MORAL FRAMEWORKS
REVIEW
We ought to perform actions which
tend to produce the greatest overall
happiness for the greatest number of
people
The end justifies the means
John Stuart Mill - quality over quantity
EXAMPLE: cultivation of the nobleness of
character
MORAL FRAMEWORKS
REVIEW
Morality of an action depends on its intrinsic
nature, its motives, or its rules or principles
and not on its consequences.
Performance of duty and the intention of
the act
For a WILL to be GOOD - doing our duty
from purely Moral Motive
MAXIM - treat Humanity as an end
One can have moral worth (i.e., be a good
person) only if one is motivated by
morality…
MORAL FRAMEWORKS: REVIEW
Veil of Ignorance: deprive participants of
information about their particular characteristics:
ethnicity, social status, gender, conception of The
Good.
►select principles impartially and rationally
►guiding principle: “Justice as Fairness”
Principles of Justice
► Equal liberty: each person has an equal right to the
same basic liberties that are compatible with similar
liberties for all.
► Difference Principle: positions of authority and offices
of command is clear and open to all; provide the
greatest benefit to the least advantaged members of
society.
MORAL FRAMEWORKS: REVIEW
“We live in a purposeful and orderly universe
and so our actions, too, should be purposeful”
HAPPINESS = product of a “reasonable” act; a quality effected by REASON and
the use of REASON
Intellectual Virtue: the greatest human activity and the source of human happiness
is intellectual engagement with reality.
Moral Virtue: VIRTUE is the GOLDEN MEAN between two vices, the one of excess
and the other of deficiency
WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO. EXCELLENCE then is NOT AN ACT BUT A
HABIT.
MORAL ACTION
Making Moral Decisions
-transforming the intent to do what is right & proper
into reality/action.
-it involves moral ownership, moral efficacy, and
moral courage.
MORAL ACTION
recognizing the significance of
feelings or emotions
the proper use of reason
ACTION/EVENT
-the event of waking up.
-the event of studying.
ACTION/EVENT
Moral Dilemma
-a situation wherein a
person is required to make a
difficult choice.
-the situation presents what
is called a moral conflict.
REACTION
Emotion / Feeling
initial reaction
the basis for our response
the best indicator of our humanity
should trigger us to THINK before taking
an ACTION!
REACTION
Thinking
the proper use of REASON
through REASONing, we can logically deal
with the situation
through REASONing, we can have a
REASONable choice
REACTION
Thinking
through thinking, we can employ
IMPARTIALITY
IMPARTIALITY is when a principle of
justice holding a decision should be
based on objective criteria, rather
than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or
preferring the benefit to one person
over another for improper reasons.
ACTION - DECISION
SCOTT RAE – Seven steps in decision-
making
Moral Courage and Will
