Ethical Theory and Business - Chap. 1 cont..

(ways to assess) Moral Disagreements

Obtain objective information
definitional clarity
example -- counterexample
analysis of arguments in positions

Egoism - The theory that regards self-interest as the foundation of morality, the regard of one’s own interest as supreme guiding principle of action, systematic selfishness.

Psychological egoism -- the view that everyone is always motivated to act in his or her perceived self interest
ethical egoism -- theory stating that only valid standard of conduct is the obligation to promote one's well-being above everyone else's

psychological egoism is a descriptive psychological theory about human motivation, ethical egoism is a normative about what people ought to do

Normative Ethical Theory

Utilitarian Theories-
utilitarian series hold that the moral worth of actions or practices is determined by their consequences. An action or practice is right if it leads to the best possible balance of good consequences over bad consequences for all the parties affected. Utilitarians believe that the purpose or function of morality is to promote human welfare by minimizing horns and maximizing benefits.

Essential features of utilitarianism-
1. committed to the maximization of the good and the minimization of harm and evil
2. Theory of the good. Efficiency is the means for maximizing human good.
3. Commitment to the measurement comparison of goods

Act utilitarian - argues that in all situations one ought to perform that at that leads to the greatest good for the greatest number
rule utilitarians - reserved a more significant place for rules, which they do not regard as expendable on grounds that utility is maximize in a particular circumstance

Kantian Ethics
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
In Kantian theories respect for the human being and said to be necessary -- not just an option or once discretion -- because human beings possess a moral dignity and therefore should not be treated as if they had merely the conditional value possessed by machinery, industrial plants, robots, or capital.
Kant's theory finds motives for actions to be of the highest important, in that it expects persons to make the right decisions for the right reasons.
Kant's theory includes -- the person's motive for the action must involve a recognition of the duty to act