I've found many of the topics here deal with the moral value of certain practices. Is this, that or the other thing right or wrong? I'm curious just how people come to these conclusions. As a student of sociology and philosophy I'm intrigued by the reasons people think what they do. I'll provide a framework for various branches of moral philosophy and let me know which branch you subscribe to and why. Ready?
Deontological Ethics (Duty Ethics): A duty is a moral obligation that an agent has towards another person, such as the duty not to lie. Etymologically, duties are actions that are due to someone else, such as paying money that one owes to a creditor. In a broader sense, duties are simply actions that are morally manditory. Medieval philosophers such as Aquinas argued that we have specific duties or obligations to avoid committing specific sins. Since sins such as theft are absolute, then our duty to avoid stealing is also absolute, irrespective of any good consequences that might arise from particular acts of theft. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, many philosophers held the normative theory that moral conduct is that which follows a specific list of duties. These theories are also called deontological theories, from the Greek word deon, or duty, since they emphasize foundational duties or obligations. Kant is an excellent example of a duty ethics philosopher.
Divine-Command Ethics: A moral theory or framework according to which actions are right or wrong because of God's commands. Stealing is wrong because the Ten Commandments prohibit it.
Utilitarianism: A moral theory or framework, especially connected with Mill, according to which actions are right or wrong because of the total happiness they bring about. Stealing is wrong because it makes more people more unhappy than a rule against stealing does.
Virtue Ethics: A moral theory or framework, especially connected with Aristotle, according to which ethical value inheres in people's virtues. Virtue ethics focuses not on actions but on good and bad character. Stealing is wrong because a person of balanced character would not give in to the temptation to steal.
Moral Relativism: A moral theory or framework according to which actions are right or wrong because of the beliefs of one's culture or group. Stealing is wrong because our culture doesn't like it.
To which branch do you subscribe?
Deontological Ethics (Duty Ethics): A duty is a moral obligation that an agent has towards another person, such as the duty not to lie. Etymologically, duties are actions that are due to someone else, such as paying money that one owes to a creditor. In a broader sense, duties are simply actions that are morally manditory. Medieval philosophers such as Aquinas argued that we have specific duties or obligations to avoid committing specific sins. Since sins such as theft are absolute, then our duty to avoid stealing is also absolute, irrespective of any good consequences that might arise from particular acts of theft. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, many philosophers held the normative theory that moral conduct is that which follows a specific list of duties. These theories are also called deontological theories, from the Greek word deon, or duty, since they emphasize foundational duties or obligations. Kant is an excellent example of a duty ethics philosopher.
Divine-Command Ethics: A moral theory or framework according to which actions are right or wrong because of God's commands. Stealing is wrong because the Ten Commandments prohibit it.
Utilitarianism: A moral theory or framework, especially connected with Mill, according to which actions are right or wrong because of the total happiness they bring about. Stealing is wrong because it makes more people more unhappy than a rule against stealing does.
Virtue Ethics: A moral theory or framework, especially connected with Aristotle, according to which ethical value inheres in people's virtues. Virtue ethics focuses not on actions but on good and bad character. Stealing is wrong because a person of balanced character would not give in to the temptation to steal.
Moral Relativism: A moral theory or framework according to which actions are right or wrong because of the beliefs of one's culture or group. Stealing is wrong because our culture doesn't like it.
To which branch do you subscribe?