Different Considerations for Evaluating Actions

1. Overview of Ethical Theories

There are six ethical theories that we will discuss in our review. First of all, let’s organize them in terms of what type of ethical theory they are—objectivist or relativist.

Conventionalism and egoism are relativist because they hold that right and wrong aren’t the same for all people. Conventionalism says right and wrong are relative to society, convention, or culture; whereas egoism says they are relative to the individual’s own interests.

Divine command theory is objectivist because the moral standards freely commanded by God should apply to all people. Utilitarianism also thinks there are objective moral standards to be obeyed by everyone, based on the utility principle that the more utility or benefit to humans an action brings, the better it is.

Kantian deontology evaluates the intent of an agent, not the outcome of actions. On this account, everyone should make their intentions fit with a universal law, which Kant called the categorical imperative. Finally, virtue-based ethics evaluates actions in terms of how they manifest or inform the agent’s character. According to this theory, all people must try to cultivate the right character traits (virtues) and avoid the wrong ones (vices).

2. Basis for Ethical Valuation

All ethical theories can be grouped under three larger positions, which are primarily distinguished by what they see as the most relevant thing to evaluate. This is detailed in the definitions of these positions below:

• Consequentialism: The position that consequences are the basis for ethical valuation
• Deontology: The position that something intrinsic to the action itself is the basis for ethical valuation
• Character Ethics: The position that the character trait being manifested in the action is the basis for ethical valuation

• Consequentialism: Utilitarianism belongs in this group because moral value is based on the outcome or consequences of the action.
• Deontology: Kantian deontology belongs in this group because moral value is based on the action itself, regardless of the outcome.
• Character Ethics: Virtue-based ethics belongs in this group because moral value is based on the character that motivates an action.

terms to know

Consequentialism

The position that consequences are the basis for ethical valuation.

Deontology

The position that something intrinsic to the action itself is the basis for ethical valuation.

Character Ethics

The position that the character trait being manifested in the action is the basis for ethical valuation.

3. Identifying Different Considerations

Depending on which of these positions you take up, your moral judgments will vary.

IN CONTEXT

Imagine a friend wants company when going to the cinema. They know you don’t like watching films with subtitles, so they lie in order to get you there. In the end, you’re glad you went because you really enjoyed the film.

Here’s how your friend would be evaluated:

1. Consequentialism: Since the outcome was good overall, what your friend did would be evaluated as good.
2. Deontology: Assuming that lying is a bad action, your friend would be evaluated as bad.
3. Character ethics: Your friend’s action could be said to manifest selfishness since their action showed them to be concerned with their own needs before those of others.

Now, let’s consider some common ethical judgments and see which group they come under.

1. Giving to charity is good because its outcome is good (consequentialism).
2. Making polite conversation is good because it manifests the virtue of friendliness (character ethics).
3. Torture is intrinsically wrong because all humans have the right not to be tortured (deontology).
4. Always showing off your achievements is bad because it manifests the vice of boastfulness (character ethics).