morally loaded statement

"you should do x"

(should, ought, x is evil/selfish, etc)

describes something

(the sky is blue)

• actions are morally right if and only if it maximizes overall total utility
• based on the outcomes of a consequence rather than reference to rules
• unpredictable actions
• "keep to the rules UNLESS" these exceptions keep on adding up, this their reason that rule utilitarianism does not work

• rules shape the ideas of what makes an action morally right or wrong
• does not take into consideration the consequences of the action, just whether or not the rule was followed
• idea that greatest good will come from following the rules
• expected actions/behavior
• following it does not always create greatest good, but never following it would NOT create greatest good

action with greatest net utility

(good-bad = net)

principle of utility

"arm chair knowledge"

known independent of experience

faculty of will

free will is our driving force

right intentions

• doing something because it is morally right
• ignoring any inclinations that may make you chose the morally wrong thing
• integrity - doing the right thing because it is right

• "honest shop keeper"
• doing something that is morally right but with the wrong intentions, you have other inclinations,
• not doing it because it is morally right

principle on which a person acts

NOT based on consequences

• ARISTOTLE
• opposite assertions cannot be true at the same time
• "never say never"
• "this statement is false"

• there are many
• commands an action based on an incentive based end
• skills, counsel

• only 1
• commands actions without an incentive
• Moral Law

• not wholly determined by reason
• subject to nonrational incentives
• requires imperatives

• maxim that everyone could plausibly follow
• means an action is morally permissable

• the right thing to do comes before the good thing
• always be moral
• right action has positive moral worth

• ends justify the means
• rightness defined by goodness

• longterm "what will the this action bring me in the future
• maybe bad consequences, but good in the future

no moral absolutes (rules that cannot be broken) except principle of utility

ex: sometimes, in some cases, lying is ok

solves problem of injustice

knowledge of morally right and wrong actions

rule worship objection - YOU CANNOT BREAK RULES

therefore you make exceptions

exceptions can collapse into act-utilitarianism

impartiality

conventional moral wisdom

moral flexibilty

expansive moral community

injustice

adopt rule utilitarianism