Applying Moral Theories

by Harris,C. E.

• ISBN13: 9780495007050
• ISBN10: 0495007056
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-07
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Preface. 1. What Is Ethics? 2. Morality: Subjective or Objective? 3. Moral Theories. 4. The Ethics of Self-Interest. 5. The Ethics of Natural Law. 6. The Ethics of Utilitarianism. 7. The Ethics of Respect for Persons. 8. Virtue Ethics. Appendix I: Applying the Moral Theories. Appendix II: Cases for Analysis. Index.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
What Is Ethics?	1	(18)
Three Types of Claims Made in Moral Arguments	2	(5)
Factual Issues	3	(1)
Conceptual Issues	4	(2)
Moral Issues	6	(1)
The Nature of Moral Statements	7	(5)
Normative versus Factual Statements	7	(1)
An Important Corollary	8	(2)
Characteristics of Ethical Statements	10	(2)
Concepts in Ethical Discourse	12	(2)
A Burn Victim's Desire to Die	14	(3)
Factual Issues	15	(1)
Conceptual Issues	15	(1)
Moral Issues	15	(1)
Moral and Factual Statements	16	(1)
Characteristics of Moral Statements	16	(1)
Concepts in Moral Philosophy	17	(1)
Concept Summary	17	(2)
Morality: Relative or Objective?	19	(19)
Classical Moral Relativism	20	(7)
The Diversity Thesis	21	(1)
The Relativity Thesis	22	(2)
The Toleration Thesis	24	(1)
Evaluating Classical Moral Relativism	25	(2)
Limited Moral Relativism	27	(5)
The Diversity of Morality	28	(1)
Limits to Moral Diversity	29	(2)
Evaluating Limited Moral Relativism	31	(1)
Concept Summary	32	(1)
The Divine Command Theory	32	(4)
Rationality versus Truth	36	(1)
Concept Summary	37	(1)
Moral Theories	38	(25)
Common Morality and Moral Theories	39	(3)
The Three Levels of a Moral Theory	42	(8)
First Level: Moral Judgments	44	(2)
Second Level: Moral Principles	46	(2)
Third Level: Moral Standard	48	(2)
Four Criteria for Evaluating a Moral Theory	50	(4)
Criterion 1: Consistency and Coherence---Does the Theory Yield Consistent Judgments and Show Internal Coherence?	50	(2)
Criterion 2: Justification---How Well Can the Moral Standard Be Justified?	52	(1)
Criterion 3: Plausibility---Does the Moral Theory Produce Moral Judgments That Agree with Our Prior Moral Beliefs?	52	(2)
Criterion 4: Usefulness---Is the Theory Useful in Resolving Moral Disagreements?	54	(1)
Concept Summary	54	(1)
Problems in Applying Moral Principles	55	(7)
Relevance Problems	55	(4)
Conflict Problems	59	(2)
Room for Disagreement	61	(1)
Concept Summary	62	(1)
The Ethics of Self-Interest	63	(25)
The Paradox of Egoism	65	(2)
The State of Nature	65	(1)
An Illustration	66	(1)
Escaping from the Paradox of Egoism	67	(2)
The Moral Standard	69	(1)
Checklist for Applying Act Egoism	70	(1)
Checklist for Applying Rule Egoism	70	(1)
Concept Summary	71	(1)
The Personal and Social Ethics of Egoism	71	(5)
Duties to Self	71	(1)
Duties to Others	72	(1)
Social Ethics	73	(3)
Concept Summary	76	(1)
Applying the Ethics of Egoism	76	(6)
Case 1: Bryan's Dilemma	77	(1)
Case 2: The Legalization of Homosexual Acts Between Consenting Adults	78	(2)
Case 3: Should a Lawyer Reveal the Truth?	80	(2)
Evaluating Egoism as a Moral Theory	82	(4)
Criterion 1: Coherence and Consistency	82	(1)
Criterion 2: Justification of the Moral Standard	82	(2)
Criterion 3: Plausibility of the Moral Judgments	84	(1)
Criterion 4: Usefulness	85	(1)
Concept Summary	86	(2)
The Ethics of Natural Law	88	(32)
The Natural-Law Moral Standard	89	(4)
What Is Natural Law?	89	(2)
Human Nature and Natural Inclinations	91	(2)
Moral Absolutism and the Qualifying Principles	93	(6)
Moral Absolutism	93	(2)
Qualifying Principles	95	(4)
Checklist for Applying Natural-Law Ethics	99	(1)
Concept Summary	100	(1)
The Personal and Social Ethics of Natural Law	100	(6)
Duties to Self	100	(3)
Duties to Others	103	(1)
Social Ethics	103	(3)
Concept Summary	106	(1)
Applying the Ethics of Natural Law	107	(7)
Case 1: AIDS and Condoms	107	(3)
Case 2: The Morality of Obliteration Bombing	110	(1)
Case 3: The Suppression of Galileo	111	(3)
Evaluating Natural Law as a Moral Theory	114	(4)
Criterion 1: Consistency and Coherence	114	(1)
Criterion 2: Justification	115	(1)
Criterion 3: Plausibility	116	(2)
Criterion 4: Usefulness	118	(1)
Concept Summary	118	(2)
The Ethics of Utilitarianism	120	(33)
The Utilitarian Moral Standard	121	(5)
The Definition of Utility	122	(2)
Distribution versus Quantity of Utility	124	(1)
The Place of Animals	125	(1)
Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism	126	(3)
Further Considerations in Applying Rule Utilitarianism	129	(4)
Will Others Obey the Rules?	129	(1)
How Should the Rule Be Formulated?	130	(3)
Checklist for Applying Rule Utilitarianism	133	(1)
Checklist for Applying Act Utilitarianism	133	(1)
Concept Summary	134	(1)
Utilitarian Personal and Social Ethics	134	(6)
Duties to Self	135	(1)
Duties to Others	136	(2)
Social Ethics	138	(2)
Applying Utilitarian Theories	140	(6)
Case 1: The Willowbrook School	140	(2)
Case 2: The Morality of Whaling	142	(2)
Case 3: Reverse Discrimination	144	(2)
Evaluating Utilitarianism as a Moral Theory	146	(5)
Criterion 1: Consistency and Coherence	147	(1)
Criterion 2: Justification	147	(1)
Criterion 3: Plausibility	148	(2)
Criterion 4: Usefulness	150	(1)
Concept Summary	151	(2)
The Ethics of Respect for Persons	153	(39)
The Universalization Principle as a Version of the Moral Standard	155	(4)
The Self-Defeating Test	155	(3)
Guidelines for Applying the Universalization Principle	158	(1)
The Means-End Principle as a Version of the Moral Standard	159	(10)
Preliminary Concepts	160	(4)
The Negative Test	164	(1)
The Positive Test	165	(4)
Checklist for Applying the Ethics of Respect for Persons	169	(1)
Concept Summary	169	(1)
The Personal and Social Ethics of the Ethics of Respect for Persons	170	(4)
Duties to Self	170	(1)
Duties to Others	171	(1)
Social Ethics	172	(2)
Concept Summary	174	(1)
Applying the Ethics of Respect for Persons	174	(12)
Case 1: The Case of Baby Marissa	174	(3)
Case 2: Deceptive Psychological Testing	177	(3)
Case 3: Surrogate Mothers	180	(3)
Case 4: Buying and Selling Blood	183	(3)
Evaluating the Ethics of Respect for Persons as a Moral Theory	186	(4)
Criterion 1: Consistency and Coherence	186	(1)
Criterion 2: Justification	186	(2)
Criterion 3: Plausibility	188	(1)
Criterion 4: Usefulness	189	(1)
Concept Summary	190	(2)
Virtue Ethics	192	(30)
What is Virtue Ethics?	194	(1)
What Is a Virtue?	195	(2)
Aristotle's Portrait of the Virtuous Person	197	(5)
The Magnanimous Man and the Golden Mean	197	(3)
Love and Friendship, Happiness, and Luck	200	(2)
Feminism and the Ethics of Care	202	(4)
Ethics in a Different Voice	202	(2)
An Ethics of Relationships	204	(2)
Virtue Pluralism	206	(2)
Checklist for Applying Virtue Ethics	208	(1)
Concept Summary	209	(1)
Virtues and Personal and Social Ethics	210	(3)
Duties to Self	210	(1)
Duties to Others	211	(1)
Social Ethics	212	(1)
Concept Summary	213	(1)
Applying Virtue Ethics	213	(6)
Case 1: Abortion	214	(1)
Case 2: Animal Rights	215	(1)
Case 3: The Job vs. Conscience	216	(1)
Case 4: The Patient Wants to Die	217	(1)
Case 5: Perilous Pursuit	218	(1)
Evaluating Virtue Ethics	219	(2)
Criterion 1: Coherence and Consistency	219	(1)
Criterion 2: Justification of the Moral Standard	219	(1)
Criterion 3: Plausibility of Moral Judgments	220	(1)
Criterion 4: Usefulness in Resolving Ethical Conflicts	221	(1)
Concept Summary	221	(1)
Appendix I Applying the Moral Theories	222	(3)
Appendix II Cases for Analysis	225	(22)
Index	247