Why Ethics
Ethical principles, if adopted, should lead to better societies where the individual actions are motivated by the common good and not selfish interests. Unlike laws of the land or religious codes of conduct, ethical behaviour is not motivated by rewards or punishments be it real or otherwise. In ethics the reward is to improve the quality of life in the present and for the future. An ethical decision should be independent of the person making the decision provided all the facts are made available to the decision maker.
There are two main approaches in ethics:
Outcome focused - an action is preferred if it ultimately leads to 'greatest good for greatest number of people'. In other words our choices should lead to increased well-being for maximum number of people most of the time. It assigns equal weight to the well-being of all and eliminates subjectivity from decision making.
In extreme circumstances, the approach is not able to provide simple solutions. For instance is it acceptable to suspend normal conventions and torture a suspected terrorist to save many lives? If so, saving how many lives (1 or 100 or 1000) makes torturing acceptable. A bigger issue in this case is will a suspect provide useful information when tortured or (s)he will confess to anything if pushed far enough?
Ignoring extreme circumstance, the approach should lead to 'happier' individuals and communities.
Action Focused
Kant's approach
Aristotle - the purpose of life is happiness
Ethical principles, if adopted, should lead to better societies where the individual actions are motivated by the common good and not selfish interests. Unlike laws of the land or religious codes of conduct, ethical behaviour is not motivated by rewards or punishments be it real or otherwise. In ethics the reward is to improve the quality of life in the present and for the future. An ethical decision should be independent of the person making the decision provided all the facts are made available to the decision maker.
There are two main approaches in ethics:
Outcome focused - an action is preferred if it ultimately leads to 'greatest good for greatest number of people'. In other words our choices should lead to increased well-being for maximum number of people most of the time. It assigns equal weight to the well-being of all and eliminates subjectivity from decision making.
In extreme circumstances, the approach is not able to provide simple solutions. For instance is it acceptable to suspend normal conventions and torture a suspected terrorist to save many lives? If so, saving how many lives (1 or 100 or 1000) makes torturing acceptable. A bigger issue in this case is will a suspect provide useful information when tortured or (s)he will confess to anything if pushed far enough?
Ignoring extreme circumstance, the approach should lead to 'happier' individuals and communities.
Action Focused
Kant's approach
Aristotle - the purpose of life is happiness
Aristotle believes that we choose honour, pleasure, justice, and equality because we think they will make us happy. He assets that happiness can be achieved if the true nature of being human is realised. Man is different from other creatures because of his mental capabilities, therefore full development of this faculty will give him fulfillment and happiness. Once the basic physical needs met, fulfillment is achievable by leading a life of reason - moderation, self-control, clear judgement. Extremes in his opinion is a vices and the virtual path is defined by the golden mean: modesty, honesty, liberality good humour, friendship etc. These qualities are achieved through training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do.
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