D773 Technology and Ethics: Emerging Trends and Society Technology and Ethics Notes:
Exploring Ethical Frameworks and Implications 2025 Western Governors University
Technology and Ethics: Emerging Trends and Society
,• utilitarianism: best action brings the most happiness to the most people
• deontology: right or wrong based on rules, not outcomes
• virtue ethics: building good traits like honesty and kindness for right choices
• decision: choice or action to achieve something
• ethics: study of right and wrong behavior and values
• applied ethics: using moral theories to judge if specific actions are right or wrong
• bioethics: ethics related to medicine and health care issues
• desire: preference or want for something
• morality: behavior codes from society or individuals
• descriptive ethics: study of what people believe and how they act based on those
beliefs
• normative ethics: examines how we should act based on ethical principles
• philosophical argument: reasons (premises) leading to a conclusion
• emotion: feelings influencing decisions on right or wrong
• premises: reasons in a philosophical argument supporting a conclusion
• belief: a person’s perspective about how the world is; one’s acceptance of a claim one
takes to be true.
o Consequentialist
Ethics: This framework
focuses on the
outcomes or
consequences of
actions. One form is
Utilitarianism, which
suggests that the best
action is the one that
maximizes positive
outcomes for all
individuals.
Another form of
consequentialist
ethics is Mohism.
According to this view, the morality of an action is determined by how it
benefits the community (as compared to individuals). An action is morally right
if it leads to more overall good than harm.
, o Deontological Ethics: Deontological ethics, often associated with the
philosopher Immanuel Kant, emphasizes duties and rules. Rather than focusing
on the consequences, this framework argues that specific actions are
inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes. For example, telling the
truth is considered a moral duty, even if it might lead to negative
consequences. Deontologists believe that a sense of duty should always guide
our actions.
o Character-Based Ethics: Also known as Virtue Ethics, this framework
emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits or virtues, such
as honesty, courage, and compassion. Originating from Aristotle, it suggests
that a virtuous person will naturally make ethical decisions. The focus is on
being rather than doing—cultivating a moral character, which thereby leads to
right action.
o Relational Ethics: This framework highlights the significance of relationships,
intersectional identity, and the context of relational interactions. Feminist
ethics fall under this category, emphasizing empathy, care, and the
importance of personal relationships in moral decision-making. It argues that
ethical behavior arises from nurturing and maintaining healthy relationships.
Instrumental vs. Intrinsic Good
Understanding the distinction between instrumental and intrinsic good is crucial in ethical
discussions:
•
o Instrumental Good: Something is considered instrumentally good if it is
valuable as a means to an end. For example, money is instrumentally good
because it can be used to purchase things that bring happiness or
satisfaction. Its value is derived from its utility in achieving other desirable
outcomes.
o Intrinsic Good: Something is intrinsically good if it is valuable in and of itself,
regardless of its utility in achieving other ends. Happiness, pleasure, and well-
being are often cited as examples of intrinsic goods because they are valued
for their own sake, not to achieve something else.
Table 1.1 offers a comparison between some of the aspects of instrumental good and
intrinsic good.
Table 1.1. Comparison of Instrumental and Intrinsic Goods
Aspect Instrumental Good Intrinsic Good
Definition valued for its utility in achieving valued for its own sake,
something else inherently worthwhile
, Purpose means to an end end in itself
Examples money, tools, education, happiness, love, well-being,
medicine beauty, persons
Dependence depends on its effectiveness in independent of other outcomes
achieving a goal or benefits
Philosophical View consequentialist ethics often deontological, virtue, and
focuses on instrumental goods relational ethics often focus
that lead to intrinsic goods primarily on intrinsic goods such
such as social harmony, as personhood, rationality,
happiness, or pleasure relationships, duty, or excellent
character
Act utilitarianism: Evaluates each action based on its specific consequences for the
individuals involved. It calculates net utility (pleasure minus pain) among the available
actions to determine the right action.
Example: During organ transplant decisions, an act utilitarian approach might lead to
prioritizing the allocation of an organ to the patient who would gain the most life years or
overall benefit from the transplant. The decision is made based on the specific consequences
for the individuals involved at that moment, with the aim of maximizing the utility of the
organ.
Rule utilitarianism: Proposes following rules that, if universally adopted, would maximize
overall utility. It addresses criticisms of act utilitarianism, whereby the unjust treatment of
someone might be said to maximize overall utility.
Example: Traffic laws, like speed limits, are established based on rule utilitarianism. The rules
are designed to maximize overall safety and minimize accidents. Even if, in a particular
instance, driving slightly over the speed limit might seem harmless, adhering to the rule
overall benefits society by reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.
Table 1.2 compares aspects of act utilitarianism with rule utilitarianism and provides some
example scenarios.
Table 1.2. Comparison of Act Utilitarianism versus Rule Utilitarianism
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Definition evaluates the consequences of evaluates the consequences of
individual actions following general rules
Decision-Making Process considers the immediate considers the long-term
outcome of a specific action benefits of adhering to rules
Exploring Ethical Frameworks and Implications 2025 Western Governors University
Technology and Ethics: Emerging Trends and Society
,• utilitarianism: best action brings the most happiness to the most people
• deontology: right or wrong based on rules, not outcomes
• virtue ethics: building good traits like honesty and kindness for right choices
• decision: choice or action to achieve something
• ethics: study of right and wrong behavior and values
• applied ethics: using moral theories to judge if specific actions are right or wrong
• bioethics: ethics related to medicine and health care issues
• desire: preference or want for something
• morality: behavior codes from society or individuals
• descriptive ethics: study of what people believe and how they act based on those
beliefs
• normative ethics: examines how we should act based on ethical principles
• philosophical argument: reasons (premises) leading to a conclusion
• emotion: feelings influencing decisions on right or wrong
• premises: reasons in a philosophical argument supporting a conclusion
• belief: a person’s perspective about how the world is; one’s acceptance of a claim one
takes to be true.
o Consequentialist
Ethics: This framework
focuses on the
outcomes or
consequences of
actions. One form is
Utilitarianism, which
suggests that the best
action is the one that
maximizes positive
outcomes for all
individuals.
Another form of
consequentialist
ethics is Mohism.
According to this view, the morality of an action is determined by how it
benefits the community (as compared to individuals). An action is morally right
if it leads to more overall good than harm.
, o Deontological Ethics: Deontological ethics, often associated with the
philosopher Immanuel Kant, emphasizes duties and rules. Rather than focusing
on the consequences, this framework argues that specific actions are
inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes. For example, telling the
truth is considered a moral duty, even if it might lead to negative
consequences. Deontologists believe that a sense of duty should always guide
our actions.
o Character-Based Ethics: Also known as Virtue Ethics, this framework
emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits or virtues, such
as honesty, courage, and compassion. Originating from Aristotle, it suggests
that a virtuous person will naturally make ethical decisions. The focus is on
being rather than doing—cultivating a moral character, which thereby leads to
right action.
o Relational Ethics: This framework highlights the significance of relationships,
intersectional identity, and the context of relational interactions. Feminist
ethics fall under this category, emphasizing empathy, care, and the
importance of personal relationships in moral decision-making. It argues that
ethical behavior arises from nurturing and maintaining healthy relationships.
Instrumental vs. Intrinsic Good
Understanding the distinction between instrumental and intrinsic good is crucial in ethical
discussions:
•
o Instrumental Good: Something is considered instrumentally good if it is
valuable as a means to an end. For example, money is instrumentally good
because it can be used to purchase things that bring happiness or
satisfaction. Its value is derived from its utility in achieving other desirable
outcomes.
o Intrinsic Good: Something is intrinsically good if it is valuable in and of itself,
regardless of its utility in achieving other ends. Happiness, pleasure, and well-
being are often cited as examples of intrinsic goods because they are valued
for their own sake, not to achieve something else.
Table 1.1 offers a comparison between some of the aspects of instrumental good and
intrinsic good.
Table 1.1. Comparison of Instrumental and Intrinsic Goods
Aspect Instrumental Good Intrinsic Good
Definition valued for its utility in achieving valued for its own sake,
something else inherently worthwhile
, Purpose means to an end end in itself
Examples money, tools, education, happiness, love, well-being,
medicine beauty, persons
Dependence depends on its effectiveness in independent of other outcomes
achieving a goal or benefits
Philosophical View consequentialist ethics often deontological, virtue, and
focuses on instrumental goods relational ethics often focus
that lead to intrinsic goods primarily on intrinsic goods such
such as social harmony, as personhood, rationality,
happiness, or pleasure relationships, duty, or excellent
character
Act utilitarianism: Evaluates each action based on its specific consequences for the
individuals involved. It calculates net utility (pleasure minus pain) among the available
actions to determine the right action.
Example: During organ transplant decisions, an act utilitarian approach might lead to
prioritizing the allocation of an organ to the patient who would gain the most life years or
overall benefit from the transplant. The decision is made based on the specific consequences
for the individuals involved at that moment, with the aim of maximizing the utility of the
organ.
Rule utilitarianism: Proposes following rules that, if universally adopted, would maximize
overall utility. It addresses criticisms of act utilitarianism, whereby the unjust treatment of
someone might be said to maximize overall utility.
Example: Traffic laws, like speed limits, are established based on rule utilitarianism. The rules
are designed to maximize overall safety and minimize accidents. Even if, in a particular
instance, driving slightly over the speed limit might seem harmless, adhering to the rule
overall benefits society by reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.
Table 1.2 compares aspects of act utilitarianism with rule utilitarianism and provides some
example scenarios.
Table 1.2. Comparison of Act Utilitarianism versus Rule Utilitarianism
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Definition evaluates the consequences of evaluates the consequences of
individual actions following general rules
Decision-Making Process considers the immediate considers the long-term
outcome of a specific action benefits of adhering to rules
