Module 3_ Ethical Theories (part 2).pdf - Module 3: Ethical...

Module 3: Ethical Theories (part 2)
Throughout the 3 SWAY presentations in this module, we will cover each of these theories:
• Part 1
- Divine Command Theory (Religion)
- The Healthy Soul (Socrates and Plato)
- Virtue Ethics (Aristotle)
• Part 2
- Deontology (Immanuel Kant)
- Teleology (John Stuart Mill)
• Part 3
- Enlightened Self-interest (Thomas Hobbes)
- Contractarianism (John Rawls)
- Feminist Ethics
In this presentation (part 2) we will learn about deontological and teleological ethical theories.

Teleological theories look forward and deontological theories look backward to decide what is right or
wrong. Some people believe in only one type of theory but we quite often decide what is right
and wrong using both types of theories.

Deontology
Deontology
• From the Greek word “ Deos, ” meaning duty.
• Deontological theories focus on duties and principles.
• Emphasis is placed on doing what is right, based on ethical principles, regardless of
the outcome.
• Best known is Emmanuel Kant ’ s “ categorical imperative. ” (aka Kantian ethics)
In deontological theories, whether an act is right does not depend on the consequences. (Disagrees with
the idea that consequences are important. ) There are certain acts that are right or wrong no matter
what the consequences are. This appeals to the notion that there are certain acts which are wrong even
if they have a good outcome. Some people think we can decide whether acts are right by looking at the
motive behind them. Others think that acts have to conform to rules for them to be right.