Normative Ethical Theory

Definition

Normative ethical theory refers to the framework that provides guidelines on how individuals should act and what constitutes right or wrong behavior. It aims to establish moral standards and principles that can guide actions in various contexts, addressing questions about what people ought to do. This theory is vital for understanding moral reasoning and evaluating ethical dilemmas, connecting deeply with concepts like values and morality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Normative ethical theories serve as foundational frameworks for analyzing moral issues, helping individuals determine ethical courses of action.
2. These theories often fall into categories like consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, each offering different perspectives on moral reasoning.
3. Normative ethical theories not only influence personal decision-making but also shape societal norms and laws by providing a basis for evaluating right and wrong.
4. The application of normative ethical theory can vary across cultures and contexts, reflecting differing values and beliefs about morality.
5. Philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill have significantly contributed to the development of normative ethical theories, each advocating for distinct approaches to ethics.

Review Questions

• How do normative ethical theories help in resolving moral dilemmas?
  • Normative ethical theories provide a structured way to analyze moral dilemmas by establishing criteria for what is considered right or wrong. By applying principles from these theories, individuals can weigh their options against established moral standards, facilitating clearer decision-making. For instance, consequentialism might guide one to consider the outcomes of their actions, while deontology would focus on adherence to moral rules.
• Compare and contrast consequentialism and deontology as normative ethical theories.
  • Consequentialism and deontology represent two distinct approaches within normative ethical theory. Consequentialism focuses on the outcomes of actions; it argues that the morality of an action is determined by its results. In contrast, deontology emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules regardless of outcomes. While consequentialists might justify harmful acts if they lead to a greater good, deontologists would argue that certain actions are inherently wrong no matter the consequences.
• Evaluate the impact of virtue ethics in contemporary discussions of normative ethical theory.
  • Virtue ethics has significantly influenced contemporary discussions by shifting the focus from rules or consequences to the character of the moral agent. This perspective encourages individuals to cultivate personal virtues like honesty, courage, and empathy as foundations for moral behavior. In evaluating modern ethical challenges, virtue ethics highlights the importance of moral character in making decisions, fostering a more holistic understanding of ethics that complements traditional normative theories.

Related terms

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Deontology:

An ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following rules and duties, regardless of the consequences of those actions.

Virtue Ethics:

An ethical approach that focuses on the character and virtues of individuals rather than on rules or consequences, highlighting moral excellence.