Action Based Ethical Systems

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Action Based Ethical Systems

One criticism would be that Action- Based Ethics lack a motivational

component.

Critics claim that action based ethics are uninspiring and very

negative. They would say that it fails to inspire someone to action.

Most of the commandments and rules in such systems are innately

negative "Thou shalt not…"

There is something unfit about a morality which is so unevenly defined

in terms of "Thou shalt nots", emphasising innocence instead of an

"energetic pursuit of the Good". The only sure principle is a

reciprocal duty to do no harm. This kind of theory places a very low

value on morality, judging it mainly as a necessary evil. The aretaist

rejects this judgement, they see morality as an intrinsically

worthwhile activity.

Another criticism is that action based ethics are founded on a

theological- legal model that isn't really appropriate. Moral language

in traditional schemes usually has a structure that resembles that of

law. Traditional, natural law ethics used this model with integrity,

for it saw moral principles as terminology to law and God as alike to

the sovereign. Now, however, ethics has become autonomous activity, so

that it is now an inarticulate metaphor.

The virtue ethicists reject this model. Ethics should help us develop

admirable characters that will generate the kind of insights needed

for the difficulties of life.

In this regard, the legalistic bent of modern moral theory has the

effect of weakening the spirit of morality. Rules often get in the way

of kindness and spontaneous charity.

Also, action based ethics often ignore the spiritual dimension of

ethics. Action based ethics reduce all moral judgement to judgements

about actions and neglect the spiritual qualities of gratitude, self

respect, sympathy, having one's emotions in proper order, and aspiring

to become a certain kind of person.

Virtue ethicists often cite Kant's theory as a model of an anti-

virtue ethics. They point out that a trial of Kant's extreme action-

centred approach highlights the need for a virtue alternative.

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