There are cultural differences in moral behaviour, and situations, actions etc described as good, bad, ought, wicked, right, wrong result from different actions in different cultures.
Ethics is an attempt to systematise reflections on moral behaviour.
There are two main categories of ethics: deontological and consequentialist.
Deontological ethics (deon = Greek for ‘duty’) arise from an absolute set of values that apply in all circumstances. For example, the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching that abortion is always wrong.
Consequentialist ethics arise from the belief that there are no absolutes, and that the likely outcomes in any situation should be calculated. Benefit and harm are weighed, and the best situation is opted for.
Question:
Consider the claim it is always wrong to tell lies from the point of view of a) a deontologist, and b) a consequentialist.
Ethical decision making
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