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Understanding Subjective Relativism

This document summarizes four ethical theories: subjective relativism, divine command theory, Kantianism, and utilitarianism. Subjective relativism holds that each person decides right and wrong for themselves, but this view lacks distinction between actions and reason. Divine command theory states that good actions align with God's will as revealed in holy texts, and owes obedience to the creator. Kantianism argues that the only intrinsically good thing is a good will, and reason should encourage doing the right thing. Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their consequences, with the principle being to maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness.

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106 views2 pages

Understanding Subjective Relativism

This document summarizes four ethical theories: subjective relativism, divine command theory, Kantianism, and utilitarianism. Subjective relativism holds that each person decides right and wrong for themselves, but this view lacks distinction between actions and reason. Divine command theory states that good actions align with God's will as revealed in holy texts, and owes obedience to the creator. Kantianism argues that the only intrinsically good thing is a good will, and reason should encourage doing the right thing. Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their consequences, with the principle being to maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness.

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h00085974
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Ethics in Information Technology, Second Edition

level virtualization
Chapter 2

1.Subjective Relativism

What Is Relativism?

Relativism

No universal norms of right and wrong

One person can say X is right, another can say X is


wrong, and both can be right
Subjective relativism

Each person decides right and wrong for himself or herself

Whats right for you may not be right for me autonomy

Case Against Subjective


Relativism

Not clear distinction between doing what you think is right


and doing what you want to do
Makes no moral distinction between the actions of different
people
Decisions may not be based on reason
Not a workable ethical theory

2. Divine Command Theory


Overview of Divine
Command Theory

Case for Divine Command


Theory

Good actions: those aligned with Allahs will


Bad actions: those contrary to Allahs will
Quran reveal Allahs will
We should Quran as moral decision-making guides
We owe obedience to our Creator
Allah is all-good and all-knowing
Allah is the ultimate authority

3. Kantianism
Critical Importance of
Good Will

Case for Kantianism

1 | Page

Good will: the desire to do the right thing


Immanuel Kant: Only thing in the world that is good without qualification is a
good will
Reason should encourage desire to do right thing
Rational
Produces universal moral guidelines
Treats all persons as moral equals
Workable ethical theory

4. Utilitarianism

Principle of Utility

Act Utilitarianism

Case for Act


Utilitarianism

Difference between Act


vs. Rule Utilitarianism

2 | Page

-Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill


-An action is good if it benefits someone
-An action is bad if it harms someone
-Utility: tendency of an object to produce happiness or prevent unhappiness
for an individual or a community
-Happiness = advantage = benefit = good = pleasure
-Unhappiness = disadvantage = cost = evil = pain
Act Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that an action is good if its net effect is
to produce more happiness than unhappiness.
Utilitarianism
Morality of an action has nothing to do with intent
Focuses on the consequences
A consequentialist theory
Act utilitarianism
Add up change in happiness of all affected beings
Sum > 0, action is good
Sum < 0, action is bad
Focuses on happiness
Down-to-earth (practical)
Comprehensiv
Workable ethical theory
There is a difference between rule and act utilitarianism. The act utilitarian
considers only the results or consequences of the single act while the rule
utilitarian considers the consequences that result of following a rule of
conduct .

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