GS Paper 4 Ethics
Ethics in Human Action: Elements for Evaluating Human Action & Theoretical Framework
Human action is an act performed consciously, deliberately, and voluntarily using intellect and free will.Its ethical character is assessed by examining the intention of the actor, nature of the action, means adopted, consequences produced and circumstances surrounding the action.
An involuntary act, such as an accidental movement or an action performed without awareness, generally carries less moral responsibility than a deliberate action.
Elements for Evaluating Human Action
- Intention: The purpose or motive behind the action.
- Donating to help the poor differs morally from donating only to gain publicity.
- Nature of the Action: Whether the action itself is considered right or wrong.
- Torture remains morally problematic even when used to obtain useful information.
- Means Adopted: The methods used to achieve the objective. Ethical ends do not automatically justify unethical means.
- A civil servant cannot use fabricated evidence to punish a corrupt official.
- Consequences: The actual or reasonably foreseeable effects of the action on individuals and society.
- A development project must be assessed in terms of both economic benefits and displacement.
- Circumstances: The context in which the action is performed, including urgency, available alternatives, knowledge and constraints.
- Breaking a traffic rule to transport a critically injured person may be judged differently from doing so for convenience.
- Freedom and Knowledge: Moral responsibility is stronger when the person acts voluntarily and understands the likely consequences.
Theoretical Framework
- Consequentialism
- Consequentialism judges an action mainly by its outcomes. An action is right if it produces desirable consequences.
- Central Question: What will be the result of the action?
- Utilitarianism
- Utilitarianism considers an action right when it produces the greatest overall good or happiness for the greatest number.
- Consequentialism judges an action mainly by its outcomes. An action is right if it produces desirable consequences.
- Deontological Ethics
- Deontological ethics judges an action by whether it conforms to moral duties and rules
- Central Question: Is the action itself consistent with duty ?
- Deontological ethics judges an action by whether it conforms to moral duties and rules
- Virtue Ethics
- Virtue Ethics is a normative philosophical approach that urges people to live a moral life by cultivating virtuous habits.
- It asks not merely, “What should I do?” but also, “What kind of person should I become?”
- Central Question: What would a virtuous person do?
Batman’s Dilemma in The Dark Knight
Batman gets an opportunity to kill the Joker, whose death could prevent him from harming many more people.
- Consequentialist Perspective: Killing the Joker may be justified because taking one life could save many others.
- Deontological Perspective: Killing the Joker would be wrong because killing is inherently wrong, irrespective of the beneficial consequences.
- Virtue Ethics Perspective: Virtue ethicist “would highlight the character of the person who kills the Joker. Does Batman want to be the kind of person who takes his enemies’ lives?”
Other Ethical Approaches
- Rights-Based Ethics
- Rights-based ethics judges actions according to whether they respect the fundamental entitlements and dignity of individuals.
- Central Question: Does the action respect the rights of every affected person?
- Surveillance for public safety must be balanced against the individual’s right to privacy.
- Justice-Based Ethics
- Justice-based ethics evaluates whether benefits, burdens, opportunities and penalties are distributed fairly.
- Central Question: Is the decision fair to all concerned?
- Welfare resources may be distributed according to need rather than equally among all citizens.
