Moral Theories in Action (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
Moral Theories in Action
Introduction to moral decision-making
When faced with ethical dilemmas, people use various moral principles to guide their choices. These frameworks help individuals determine what they believe is the right course of action in different situations. People consider their life experiences, circumstances, beliefs, and upbringing when making moral decisions.
Moral theories provide structured approaches to ethical decision-making. Each theory offers a different lens through which to view moral problems and suggests different criteria for determining right from wrong.
The complexity of moral decision-making means that reasonable people can examine the same situation using different ethical frameworks and reach completely different conclusions about what constitutes the "right" action.
Core moral theories
Deontological ethics
Deontological ethics is a duty-based approach to moral decision-making. This theory suggests that moral choices should be guided by what our obligations and duties are within society.
Key principles:
- Actions are right or wrong based on whether they follow established rules and duties
- The law of the land serves as a primary guide for moral behaviour
- Consequences are less important than following proper procedures and rules
Practical Example: Following Traffic Laws
A deontologically-minded person would always stop at red traffic lights because it is their civic duty to follow traffic laws, regardless of the time of day or traffic conditions.
Similarly, regarding drug use:
- If substances are legal in their country → no moral objection to using them
- If they are illegal → using them would be wrong because it violates the moral principle of law-abiding citizenship
In deontological ethics, the morality of an action depends entirely on whether it follows established rules and duties, not on the consequences it produces.
Hedonism
Hedonism is a moral theory that prioritises the pursuit of pleasure and enjoyment as the primary goal of human action.
Key principles:
- The main aim when making decisions should be to maximise pleasure or enjoyment
- Personal satisfaction and happiness are the ultimate measures of moral worth
- What brings the most fun or pleasure is considered the right choice
Practical Example: Cannabis Use from a Hedonistic Perspective
When considering cannabis use, a hedonist would view smoking cannabis as an opportunity to experience pleasure. From this perspective, if the action brings enjoyment and personal satisfaction, it would be considered the morally right thing to do.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism focuses on achieving the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people affected by an action.
Key principles:
- Actions are judged by their consequences and outcomes
- The morally right action is the one that produces the most beneficial results overall
- Individual interests may be sacrificed for the greater collective good
Classic Example: The Runaway Train Dilemma
A runaway train is heading towards five people. If you could divert the train to kill one person instead of five, what would you do?
Utilitarian Analysis:
- Current situation: Five people will die
- Alternative action: One person will die
- Utilitarian choice: Divert the train to save five lives
- Reasoning: This action produces better overall consequences - more good (saving five lives) than harm (losing one life)
Utilitarianism can sometimes require individuals to make personal sacrifices for the greater good, which can create challenging moral dilemmas in practice.
Regarding drug use, utilitarianism would consider the broader implications. If using illegal drugs funds criminal enterprises that cause widespread harm, the utilitarian might oppose it. However, if cannabis is used for legitimate medical purposes to treat conditions like epilepsy, the utilitarian approach would support its use because it maximises wellbeing by reducing suffering.
Right relationship
This moral theory emphasises maintaining good relationships with other people and with God.
Key principles:
- Actions should preserve and strengthen interpersonal connections
- Decisions are evaluated based on how they affect relationships within communities
- Harmony and mutual respect guide moral choices
Practical application: Someone following this approach would consider how their actions might damage trust with family members, friends, or their spiritual community before making decisions.
The right relationship approach reflects a community-centered view of ethics, where individual actions are always considered within the context of their impact on social bonds and spiritual connections.
Applying moral theories in practice
Different moral theories can lead to completely different conclusions about the same ethical issue. This demonstrates why moral decision-making can be complex and why people may disagree about what constitutes right action.
When applying these theories:
- Consider which values are most important to you
- Think about the specific circumstances of each situation
- Recognise that multiple perspectives may have validity
- Understand that moral reasoning requires careful consideration of principles and consequences
In real-world situations, people often combine elements from different moral theories rather than strictly following just one approach. This hybrid thinking reflects the complexity of human moral reasoning.
Past examination patterns
The Leaving Certificate examination regularly tests understanding of these moral theories through various question formats:
- Analysis questions: Students must explain how different moral philosophies approach decision-making
- Application questions: Students apply theoretical frameworks to specific moral issues
- Comparison questions: Students examine multiple approaches to the same ethical dilemma
Common topics that appear in examinations include crime and punishment, medical ethics, politics and economics, relationships and sexuality, and violence.
When preparing for examinations, practice applying each moral theory to different scenarios and be prepared to explain how the same situation might be viewed differently through various ethical lenses.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Each moral theory provides a different framework for approaching ethical decisions - duty, pleasure, consequences, or relationships
- Deontological ethics emphasises following rules and duties regardless of outcomes
- Hedonism prioritises personal pleasure and satisfaction as the key to moral decision-making
- Utilitarianism seeks to maximise good consequences for the greatest number of people affected
- People often combine elements from different theories when making real-world moral choices