The document discusses several ethical perspectives including act-centered theories focusing on duties and consequences, agent-centered virtue ethics examining character, and differences between the two. It also examines Kantian deontology emphasizing intention over outcomes, rule and act deontology, and intuitionism basing morality on self-evident principles.

1. Ethical Perspectives

2. Ethical Perspectives
Act Centered

3. Ethical Perspectives
Act Centered
Deontology- Duty

4. Ethical Perspectives
Act Centered
Deontology- Duty
Teleology- Consequences

5. Ethical Perspectives
Act Centered
Deontology- Duty
Teleology- Consequences
Agent Centered

6. Ethical Perspectives
Act Centered
Deontology- Duty
Teleology- Consequences
Agent Centered
Virtue Ethics- Moral Character

7. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics

8. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics
Act centered theories focus on identifying procedures for
determining moral obligations

9. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics
Act centered theories focus on identifying procedures for
determining moral obligations
Agent centered theories focuses on long-term patterns of
action.

10. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics
Act centered theories focus on identifying procedures for
determining moral obligations
Agent centered theories focuses on long-term patterns of
action.
In act-centered morality the motivation to be moral is found
either in our duties themselves, or in our desire to bring
about good outcomes.

11. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics
Act centered theories focus on identifying procedures for
determining moral obligations
Agent centered theories focuses on long-term patterns of
action.
In act-centered morality the motivation to be moral is found
either in our duties themselves, or in our desire to bring
about good outcomes.
The motivation in virtue theory is the virtue itself.

12. Differences Between Act Centered and Agent Centered
Ethics
Act centered theories focus on identifying procedures for
determining moral obligations
Agent centered theories focuses on long-term patterns of
action.
In act-centered morality the motivation to be moral is found
either in our duties themselves, or in our desire to bring
about good outcomes.
The motivation in virtue theory is the virtue itself.
courage, temperance, justice, prudence, fortitude, liberality, and
truthfulness.

13. Deontology

14. Deontology
Kant

15. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that

16. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that
• we owe each other particular duties.

17. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that
• we owe each other particular duties.
• What is important is the motivation or
intention for an action.

18. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that
• we owe each other particular duties.
• What is important is the motivation or
intention for an action.
• If our motive is morally sound then our
actions should be judged as morally sound.

19. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that
• we owe each other particular duties.
• What is important is the motivation or
intention for an action.
• If our motive is morally sound then our
actions should be judged as morally sound.
Focus on establishing primary duties of
participants

20. Deontology
Kant
18th Century Philosopher argued that
• we owe each other particular duties.
• What is important is the motivation or
intention for an action.
• If our motive is morally sound then our
actions should be judged as morally sound.
Focus on establishing primary duties of
participants
Motive or Intention is what is judged

21. Kantian Ethics

22. Kantian Ethics
“ A man is acting morally only when he suppresses
feelings and inclinations and does what he is obliged
to do, e.g. ‘doing one’s duty’.

23. Kantian Ethics
“ A man is acting morally only when he suppresses
feelings and inclinations and does what he is obliged
to do, e.g. ‘doing one’s duty’.
“There is a difference also between actions which are
in accord with duty and those done from duty. The
former are not necessarily moral but the latter are.“

24. Kantian Ethics
“ A man is acting morally only when he suppresses
feelings and inclinations and does what he is obliged
to do, e.g. ‘doing one’s duty’.
“There is a difference also between actions which are
in accord with duty and those done from duty. The
former are not necessarily moral but the latter are.“
“The essence of morality is to be found in the motive
from which the act is done (not the consequences).”

25. The Hypothetical
Imperative

26. The Hypothetical
Imperative
This is where the moral command is qualified
(something is attached to the original command that makes it
apply if certain other conditions exist)

27. The Hypothetical
Imperative
This is where the moral command is qualified
(something is attached to the original command that makes it
apply if certain other conditions exist)
For example

28. The Hypothetical
Imperative
This is where the moral command is qualified
(something is attached to the original command that makes it
apply if certain other conditions exist)
For example
‘treat others with respect if you want to be treated with
respect.’ These types of moral imperatives can be seen as
providing a ‘means to an end’. The action is based on
perceived consequences.

29. The Categorical
Imperative

30. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as

31. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as
‘treat others with respect,’ or ‘always tell the truth’.

32. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as
‘treat others with respect,’ or ‘always tell the truth’.
No consideration is given to the consequences (or ends)
that might result from actions taken in accordance with
these imperatives.

33. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as
‘treat others with respect,’ or ‘always tell the truth’.
No consideration is given to the consequences (or ends)
that might result from actions taken in accordance with
these imperatives.
These imperatives, like other persons, are ends in
themselves.

34. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as
‘treat others with respect,’ or ‘always tell the truth’.
No consideration is given to the consequences (or ends)
that might result from actions taken in accordance with
these imperatives.
These imperatives, like other persons, are ends in
themselves.
 “The Golden Rule”

35. The Categorical
Imperative
Actions are defined without qualification such as
‘treat others with respect,’ or ‘always tell the truth’.
No consideration is given to the consequences (or ends)
that might result from actions taken in accordance with
these imperatives.
These imperatives, like other persons, are ends in
themselves.
 “The Golden Rule”
 ‘Act towards others as you would want them to act
towards you’

36. Rule Deontology

37. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.

38. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples

39. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism

40. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism
• Non-judgementalism, or confidentiality in some models of
counselling

41. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism
• Non-judgementalism, or confidentiality in some models of
counselling
Duties might include :-

42. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism
• Non-judgementalism, or confidentiality in some models of
counselling
Duties might include :-
“always tell the truth”

43. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism
• Non-judgementalism, or confidentiality in some models of
counselling
Duties might include :-
“always tell the truth”
 “do no harm”

44. Rule Deontology
Rules are set based on explicit duties which must be
applied in relevant circumstances.
Examples
• Pacifism
• Non-judgementalism, or confidentiality in some models of
counselling
Duties might include :-
“always tell the truth”
 “do no harm”
 “serve needs before wants”

45. Intuitionism

46. Intuitionism
Intuitionism holds that there are several moral
principles serving as a class or standard for
right action.

47. Intuitionism
Intuitionism holds that there are several moral
principles serving as a class or standard for
right action.
These principles are self evident- known to be
right through intuition in the sense that the
rightness or wrongness of an action is obvious
to us (but not in the sense of intuition as a ‘hunch’ that
something may be true)

48. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’

49. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people

50. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others

51. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others
• Treating others justly (i.e according to merit, need or
as an equal)

52. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others
• Treating others justly (i.e according to merit, need or
as an equal)
• Telling the truth (or not telling lies)

53. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others
• Treating others justly (i.e according to merit, need or
as an equal)
• Telling the truth (or not telling lies)
• Keeping promises

54. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others
• Treating others justly (i.e according to merit, need or
as an equal)
• Telling the truth (or not telling lies)
• Keeping promises
• Promoting one’s own happiness

55. Some examples of ‘self evident moral principles’
• Promoting the happiness of other people
• Refraining from harming others
• Treating others justly (i.e according to merit, need or
as an equal)
• Telling the truth (or not telling lies)
• Keeping promises
• Promoting one’s own happiness
• Maintaining and promoting one own virtues (self
respect)

57. Act Deontology

58. Act Deontology
Duties are not defined before the act which is
being judged

59. Act Deontology
Duties are not defined before the act which is
being judged
Opposed to rules in principle because each
situation is unique. The Context in which actions
take place must be taken into account.

60. Act Deontology
Duties are not defined before the act which is
being judged
Opposed to rules in principle because each
situation is unique. The Context in which actions
take place must be taken into account.
Moral Duty= Be true to yourself/Act with
integrity

61. Scenario
 Michael works as a staff nurse on a specialist unit for people with neurological disorders.
Elizabeth, a twenty six year old school teacher who has recently given birth to her first baby,
was admitted with a history of muscle weakness and changes in sensation in her legs and
lower body. Following initial investigations the medical team feel that the most likely diagnosis
is multiple sclerosis.
 It is very difficult to predict how each patient’s MS will progress during the early stages of the
disease. Some may deteriorate rapidly and become unable to care for themselves within a few
years but in many cases patients with multiple sclerosis recover well after the first episode
and enter a period of remission which may last twenty or more years.The medical team have
a policy of not giving patients a diagnosis of MS during the first episode and prefer to wait
until the patient has had a further episodes before they tell the patient the diagnosis.
 Elizabeth, who is making good progress and is regaining most of her physical abilities, has
asked Michael what the results of the medical tests have shown.
 What duties do you think Michael might have? Who to? How should he act?

62. Health Ethics

63. Health Ethics
 “All work for health, every last bit of it, is at
some point inspired by a human value that
has been chosen from alternatives. This sets
the decision over what the health service
should be doing, what it should look like, not
in an unassailable objective position, but
firmly on the shoulders of those people with
the power to change it. All health workers are
included in this number…” (Seedhouse, D
(1988) Ethics: The Heart of Health Care
Chichester, John Wiley p57)

64. Further Reading
Henry, I.C and Pashley, G ( 1990) Health
Ethics Lancaster, Quay Publishing
Raphael, D.D (1994) Moral Philosophy (2nd
edition) Oxford, Oxford University Press
Seedhouse, D (1988) Ethics: The Heart of
Health Care Chichester, John Wiley