Ethical Frameworks: Utilitarianism, Ricoeur, and Virtue Ethics

Paul Ricoeur: Defining Ethics

Ethics is defined as “aiming at the good life with and for others, in just institutions.”

Utilitarianism: Principles and Logic

Utilitarianism posits that the greatest good for the greatest number of people is the measure of right and wrong.

Core Evaluative Questions

• How much pain does this action produce?
• How much pleasure does this action produce?

Attractive Aspects of Utilitarianism

• It does not require a religious argument to propose a moral theory.
• It is based on a consequentialist assumption: if something is considered wrong, it must be proven.
• One must demonstrate that harm is being caused to others.
• It focuses on increasing the well-being of the majority.

Are all pleasures created equal? No.
Are all pleasures commensurable? Yes.

John Stuart Mill on Happiness

For Mill, happiness is not merely a momentary pleasure; quality is valued more than quantity. Justice represents a part of the general utility or happiness for society. Rights should be respected because, in the long run, they generate greater societal happiness.

Components of Justice

• Punishing those who cause harm to others.
• Proving the existence of harm and a victim.
• Judging actions as good or bad based on consequences, measured by the amount of happiness produced.

Ricoeur’s Approach to Ethics

• Aiming for a good life.
• Ensuring this good life is lived with and for other people.
• Implying the necessity of just institutions.

Punishment and Retributivism

While utilitarianism justifies punishment through societal benefits—such as providing comfort to victims, removing criminals from the streets, deterring future crime, and offering rehabilitation—Kant’s theory of retributivism differs.

Retributivism limits punishment strictly to those found guilty. Criminals should be punished simply because they committed crimes, and the punishment must be proportional to the seriousness of the offense.

Virtue Ethics

A virtue is a trait of character based on certain values and manifested in habits.

Aristotle’s Primary Moral Virtues

• Prudence
• Temperance
• Courage
• Justice