Chapter II: Theories of Right Action

សាកលវិទ្យាល័យបញ្ញាសាស្រ្តកម្ពុជា

Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia

 Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Humanities

 Chapter II

Theories of Right Action 

 By

Ven. But Buntenh, Academic Instructor    


 Chapter Outline

1. Chapter Objectives
2. Aim of Ethical Theories
3.  Utilitarianism (two parts)
4.  Rights Ethics : Locke and Liberty Rights
5.  Rights Ethics: Melden and Welfare Rights
6.  Duty Ethics: Kant and Respect for Persons
7. Duty Ethics Ross and Prima Facie Duties

    8. Discussion (Interactive Approaches

                                     Objectives

In the chapter will be centered the Theories of Rights Action andTheories of Good Action. By the completion of the chapter we will be able to:

• Understand the distinction between a theory of Right and a theory of Good.
• Understand Utilitarianism, Ethical Egoism, and Consequentialism
• Know how rule utilitarianism differs from act utilitarianism    

                  Overview of Rights Action

Theories of Rights Action are philosophical concepts concerned with  human nature and their rights and duties to lead the life with ethical values. The concepts mainly focus on individual person’s actions and their consequences.

There are different versions of rights action introduced by difference ethicists during the eighteen-century Enlightenment Era: utilitarianism; rights ethics, and duty. 

Our task here is to define the concept of Rights Action. We may have different perspectives and understanding of the concepts. After having learnt the concepts: utilitarianism; liberty rights; welfare rights; and duty ethics we can theorize the concept of Right Action as the followings:

•      Right action is the action which controls by law;

•      Right action considers to good consequences of action;

•      Right action is the action which is benefits to all;

•      Right action is the consequences of action that is not violate the moral rule.

Other definitions: a right action is an act that is permissible for you to do. It may be either:  a).  An obligation act- is one that morality requires you to do, b).  An optional act- an act not obligatory or wrong to do; it is not your duty.

 
 

                    Aim of Ethical Theories

• The aim of ethical theories- the attempt to provide guidance at a general level for the better understanding about ethical and moral issues are facing in the contemporary world.
• Ethical Theories aspire to present moral ideas and issues clearly, consistently, in comprehensive frameworks that provide balance and perspective on all moral issues, and in ways compatible with relevant facts. 
• To have a better understanding and more clarification on moral issues and ethical dilemma, we should assess the adequacy of ethical theories, then using five criteria. We might call this the 5-C test for ethical theories:

1. Clarity about key ideas and issues,
2. Logical consistency,
3. Consistency with the relevant facts,
4. Comprehensive perspective, and
5. Compatibility with our most carefully considered moral conviction. 

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the moral philosophy putting that at the center of things. It concentrates upon general well-wishing or benevolence, or solidarity or identification with the pleasure and pain or welfare of people as a whole. The good is identified with the greatest happiness of the greatest number, and the aim of action is to advance the good (this is known as the principle of Utility).

We should always do whatever will produce the greatest possible balance of happiness over unhappiness for everyone who will be affected by our action.

Utilitarianism is often summed up as doing ‘the greatest good for the greatest number.’

Utilitarianism: Mill and Act-Utilitarianism

                  (John Stuart Mill 1806-1873)

• Utilitarianism believes there is a single moral requirement-to produce the most good for the most people, giving equal consideration to everyone affected.
• Act- utilitarianism holds that individual actions should maximize utility.
• An action is good if it benefits someone
• An action is bad if it harms someone

Utilitarianism: Brant and Rule-Utilitarianism

                        (Brandt – Rule-Utilitarianism (1910-1997) 

We ought to adopt moral rules which, if followed by everyone, will lead to the greatest increase in total happiness

• Rule-utilitarianism holds that actions should be based on a system of rules that maximize utility
• An act is right if and only if it falls under a correct moral rule
• So not only must the act to have good consequences but it must not violate any moral rules
• Rules are justified in terms of the social utility that results in the long term by obeying them.
• Rules are justified in terms of the social utility that results in the long term by obeying them.
• Rule Utilitarianism maintains that the utilitarian standard should be applied not to individual actions but to moral codes as a whole.

 

Right Ethics: Locke and Liberty Rights

                                (John Locke (1632-1704)

• Natural Law
• Natural Rights

Locke was especially, interested in Liberty Right.

Human beings are entitled to life, Liberty and property.

According to the theory of moral rights, human beings have certain fundamental rights that should be respected in all decision:

• The right to have promises kept
• The right to privacy
• The right to have private property

Rights Ethics: Melden and Welfare Rights

Going beyond Locke, Melden suggests that the basic right to pursue our interest entails rights to be helped in some situations.

• Melden argues that contemporary societies ought to institutionalize welfare systems.
• The right to pursue one’s legitimate interest

Duty Ethics: Kant and Respect for Persons

                              (Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

All persons have duties to respect each other because of each person’s inherent moral dignity and worth.

Kant was the most influential duty ethicists. He suggested that three abstract duties underlie all others:

1. Act so as to respect persons,
2. Act on principles, and
3. Act autonomously

• An action has moral worth if it is done for the sake of duty.
• An action is morally correct if its maxim can be willed as a universal law.
• We should always treat humanity, whether in ourselves or other people, as an end in itself and never merely as means to an end.

Acting for the sake of Duty is:

• Acting without self-interest
• Acting without concern for consequences
• Acting without inclination the role of compassion
• Acting from a sense of duty means that an individual acts the way he thinks he should, regardless of whether or not it makes him happy or produces any benefits. 
• Kant argues that it is not enough to just do the right things, an individual must also do it for the right reason.

 

Duty Ethics: Ross and Prima Facie Duties

                 (David Ross 1877-1971)

•Prima Facie Duty is a conditional duty it may be overridden by a duty of greater importance. Prima Facie Duties are not static.

•Here two duties come into conflict:  the duty to protect innocent life versus the duty not to lie.

•Virtually all duty ethicists agree that the duty to protect innocent life should have priority. 

• Ross said that duties which have justified exceptions when they conflict with other more pressing duties are prima facie duties.
• Our actual duty is what we should do in a specific situation, all things considered, and after we have weighed all applicable prima facie duties reasonably. 

                     Discussion Sessions

1. Which theory is the best for you?

2. Why do you prefer the particular theory? How do you apply the like theory in practical life in this complex societies.