overview of the three ethical traditions, names discussed and some important concepts in Business & Consumer Ethics.
Do not buy this document alone, is rather as an ultra short summary (6 pages) of the three ethical traditions: utilitarianism, duty ethics and virtue ethics + a list of all names ...
Consequences
Consequentional = Utilitarianism (UTI)
ethics
focuses on the results or consequences of our actions & what brings us
utility. About the consequences that maximises our pleasure and minimize
our pain.
Should we do it? if it gives a good outcome, you are ought to do it. Good
consequences equal good actions.
Actions should be measures in terms of the happiness or pleasure that they
produce. (= hedonistic theory: the good equals the pleasant)
The arguments of this ethical tradition are the majority of the arguments used
in business ethics, political thinking and western thinking.
! the main ethical reflection used in western welfare society
Context:
- the “Rise of a New World Order” in the 16th century (Copernicus,
Newton); empiricism: knowledge & sciences by experiments and
measuring facts. Modern science
o Idea of cause & effect comes from modern science
o Making ethics a science
o UTI is all about calculation. It’s designed to be a form of
“enlightened social engineering”
! not an egoistic theory: the pleasure of others should be taken into account
The principle of utility: “We should act always so as to produce the
greatest good for the greatest number” (= thé rule in utilitarianism)
! important to not be biased what your pleasures are so when you make
the calculation you should do it in the perspective of a spectator.
Important names: founding fathers
- Bentham (18th century - act utilitarianism: each situation a new
specific calculus)
o Felicific calculus
- J.S. Mill (19th century - rule utilitarianism: ranking pleasures according
to their importance)
1
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller michellevandemoortele. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.20. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
