Ethics
Tuesday 11-13-01
Rule Utilitarianism-
Follow the rule which leads to the
greatest happiness (if everyone followed
it)
-If the rule you are following in your action
would lead to non-optimal
consequesces, then the act is wrong.
~Kant does not look at consequences.
-Do not look at the particular act for the
most happiness but should look at
the consequences of the rule.
Example. lieing-brings bad
consequences so you should not lie.
-should I lie to my mom about my
bad grades? Represents
the rule "lie to get out of trouble"

-best rule for rule utalitarianism:
maximize happiness.
-rule utalitarianism "collapses"
into act utalitarianism
*you have to specify that the rule is valid
for people under similar
circumstances, and you habe to specify
what exceptions you might want to
make.

Naturalistic Fallacy-
Can not prove ethical principles by
appealing to empirical facts.
Example.Testosterone makes men
more violent.
-can not base fact by what one
ought to do. Just cause men
have high testosterone does not
mean they should have bar
fights.
-proving morality is like proving 2+2=4
-Mill and Kant: Ethical reasoning
Bernard Williams article:
1.George is offered a job at a biowarfare
lab. (pg.250)
2.Jim offered a chance to execute one
man thus save 19 from execution
by Pedro (pg.251)
all dies- Jim feels less guilty
one dies- Jim feels guilty
Williams says it is ok. for George and Jim
to op out because of the value of
integrity.
-Makes integrity as a value more or less
unintelligible.
-Integrity nees to maintain his or her own
principles.

Critisisms of Utalitarianism-
utilitarianism alienates us form our
deeply held moral principles. Morality
can not require you to become a
murderer, thief liar, etc.

responcibility-doing vs. allowing