that makes an action right and wrong
i.e. What makes me believe that this chair is blue.
You can only test your second order ethics with reference to the first. If your belief that murder is OK is tested against the worldly acceptance of murder and find that murder
Aristotle and Ethics
The right action is the action that would be chosen by a virtuous person. A virtuous person as three characteristics
- The person knows what is virtuous. Aristotle does nor accept there are rules. Their general claims have to be applied in specific situations and break down. How do you be kind and honest when giving an opinion. You have broken the rules. This is moral dilemma and you end up making up a rule or prioritize rules. Aristotle says you should maintain both truth and honesty by not making a rule but acting virtuously in the specific circumstances and acting accordingly.
- The virtuous performs the virtuous action. Aristole believes you can be born with the potential, for example, benevolent but you have to work on the disposition to become benevolent. You have to execise and practice the benevolence and do it not because you have to, or be seen to be benevolent but because it is virtuous
- A virtuous person performs the right acton for the right reason
If throughout your lifetime you act as above then you become virtuous.
Aristole believes all the virtues come together. They are temperence, justice, courage and courage.......
Kant
For Kant a action is right if it is done out of reverence for the law or through duty. The difference is the person is acting out of intention not inclinaton. David Hume believes that everything that is done is out of self interest. There is no altruism. If you do the action because it makes you feel good then it is not a moral action says Kant. He defines a Categorical Imperative as a moral law that is not dependent on any other ulterior motive or end. e.g. Do not steal. Kant gives 6 accounts of the categorical imperative. Treat all people as an end not a means.
Utilitarianism
The right action is the one that does the most good for the greatest number of people. This is a consequentialist doctrine not one based on intenton or will. It is the consequwucnes of your actions not your intent that is imporatnt
