Normative Ethics: The Ethical Theory In The Theories Of Ethics

Throughout the centuries the great thinkers of mankind have sought to develop comprehensive theories of ethics. The proper study of ethics requires us to consider such questions as right and wrong, vice and virtue, obligation, and value. It is this sort of self-reflection on the part of mankind that separates us from the animal kingdom. Indeed, the importance of studying ethics cannot be understated as the eminent philosopher Louis. P Pojman writes in his book Ethics Discovering Right and Wrong:

A knowledge of ethical theory has enormous practical benefits. It can free us from prejudice and dogmatism. It sets forth the comprehensive systems from which to orient our individual judgements. It carves up the moral landscape so that we can sort out the issues in order think more clearly and confidently about moral problems. ()

This paper will be concerned with the key theories in the field of Normative Ethics. The primary

The objection as stated, is based on a rigid and incorrect understanding of what constitutes a moral absolute. Moral absolutes or objective moral duties do not permit exception. However, they do permit exemptions. Certain absolutes are weightier or less weighty than others. This concept is best illustrated in the philosophical concept of prima facie duties. A prima facie duty is “an objectively true, exception less moral duty that can be overridden by a weightier duty in a specific instance when this occurs the prima facie duty does not disappear, but continues to apply to the specific instance in question and makes its presence felt” (466). A clear distinction must be made between exceptions and exemptions “with an exemption the overridden principle continues to apply. In latter cases the excepted principle no longer applies at all.” Given this distinction the initial objection to deontological ethics no longer applicable and poses no problem for the deontological