Normative Theories Contents Normative theories Consequencialist theory Egoism

Normative Theories

Contents Normative theories Consequencialist theory Egoism Utilitarianism Non- consequentialist theory Rights principle Distributive Justice Ethics of Care Virtue Ethics

Normative Theories literally “Normative” means process of setting standards or rules of behavior”. Normative theories propose some actions or principles for distinguishing right actions from wrong actions. These theories can be divided into 01: Consequentialist 02: Non- consequentialist approaches.

01: Consequentialists Theory Many philosophers(jeremy bentham) have argued that the moral rightness of an action is determined solely by its results or consequence. Ø If the results are good , then the act is right. Ø If the results are bad , then that act is wrong. It can be further divided into two more approaches : A: Egoism B: Utilitarianism

Egoism(Consequentialist) The view that associates morality with self interest is referred to egoism. Egoists struggles that an act is morally right if and only if it best promotes an agents self interest (agent refers to particular group or organization). Egoists use their self interest as the standard for measuring the actions rightness.

Egoism(Consequentialist) According to egoism we care for others because it is in our best self interest. “ I am not required to act in the interest of others, but I should if that is the only way to promote my own self interest”. Example… Providing more and more facilities to your employees does not mean that you are caring for your employees, but you want them to be more productive(profit).

Problems with Egoism 1: Egoism is not a sound theory: It is a wrong notion that we care for others only because it is in our own best self interest. Example… A man while driving a company truck, spotted smoke coming from inside a car. The man quickly take a U turn, drove up to the burning vehicle and found a one year old girl trapped in the back seat. Disregarding his own safety , the man entered the car and removed the infant.

Problems with Egoism 2: Egoism ignores deliberate Wrongs: The most common objection to egoism is that by reducing everything to the standards of self-interest. Egoism takes no stand against seemingly outrageous acts like Ø Ø Stealing Murder… Deliberately false advertising… Earnings through illegal ways