PHIL 1550 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: John Stuart Mill, Virtue Ethics, Deontological Ethics
12 Jun 2020
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Ethical theories are views that dictate what we think we should and should not do and concentrates on the difference between good and bad. Stuart mill: deontology is referred to as backwards thinking because it is concerned with the reasons for which a person acts as opposed to the consequences. Involves the categorical imperative where the principles for which you act on should be principle that you would wish all people to act on. From a consequentialist point of view lying to the murderer is justifiable as it will result in saving the life of your friend. Morality is found in the pursuit of good outcomes. It is described as the ability to do otherwise. Free will is relevant to the law because it is how we justify punishment of criminals. This is the way of justifying the punishment of criminals, we claim that they deserve it: materialism is the belief only in the physical world.
