ethics across the curriculum. values clarification presenting students cases and asking: “what...

Applying Moral Theories to Case Studies

Ethics Across the Curriculum

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do

you think?”

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do

you think?”

Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Values Clarification Presenting students cases and asking: “What do

you think?”

Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.

Goal: consistency among their beliefs

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Moral Theory Approach

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral

theories.

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral

theories.

Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why, and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.

Two Approaches to Using Case Studies

Moral Theory Approach Presenting students case studies and moral

theories.

Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why, and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.

Goal: a plausible moral worldview (not merely internal consistency)

Duty-based Theories

Duty-based Theories

Humans are intrinsically valuable.

Duty-based Theories

Humans are intrinsically valuable.

Why? Value is either “extrinsic” (ascribed) or “intrinsic”

(inherent). Beings who have (a) the capacity for

understanding moral reasons and (b) acting on moral reasons are the only sort of beings for whom moral obligations are relevant, thus they are the source of all extrinsic value in the universe.

Humans meet conditions (a) and (b). Therefore, humans are intrinsically valuable.

Duty-based Theories

Humans are intrinsically valuable.

Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.

Duty-based Theories

Humans are intrinsically valuable.

Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.

Which rational criterion is relevant depends on the duty-based theorist.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.

Utilitarianism

Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.

The value of each being that can experience pleasure and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is calculated equally.

Utilitarianism

Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of reality.

The value of each being that can experience pleasure and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is calculated equally.

An act is right or wrong insofar as it increases or decreases the overall happiness of the most sentient beings over the longest time.

How does this work?

Inclination Intended Result

Will Duty

Actual Result

What makes an act right or wrong?

Duty-based Theories

Inclination Intended Result

Will Duty

Actual Result

What makes an act right or wrong?

Utilitarianism

Inclination Intended Result

Will Duty

Actual Result

What makes an act right or wrong?

Applying Moral Theories to Case Studies

The Trolley Case