Ethical Theories: Virtue, Kantian, and Utilitarianism, Study notes of Ethics

Download Ethical Theories: Virtue, Kantian, and Utilitarianism and more Study notes Ethics in PDF only on Docsity! ETHICAL THEORIES KEYWORDS FOR REFERENCE (DELETE LATER) Virtue Golden Mean: Virtue is the mean between excess and deficiency End Goal: Happiness is desired for its own sake, naturally driven towards happiness Eudaimonia: human flourishing, being the best person you can be is morality Virtue is habitual and is honed through practice, and good influence from their environment You are not virtuous if the reasons for your virtuous actions are selfish or superficial Kantian Treating people as ends in themselves rather than a mere means An action is moral if the maxim (implied rule) applies to everyone All rational beings are important, one must never take away their ability to make their own rational decisions Doing the right thing because it is your duty and not for personal reasons Utilitarianism The ends justifies the means, good consequences = good actions Always think about the happiness of the majority Act Utilitarianism: Greatest good for greatest number of people Rule Utilitarianism: Maximize utility; live by rules that will lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people