What This Document Is
This document is a comparative chart outlining six key ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Ethical Egoism, Kantianism, Divine Command Theory, Virtue Theory, and Rawls’ Theory of Justice, alongside Prima Facie Duties and the Ethics of Care. It’s designed as a quick-reference tool for students studying ethical frameworks. The chart format allows for side-by-side comparison of how each theory determines “good,” its major strengths and weaknesses, and associated key philosophers.
Why This Document Matters
This chart is valuable for students in Purdue University Global’s Ethics (HU245) course, particularly when completing assignments requiring analysis and comparison of these theories. It’s most useful during study and review phases, helping to consolidate understanding of complex philosophical concepts. The chart provides a structured overview, aiding in the identification of core principles and distinctions between each ethical perspective.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This chart provides a high-level overview and does *not* offer in-depth exploration of each theory. It’s a starting point for understanding, not a substitute for detailed reading and critical thinking. The complexities and nuances within each theory are necessarily simplified for the sake of comparison. It doesn’t provide real-world case studies or application examples.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes a table comparing the theories across these categories: how “good” is determined, noted philosophers associated with each theory, major strengths, and major weaknesses. Specifically, it lists key thinkers like Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, and Aristotle. This preview shows the chart’s structure and the types of comparisons made. It does *not* include the full details within each cell of the chart, nor does it include any extended explanations of the theories themselves.