Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ethical Theory'
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1
Chew, C. A. A. M. "Aristotle's ethical theory of action." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.597593.
Abstract:
This dissertation consists of an interpretation of Aristotle’s treatment of wanting, choice and moral responsibility that focuses on action as expressive of emotion and character. It culminates in Aristotelian definitions of: what it is to act virtuously, what it is to act at all, what a virtue is, and what it is for a human being to flourish. Chapter II consists of a detailed reading of Aristotle’s EN III.2-3 analysis of prohairesis (choice, principle) and an interpretation of the ‘practical syllogism’ (MA 7, EN VII.3). It first argues that and explains how prohairesis is thoughtful wanting (boulēsis) in EN III.4 according to which what is thoughtfully wanted is what appears fine and pleasant. It then relates this definition to a distinction between what is pleasant merely because of one’s personality and what is ‘truly’ pleasant to be found in EN X.5. It thereby argues that thoughtful wanting is constituted by emotions, understood as conative states through which ways of acting thought right (wrong) appear pleasant (unpleasant) in imagination. Chapter IV argues that EN III.5 is centred on an analysis of ethical imputation that builds upon the treatment of coerced doing and doing infected by ignorance in EN III.1. Challenging the prevailing ‘ignorance of principle’ – ‘ignorance of fact’ interpretation, it develops and defends a reading according to which culpable (non-culpable) ignorance is ignorance that indicates (does not indicate) failure to apprehend the situation as virtue requires. It thereby argues that according to our practices of ethical imputation as analysed by Aristotle, acting as virtue requires without emoting as virtue requires is impossible.
2
Fraser, Veronique. "Ethical theory and ethical analysis tools in humanitarian healthcare aid." Thesis, McGill University, 2014. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=123072.
Abstract:
It is increasingly recognized that because humanitarian healthcare workers are trusted to provide support and assistance to vulnerable groups and populations, they have a fiduciary responsibility rendering it important for them to be explicit and thoughtful about how and why they make ethical choices. This thesis explores the ethics of humanitarian healthcare aid and examines how health care professionals can best engage with these issues, from the realm of ideal ethical theory, to the realm of applied ethical analysis tools. It begins with a brief introduction outlining important elements in the history, ideology and ethics of humanitarian healthcare aid. The second chapter provides an overview of how ethical theory, notably: deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics, underlies and informs humanitarian healthcare aid responses. I argue that familiarity with ethical theory improves moral clarity and enhances ethical deliberation. The realm of ideal ethical theory is at times abstract and so ethical analysis tools have been developed to assist clinicians in day-to-day ethical deliberation. Many argue that ethical analysis tools facilitate more comprehensive and systematic deliberation of ethical issues arising in a variety of healthcare contexts. However, the strengths and limitations of these tools have received little scrutiny or empirical investigation. Chapter three, provides an analysis of the strengths and limitations of analysis tools, and proposes questions for further research and development in four key areas: for what purpose is the tool developed, who is it designed for, when should tools be used, and what is the structure of the tool? I argue that responding to these questions is a requisite step if ethics analysis tools are to continue to be developed and published. Chapter four unites themes from Chapters two and three by presenting a research study investigating the usefulness of a humanitarian healthcare ethical analysis tool (HHEAT) designed to assist humanitarians in the field. Participants in this study were unanimous that the HHEAT helped ensure comprehensive and more organized ethical deliberation, and expressed a preference for a shorter, more concise tool. This study is notable in presenting one of the few attempts to empirically investigate the usefulness of an ethics analysis tool. Based on participant feedback, the HHEAT was shortened and an accompanying handbook was developed. In Chapter five, I conclude that ethical theory and applied analysis tools present mutually reinforcing approaches to ethical deliberation. When used in tandem, each has the potential to enhance ethical deliberation, analysis and justification, which are essential to humanitarian healthcare practice.On reconnaît de plus en plus que les travailleurs humanitaires, auxquels on fait confiance pour fournir soutien et assistance aux populations et groupes vulnérables, ont une responsabilité fiduciaire et qu'il est important pour eux d'être explicites et réfléchis sur le comment et le pourquoi lorsqu'ils font des choix éthiques. Cette thèse explore l'éthique de l'aide humanitaire et examine quelle est la meilleure façon de traiter de ces questions à partir du domaine de la théorie éthique idéale et du domaine de l'éthique appliquée et des outils d'analyse éthique. La thèse débute avec une brève introduction exposant des éléments importants dans l'histoire, l'idéologie et l'éthique de l'aide humanitaire. Le deuxième chapitre donne un aperçu sur la façon dont la théorie éthique, notamment, la déontologie, le conséquentialisme et l'éthique de la vertu, sous-tend et façonne les réponses humanitaires. Je soutiens qu'une connaissance de la théorie éthique améliore la clarté morale et la délibération éthique. Toutefois, le domaine de la théorie éthique idéale est parfois abstrait et des outils d'analyse éthique ont été développés pour aider les cliniciens dans la délibération éthique quotidienne. Beaucoup soutiennent que les outils d'analyse éthique facilitent une délibération plus complète et plus systématique des problèmes éthiques qui se posent dans une variété de contextes de soins. Cependant, la force et les limites de ces outils n'ont pas été examinées ou validées empiriquement. Dans le chapitre 3, une analyse des points forts et des limites des outils de l'analyse est présentée et des questions pour de futurs projets de recherche sont proposées dans quatre domaines clés: Dans quel but l'outil est-il développé? A qui est-il destiné? Quand ces outils devraient-ils être utilisés? Et quelle est la structure de l'outil? Je soutiens que la réponse à ces questions est une étape indispensable si l'on veut continuer à développer et à publier des outils d'analyse éthique. Le chapitre 4 fait le lien entre les thèmes des chapitres 2 et 3 en présentant le développement et le raffinement d'un outil d'analyse éthique humanitaire (HHEAT) conçu pour aider les travailleurs humanitaires sur le terrain. De façon unanime, les participants à cette étude ont trouvé que le HHEAT a été utile pour assurer une délibération éthique complète et mieux organisée. Ils ont exprimés une préférence pour un outil plus court, plus concis. Cette étude est remarquable car elle représente une des rares tentatives d'investigation sur l'utilité d'un outil d'analyse éthique. En réponse aux commentaires des participants, le HHEAT a été abrégé et un manuel d'accompagnement développé. Dans le chapitre 5, je conclus que l'éthique théorique et les outils d'éthique appliquée présentent des approches qui se renforcent mutuellement dans la délibération éthique. Utilisées en tandem, ces approches ont le potentiel d'améliorer la délibération éthique, l'analyse et la justification qui sont essentiels à la pratique des soins humanitaires.
3
Hamman, J. N. (Johannes Nicolaas). "Poststructural ethics and the possibility of a general ethical theory." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51883.
Abstract:
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is concerned with the possibility and characterisation of poststructural ethics and the ethics of general theories. It contains a review of selected readings on Modernity and provides a "snapshot" of an ethical system that is essentially rule based and privileges rationality. Some of the problems with such a system, such as inflexibility, tolerance based on superiority and force and the privileging of male gender is explored. It proceeds by perusing some literature on postmodernity as an open ethical system in which values are free floating and lists of rules are constantly produced and disregarded in a dizzying ethical free for all in which "anything goes". No value is considered more worthwhile than personal survival. As a starting point for reading Modernity and postmodernity together, Levinas introduces a radical perspective on ethics that can be read as a condemnation of postmodern morality. He relates an ethics in which the survival of the "other" is more important than the survival of the self. However, he does not ground the metaphysics of such a privilege in rationality or knowledge and hence does not turn it into an ethical rule, but rather, subtly shifts the responsibility for the other person to an ultimate responsibility for the Other as God. This radical responsibility is rejected by deconstruction which does not reject either postmodernity or Modernity but is an attempt to think through the limits of rule-orientated rationality, free-play and mystical metaphysics to produce an ethical awareness that has a sensitivity for the complexity of context. Through the notion of "writing", the peculiarities it displays and the objections it attracts, Derrida seeks to establish a uniquely ethical writing that is both a stable manifestation of ethics and a dynamic engagement with those subject to it. With these readings in the background the thesis attempts to provide a framework for poststructural ethics. It is an ethics based in the notion of friendship but does not ground itself in any guarantees. It re-evaluates rationality in terms of a sublime struggle for meaning and truth. This sublime struggle offers a unique perspective on political debates that strive towards responsible development for multicultural societies and also on a sociological approach to law and the ability to dispense justice without undue prejudice. The main contention of the thesis is that although poststructuralism does not suppose a grounding metaphysics in either rationality or responsibility towards God it cannot be satisfied with the self-indulgent nihilism of an "anything goes" postmodernism. Thus, it depends on the notion of a "complex system" that "self-organises" and produces limits through spontaneous connections. Through the working of deconstruction complex systems can take on a more human manifestation as friendships flourish and decay through the interaction of faces.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gemoeid met die moontlikheid en karakterisering van poststrukturele etiek en die etiek van algemene teorië. Dit bevat In geselekteerde oorsig van Moderniteit en verskaf In "kiekie" van In etiese sisteem wat essentieël op reëls gebasseer is en rationaliteit privilegieer. Sommige probleme met so In sisteem, soos byvoorbeeld onbuigsaamheid, verdraagsaamheid gegrond in superioriteit, geweld en die privilegieering van manlikheid, word ondersoek. Die studie sit voort deur sommige literatuur oor postmoderniteit as In oop etiese sisteem onder oë te neem. So In sisteem veronderstel vryvloeiende waardes en lyste van reëls wat gedurig geproduseer en geabandoneer word in In duisligwekkende etiese vryspel wat beskryf kan word as "anything goes". Geen waarde word hoër geag as persoonlike oorlewing nie. As die beginpunt van In lesing wat Moderniteit en postmoderniteit met mekaar in verband bring verskaf Levinas In radikale perspektief op etiek wat verdoemend staan teenoor die moraliteit van postmoderniteit. Hy beskryf In etiek waarin die oorlewing van die "ander" meer belangrik geag word as die oorlewing van die self. Hy grond egter nie die metafisieka van so In voorreg in rationaliteit of kennis nie, en lê dit dus nie neer as In etiese reël nie, maar verskuif eerder op subtitle wyse verantwoordelikheid vir die ander persoon na In uiteindelike verantwoordelikheid vir die Ander as God. Laasgenoemde radikale verantwoordelikheid word deur dekonstruksie verwerp in In poging om postmoderniteit en Moderniteit saam te snoer en die limiete van reël-georiënteerde rationaliteit, vry-spel en mistiese metafisieka deur te dink. Hierdeur word 'n etiese gewaarwording geproduseer wat sensitiviteit vir die kompleksiteite van konteks vertoon. Deur die nosie van "skryf', die eienaardighede en teenkanting daaraan verbonde, is Derrida op soek na die neerlegging van In unike etiese skryf wat beide In stabille manifestasie van etiek is en 'n dinamiese betrokkenheid by die wat daaraan onderhewig staan. Met hierdie leeswerk in die agtergrond poog die tesis om 'n raamwerk vir poststrukturele etiek daar te stel. Dit is In etiek wat as basis die nosie van vriendskap aanvaar sonder om enige waarborge uit te deel. Rationaliteit word gere-evalueer in terme van In sublime stryd vir betekenis en waarheid. Hierdie sublime stryd bring 'n unieke perspektief na politieke debatte wat volhoubare ontwikkeling in multikulturele samelewings ten doel het en vir In sosiologiese benadering tot die reg en regsvaardigheid. Alhoewel poststrukturele etiek nie In metanarratief veronderstel, soos die etiek van Moderniteit, nie kan dit egter ook nie tevrede wees met die destabiliserende nihilisme van 'n "anything goes" postmodernisme nie. Poststrukturele etiek steun dus swaar op die idee van 'n "komplekse sisteem" wat self-organiseer en llrniette stel deur middel van spontane konneksievorming. Deur die werking van dekonstruksie kan so In komplekse sisteem ook in meer menslike terme verwoord word as vriendskappe wat groei en vergaan in die interaksie tussen "gesigte".
4
Cooper, Thomas J. "Ethical theory and business ethics : the search for a new model." Thesis, University of Warwick, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.390031.
5
Cronin, John Daniel. "From ethical investment to investment ethics: Towards a normative theory of investment ethics." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2004. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/15979/1/John_Cronin_Thesis.pdf.
Abstract:
This study explores the contemporary practice of Ethical and Socially Responsible Investment and concludes that it is based on an ad hoc construct of empirically derived principles, driven mainly by the commercial self-interest of large financial institutions and fund managers. It explores the relationship between investment and morality, to posit a background theory of investment ethics. The study then proposes
a move away from the narrow focus of ethical investment to a broader concern for investment ethics. The study introduces the discipline of investment ethics and examines the criteria that form the basis of morality in investment decisions. The resultant theory is intended to be of practical significance in the business and
investment domains and to assist potential investors to evaluate investment opportunities in the context of a consistent set of substantive normative ethical principles.
6
Cronin, John Daniel. "From ethical investment to investment ethics: Towards a normative theory of investment ethics." Queensland University of Technology, 2004. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/15979/.
Abstract:
This study explores the contemporary practice of Ethical and Socially Responsible Investment and concludes that it is based on an ad hoc construct of empirically derived principles, driven mainly by the commercial self-interest of large financial institutions and fund managers. It explores the relationship between investment and morality, to posit a background theory of investment ethics. The study then proposes a move away from the narrow focus of ethical investment to a broader concern for investment ethics. The study introduces the discipline of investment ethics and examines the criteria that form the basis of morality in investment decisions. The resultant theory is intended to be of practical significance in the business and investment domains and to assist potential investors to evaluate investment opportunities in the context of a consistent set of substantive normative ethical principles.
7
O'Connor, John Daniel. "Groundwork for a theoretically ambitious and distinctively virtue ethical theory : constitutivist virtue ethics." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/25708.
Abstract:
In this thesis I address two related and rarely asked questions: (i) Is a distinctively virtue ethical theory that is theoretically ambitious possible? (ii) If such a theory is possible, and such a theory is also a credible theory in its own right, then what might such a theory look like? By ‘distinctively virtue ethical,’ I mean a theory in which the virtues and other aretaic concepts are foundational, and which does not collapse into forms of other ethical approaches, such as consequentialism and deontology. By ‘theoretically ambitious,’ I mean a systematic theory that seeks to fulfil all the principal aims of theories of practical reason: to explain, justify, prescribe and to guide action. In this thesis I argue that a distinctively virtue ethical theory that is theoretically ambitious is possible. I do this by working out what such a theory might look like. In developing the theory, I also make a case that the theory is credible and attractive in its own right. In Chapter 1 I look at what makes an ethical theory distinctively virtue ethical. I also argue for a eudaimonic conception of virtue ethics, and determine a number of constraints on such a theory if it is to be distinctively virtue ethical. In Chapter 2 I look at what a more precisely characterised distinctively virtue ethical theory that is theoretically ambitious might look like. I argue in favour of using some ideas derived from Plato. A serious problem remains: the virtue ethical theory I develop in Chapter 2 is unable to give adequate action-guidance, a requirement for the theory to be theoretically ambitious. In Chapter 3 I introduce the central strategy of the thesis: to combine the virtue ethical theory arrived at in Chapter 2 with a form of ethical constitutivism in order to arrive at a distinctively virtue ethical theory that is theoretically ambitious, not least one able to give adequate action-guidance. Chapter 3 is concerned primarily with developing a form of ethical constitutivism suitable for combining with virtue ethics. The chapter is also concerned with examining objections to ethical constitutivism and diagnosing what is required to overcome these objections. In Chapter 4 I combine the virtue ethical theory favoured in Chapter 2 with the form of ethical constitutivism developed in Chapter 3 to form a combined theory. I call this theory: ‘constitutivist virtue ethics.’ I present what the theory involves, and I argue that although the theory incorporates elements from ethical constitutivism, it merits being considered distinctively virtue ethical. I also argue that constitutivist virtue ethics overcomes the objections that, as shown in Chapter 3, ethical constitutivism on its own is unable to overcome. Constitutivist virtue ethics therefore holds out the attractive prospect of a theory incorporating both the advantages of virtue ethics and some of the best of what ethical constitutivism has to offer. In Chapter 5 I address the biggest challenge to constitutivist virtue ethics being regarded as a theoretically ambitious theory: to be able to provide adequate action-guidance. To this end, I present an action-guidance procedure of eight action-guidance principles derived from constitutivist virtue ethics. I then argue that the action-guidance procedure can provide adequate action-guidance, even when faced with a difficult test case. I also examine two objections to the action-guidance procedure, and I argue that these can be overcome. I finish the thesis by considering some topics from the literature relevant to constitutivist virtue ethics, and which might be the basis for further work.
8
Murray, Malcolm. "Occurrent Contractarianism: A Preference-Based Ethical Theory." Thesis, University of Waterloo, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/757.
Abstract:
There is a problem within contractarian ethics that I wish to resolve. It concerns individualpreferences. Contractarianism holds that morality, properly conceived, can satisfy individualpreferences and interests better than amorality or immorality. W hat is unclear, however, iswhether these preferences are those individuals actually hold or those that they should hold. The goal of my thesis is to investigate this question. I introduce a version of contractarian ethicsthat relies on ind ividual preferences in a manner more stringent than has been in the literatureto date.
9
Boaheng, Paul B. "Skepticism and practical reasoning in Hume's ethical theory." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ51302.pdf.
10
Davis, Gordon F. "Transcendental arguments and the foundations of ethical theory." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.431048.
11
Sansbury, George Ernest, and G. Sansbury@latrobe edu au. "The employment relationship and integrated theory." La Trobe University. School of Business, 2004. http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au./thesis/public/adt-LTU20060427.125729.
Abstract:
This research falls within the field of normative business ethics.
Its aim is to examine the moral nature of the employment relationship in western democracies by examining the liberal, democratic justifications that are normally advanced for its probity. Its concern is to challenge the notion that the employment relationship is in conformity with these liberal democratic values. Thus, the research is an exercise in the examination of the application of the liberal, democratic tradition to the social institution of employment.
Thus research examines areas of dissonance between the political relationship of employee � employer and the dominant values of the liberal tradition found elsewhere in western democracies.
The research firstly identifies the key moral characteristics of the employment relationship in private, capitalist organisations. This is derived from a consideration of the development historically, of the employment relationship, with acknowledgement of the combined influences of statute, common law, contract law and custom in forming the current employee relationship.
Secondly, the research identifies the justificatory arguments from the liberal tradition that are normally advanced in support of the employment relationship�s moral probity. These include notions of rights deriving from private property, the separation of social life into public and private spheres and the application of contract law to employment.
Thirdly, the research examines these arguments for their moral probity. Specifically, this involves an examination of the arguments regarding the private property status of employing organisations, the application of contract law to employment, the moral characteristics of the master and servant relationship as a basis for employment and the relevance of democratic values within employment.
As an additional perspective, the literature on human needs is reviewed as a source, outside of the liberal tradition, for a basis upon which to outline the moral requirements of human relationships to work.
12
Kreft, Ivo R. "Bernard Williams on ethical theory, a study of Bernard Williams' critique of ethical theory and its implications for doing moral philosophy." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq28213.pdf.
13
Elstein, Daniel Yuri. "Prescriptions and universalizability : a defence of Harean ethical theory." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2014. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/261008.
Abstract:
R.M. Hare had an ambitious scheme of providing a unified account of meta-ethics and normative ethics by combining expressivism with Kantianism and utilitarianism. The project of this thesis is to defend Hare’s theory in its most ambitious form. This means not just showing how the expressivist, Kantian and utilitarian elements are consistent, or that the three are each correct, but also that they are interdependent. The only defensible form of expressivism is Kantian; the only defensible Kantian theory is both expressivist and utilitarian; the only defensible utilitarianism is Kantian. The thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 aims to show how expressivism can provide a coherent account of moral judgement and discourse. The argument for expressivism draws on Hare’s thought that the main error of moral realism is to think of moral objectivity as requiring objects, moral properties which are really there in the world. It is shown, using an argument based on the Euthyphro and the Open Question Argument that realism is untenable because it makes this mistake, and this clears the path to expressivism. Chapter 2 is a full account of the issues surrounding the Frege-Geach problem (often pressed against Hare), showing how it can be solved and how exactly the expressivist’s embrace of minimalism about truth interacts with the solution to the Frege-Geach Problem. I include an explanation of how the expressivist is able to solve the most threatening version of the problem: Schroeder’s discussion of negation. Chapter 3 argues for the connection between expressivism and Kantianism. The argument (roughly following Korsgaard) is that Humean versions of expressivism run into a sceptical challenge of normative regress. Kant employed a transcendental argument to resolve this regress, deriving his Formula of Universal Law from the Categorical Imperative. This argument defended with expressivism playing a crucial role. This chapter thus explains how Hare is entitled to universalizability in a way that avoids the shmoralising objection: it is not justified merely by being derived from our moral concepts but rather from our inescapable nature as agents. Chapter 4 illuminates the other connection, between Kantianism and utilitarianism. The largest part of the chapter is spent defending Hare’s argument from universalizability to utilitarianism. Doing so shows how Hare’s utilitarianism depends on his Kantianism, and so also how it indirectly depends on his utilitarianism. I then go on to defend Hare’s distinctive two-level version of utilitarianism, especially against the objections of Bernard Williams. It is also argued that various difficulties for utilitarianism – utility monsters, interpersonal comparison, Korsgaard’s objections – can be met by a form of utilitarianism like Hare’s, which is Kantian, and thus that such a form of utilitarianism is indeed the most defensible.
14
Kinggard, Jared J. "Rethinking Ethical Naturalism: The Implications of Developmental Systems Theory." Scholar Commons, 2010. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3651.
Abstract:
Biological research has the capacity to inform ethical discussions. There are numerous questions about the nature of sexual orientation, intelligence, gender identity, etc., and many of these questions are commonly approached with the benefit of implicit or explicit biological commitments. The answers to these sorts of questions can have a powerful impact on social, ethical, and political positions. In this project I examine the prospect of naturalizing ethics under the umbrella of developmental systems theory (DST). If one is committed to DST, then those ideas involved in DST that steer biological research will also have implications for ethics. There has been much debate over whether certain human traits or attributes are the consequence of nature or nurture. This kind of question tends to be articulated in dichotomous terms where the focal point of the discussion is over which opposing causal mechanism asserts the most power over the development of these attributes. The debate places particular importance on such distinctions as that between gene and environment, and biology and culture. DST seeks to dismiss such dichotomous accounts. In this sense, DST is an attempt to do biology without these dichotomies. In the process, DST articulates a reconceptualized notion of "the natural." I am interested in how DST’s reconceptualization of the natural can inform a naturalistic approach to ethics. Thus, the aim of this project is to examine the ramifications of taking DST as a guiding principle in the naturalization of ethics.
15
Overhoff, Jürgen. "Hobbes's theory of volition : scientific premisses and ethical consequences." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1997. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/272497.
16
Ward, Arthur S. "Against Natural Teleology and its Application in Ethical Theory." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1357563361.
17
Leggett, Andrew S. "Good natured : a discussion of the relationship between human nature and the good life." Thesis, University of Reading, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.339974.
18
Adair, David Francis, and n/a. "'Queer Theory': Intellectual and Ethical Milieux of 1990s Sexual Dissidence." Griffith University. School of Arts, Media and Culture, 2003. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20041014.102015.
Abstract:
The main problem addressed by this thesis is the question of how to assess the politics and the cultural effects and implications of 'Queer Theory' during the period of the 1990s. 'Queer' was invoked in numerous institutions, spaces, and cultural practices over this period, and yet queer-identified theorists and many of their critics have often assumed that this term refers to a relatively unified object. I ask if it is appropriate to treat these 'queer' occasions in this manner, and whether this 'dispersed' object requires a different approach: one that sets out to describe means and routes by which it became possible and desirable to pose 'queer' problems across so many diverse sites and practices. In addition, if there are discernible patterns to these distributed cultural capacities and inclinations, what political significance do they have? These questions inform my account of the career of 'Queer Theory' during the 1990s. A post-humanist approach to these matters is not premised on an essential or a socially constituted general category of 'subjectivity'. Instead, it addresses 'Queer Theory' as a problem, without automatically critiquing it; it is sceptical of the perfectionist pulsion that has treated this critical practice as either a good or a bad object: dual roles that are mandated by the logic of dialectical criticism. These roles are exemplified by the frequent relegation of 'queer' in the relevant literature to the 'innately political' or the 'merely aesthetic'. In this thesis I identify ethical, cultural, and political yields of these conventional choices and the modes of problematisation in which they operate; I positively redescribe them as aesthetico-political practices. My approach therefore not only deviates from the 'good' or 'bad' critical options, but also from a third option: the equally rationalist response of assuming that 'Queer Theory' is fundamentally a problem of under-theorisation.
19
Cross, Katharine L. "On the structure, status and uses of Aristotle's ethical theory." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1991. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.316934.
20
Robinson, S. J. "R.H. Tawney's theory of equality : a theological and ethical analysis." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.661310.
Abstract:
The first part of this thesis sets out the meaning and justification of equality in Tawney's writing (chapters one and two). The complex view of equality which this uncovers is seen to withstand the majority of ethical and theological criticisms (chapter three), and to be distinctive in relation to Christian and Socialist views (chapter four). Tawney's view is then set in a wider context. First, the influence of this view of equality is examined, both in theological and socialist writers. In this, it is argued that whilst there is a broad evidence of a Tawney tradition, there are important differences in terms of equality, in the writers which followed Tawney. These involve both fundamental differences and modifications or developments. Secondly, Tawney's view is compared to recent views of both marginal and global equality. It is argued that the meaning and justification of equality as seen from Tawney's writings is more compelling than such views. The thesis concludes that despite some flaws in Tawney's view of equality, it has an important contribution to make, both to the theology and philosophy of equality, and that the Christian concept of equality should be more rigorously developed and defended, both at a theoretical and practical level.
21
Sprouse, Fay Simpson. "School district superintendents' response to ethical dilemmas a grounded theory /." Connect to this title online, 2009. http://etd.lib.clemson.edu/documents/1263396793/.
22
Glazer, Walter Philip. "The Justificatory Role of Habit in Hegel's Theory of Ethical Life." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2010. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/philosophy_theses/64.
Abstract:
Recent scholarship on Hegel has employed the Wittgensteinian concept of a "form of life" in order to explain how sociality shapes and determines the reflective practices of self-conscious individuals. However, few of these scholars have considered how the non-reflective aspects of inhabiting a form of life- especially the abilities to form habits and to have feelings- contribute to the reflective aspects. In this thesis I argue that this oversight leads to serious exegetical and philosophical problems for making sense of Hegel's theory of ethical life. Not only does Hegel regard habit and feeling as playing a necessary role in the justification of our reflective practices, but he is right to do so, since, were he not to consider these factors, he could not account for how any of our moral claims could be justified.
23
George, David Brian. "The stoic poet Lucan : Lucan's Bellum Civile and stoic ethical theory /." The Ohio State University, 1985. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487260531954394.
24
Watt, Stephen John. "Aristotle's view of human nature as a basis for ethical theory." Thesis, n.p, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/.
25
Hyung, Daejo. "Case study : the ethical dilemma of autobiographical documentary - theory and practice." Thesis, Royal Holloway, University of London, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500065.
26
Hackett, James Edward. "Scheler's Phenomenological Ontology of Value: Implications and Reflections for Ethical Theory." OpenSIUC, 2013. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/679.
Abstract:
AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF J. Edward Hackett, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Philosophy, presented on December 6, 2012 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: Scheler's Phenomenological Ontology of Value: Implications and Reflections for Ethical Theory MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Kenneth W. Stikkers My dissertation provides the first comprehensive account of what values are in Max Scheler's Formalism in Ethics (Formalism hereafter). As a phenomenologist, Scheler did not attempt to invent a new ontological language to describe value experience clearly as Heidegger invented for his fundamental ontology of Dasein. In so doing, Scheler's phenomenological descriptions often use metaphysically rich language and in so doing, Scheler generates ambiguity surrounding what he most sought to make clear, value. To remedy this confusion, I argue that Scheler's concept of Aktsein can supply an ontological understanding of value given the dearth of a clear ontological explanation of value in his phenomenological period culminating in the Formalism. This inquiry is divided into three chapters. In Chapter 1, I explain the central concepts in his phenomenology of value at root in the Formalism. I both explain and reveal the central ambiguities in the Formalism. For the most part, Chapter 1 is expository and develops an interpretation of the central ambiguities in Scheler's phenomenology of value. In Chapter 2, I problematize these central ambiguities and take note of when and where phenomenology collapses into ontology. This transition can best be made clear in his Idealismus und Realismus essays where Scheler explicates the structure of being-in-an-act at the very moment he "ontologizes" phenomenology. In addition to that moment in this work, I make analogies to Heidegger's phenomenology as a way into ontology. By making specific analogies to being-in-an-act and being-in-the-world, I show how the similar ontological tendencies in Heidegger provide us with a way to regard Scheler's Aktsein. In making this analogy, I do not reduce Scheler's phenomenological ontology to Heidegger, but instead put them into dialogue with each other revealing the solution of Scheler's ontology of value is realized in the act-intentionality of love. When I draw my conclusions both from the analysis of the Idealismus und Realismus essays and Heidegger, I label Scheler's ontological account of value: participatory realism. In Chapter 3, participatory realism is, then, put into contact with philosophers from the emotivist tradition. I define the emotivist tradition to include a noncognitivist interpretation of David Hume, A. J. Ayer and C. L. Stevenson. While I could have been content to seek out a solution to this ambiguity in Scheler's work and conclude the merits of my interpretation, I am a firm believer in Scheler's position as a solution to the problem of value ontology. As such, participatory realism's uniqueness and merit are better served by putting it into contact with another decided alternative. Given that the analytic tradition had supplied emotivism as a view that connects the emotions with value-experience, it seemed only fitting that Scheler could call into question a dominant answer to value ontology and further clarify the resources Scheler brings to bear on the problem itself.
27
Fan, Lu. "Existential Journalism: Ethical Theory for Citizen Journalists on Weibo in China." OpenSIUC, 2015. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1736.
Abstract:
As one of the most popular social media platforms in China, Sina Weibo has created an environment for the Chinese people to share opinions and post information on events they have witnessed. Thus, Weibo users can be citizen journalists, though most of them have played the role unconsciously. Although Weibo has existed for about six years, citizen journalism is still new to most Chinese people. Some scholars have studied Weibo from the perspective of public opinion or better governance rather than from its ethical demands and influence. This paper discusses the ethical problems of citizen journalism that arose in three case studies where Weibo posts were immediate sources of news and information on disasters and were considered important by mainstream media and the public, but where the posts also provided false information. In addition, a survey found that most Chinese respondents had posted news or information on Weibo, but very few consider themselves citizen journalists. Surprisingly, non-journalists are no more likely to trust citizen journalism than are journalists. Non-journalists are getting more news from citizen journalism on Weibo about national disasters, but they put more trust and credibility in mainstream media. Respondents thought witnessing events and quickly reporting on them were the biggest advantages of citizen journalists, while the biggest problems were bias, emotional reports, rumor and invasion of privacy. About two-thirds of respondents think self-restraint is the best way to handle ethical problems resulting from citizen journalists, but about half favor more legislation. In a striking difference from Western expectations, a relatively small percentage of Chinese respondents think independence from the government is an important journalistic value. Finally, the paper concludes that the public sphere concept is relevant in China in the wake economic reforms and the advent of social media. And it argues that the theory of existential journalism may offer an ethical guide for China’s citizen journalists by emphasizing both freedom and personal responsibility. Finally it suggests that mainstream media, journalists and media scholars play the main role of promoting journalistic ethical values on Weibo.
28
Booth, Lalita D. "ASccounting ethics and the AICPA code of professional conduct : a view through the lens of ethical theory." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2009. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/1243.
Abstract:
This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.Bachelors
Business Administration
Accounting
29
Farrell, Joseph Michael. "DERIVING "OUGHT FROM "IS": HANS JONAS AND THE REVIVAL OF A TELEOLOGICAL ETHICAL THEORY." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2010. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/105210.
Abstract:
PhilosophyPh.D.
Hans Jonas ranks among a small but expanding group of recent ethicists who have argued that a robust ethical theory must account for human ontological considerations. He is among those who make claims that such considerations issue from biological foundations. In The Phenomenon of Life, he reclaims elements of the Aristotelian biological ontology of the soul while adjusting this ontology to the theory of evolution. The first problem with Aristotelian biological ontology, one suffering from essentialism, is the confrontation with the biological flux of species, presented in the Darwinian theory of natural selection. The dissertation explains that Jonas was correct in his return to Aristotle, insofar as there are elements of human beings that are natural and universal. The task is to follow Jonas by constructing a robust philosophical anthropology. Jonas's philosophical anthropology understands human beings as nature's most magnificent and advanced examples of what he calls "needful freedom." Jonas's argument includes a refutation of reductive materialism and epiphenomenalism, one that leaves the possibilities of the human soul/consciousness and freedom in at least as good a position as offered by Kant. His argument is also an attempt to rescue ontology, human nature, and ethics from the relativism of Heideggerian thought. He does this by replacing Heidegger's concept of "thrown projection" with an idea of "projection" based on biological ontology. With this ontological foundation in place, Jonas's "ethics of the future" sees human beings as the caretakers not only of themselves but of the totality of nature and not simply for anthropocentric reasons. Jonas's philosophical anthropology was incomplete insofar as it lacked an accounting of sexual reproduction, a key element for Jonas's ethical theory where political responsibility is modeled after parenthood. After offering a critique of Jonas's incomplete philosophical anthropology and the gap it leaves for his ethical theory, this dissertation shows that the value of his contribution remains intact.
Temple University--Theses
30
Jones, Kevin B. "Ethical Insights of Early 21st-Century Corporate Leaders." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/413.
Abstract:
From 2001 to 2010, a lack of documented standards within ethics programs inhibited decision making, management practices, and corporate strategies for corporate leaders in the United States. Seminal theories in transformational, charismatic, servant, spiritual, and ethical leadership formed the conceptual framework for this phenomenological study, whose intent was to explore how senior leaders of Fortune 500 companies in Washington, DC integrated ethics into daily business decisions and the role in organizational performance. A convenience sample of 20 Fortune 500 leaders participated in face-to-face semistructured interviews to explore the assessment, definition, and documentation of various ethical standards in the company; the different mechanisms for ensuring ethical standards influenced decision making; and whether a senior leader's moral code influences the development of a code of ethics, ethical standards, or organizational culture. Using Saldana's coding process as an exemplar, 6 themes emerged from this investigation: ethical standards, organizational culture, ethics training, role modeling, values, and moral dilemmas. Findings revealed the need for scenario-based ethical training to guide senior leaders through dilemma-oriented problems. Implications for positive social change include benchmarks for ethical integration successes in business strategy that improve corporate social responsibility and change hiring practices to help build ethical corporate cultures.
31
Abu-Shaqra, Baha. "Technoethics and Organizing: Exploring Ethical Hacking within a Canadian University." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/32266.
Abstract:
Ethical hacking is one important information security risk management strategy business and academic organizations use to protect their information assets from the growing threat of hackers. Most published books on ethical hacking have focused on its technical applications in risk assessment practices. This thesis addressed a gap within the organizational communication literature on ethical hacking. Taking a qualitative exploratory case study approach, the thesis paired technoethical inquiry theory with Karl Weick’s sensemaking model to explore ethical hacking in a Canadian university. In-depth interviews with key stakeholder groups and a document review were conducted. Guided by the Technoethical Inquiry Decision-making Grid (TEI-DMG), a qualitative framework for use in technological assessment, findings pointed to the need to expand the communicative and social considerations involved in decision making about ethical hacking practices. Guided by Weick’s theory, findings pointed to security awareness training for increasing sensemaking opportunities and reducing equivocality in the information environment.
32
Arnaud, Anke. "A NEW THEORY AND MEASURE OF ETHICAL WORK CLIMATE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS MODEL (PPM) AND THE ETHICAL CLIMATE INDEX (ECI)." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2384.
Abstract:
ABSTRACT With this dissertation I developed a new theory and measure of ethical work climate (EWC). Currently, there exists one dominant theory and measure of EWC developed by Victor and Cullen (1988, 1987). Even though researchers have identified problems with this theory, such as inconsistencies with regard to its limited theoretical scope and troubling psychometric properties, it is the most widely utilized framework for conceptualizing and testing EWC. Therefore, I propose to develop an improved theory and measure of EWC, one capable of addressing some of the principle shortcomings of earlier efforts. Building on Rest's (1986, 1979) "Four-Component" model of individual-level ethical decision-making and behavior, I specify four dimensions of EWC necessary for the emergence of ethical behavior: collective moral sensitivity, collective moral judgment, collective moral motivation, and collective moral character. I developed a multidimensional instrument capable of capturing each of these dimensions at the climate level. I anticipate that this theory and instrument will allow researchers to understand EWCs and their impact on attitudes and behaviors more effectively than previous approaches. Chapter 1 reviews the organizational climate and culture literatures, so as to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organizational climate construct in general and how it differs from organizational culture in particular. Chapter 2 includes a review and evaluation the EWC literature. This helped to identify opportunities and suggestions for a new theory and measure of EWC. Chapter 3 describes the development of the new theory of EWCs, the Psychological Process Model, with propositions for future research. Chapter 4 informs about the development of the Ethical Climate Index, the measure used to assess the new theory of EWCs. It describes 3 studies that were used to construct the Ethical Climate Index to measure the ethical work climate dimensions of collective moral sensitivity (12-items), collective moral judgment (10-items), collective moral motivation (8-items), and collective moral character (6-items). Study 1 and 2 resulted in parsimonious and reliable scales for each one of the four dimensions. Results of the 3rd study support convergent and discriminant validity for each one of the scales and suggest that the ECI is a valid and reliable predictor of ethical and unethical behavior. Implications and suggestions for the use of this measure in future research is discussed.Ph.D.
Department of Management
Business Administration
Business Administration: Ph.D.
33
Murphy, Kayla Christine. "Ethical crisis communication on social media| Combining situational crisis communication theory, stakeholder theory, & Kant's categorical imperatives." Thesis, Gonzaga University, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1600336.
Abstract:
This guide was created to serve as a tool for crisis communications to assist in crafting ethical responses to crises using social media as the primary communications channel. The guide combines Stakeholder Theory (Freeman, 1984)—a management theory that focuses on the importance of different groups of people, not just shareholders—with Situational Crisis Communication (Coombs, 2007). The guide also adheres to two of Kant’s Categorical Imperatives as the ethical basis and marker. To create the guide, the author relied on archival, or documentary, research to provide the background information and theory to inform the creation of the guide. The guide is broken up into four parts—an overview of crisis communication, pre-crisis planning, active crisis communication, and post-crisis communication/reputation rebuilding. The guide is meant to be used as a tool, and is not an exhaustive how-to for handling a crisis.
34
Otang, Arrey Dorothy, and Rukhsana Dharamsee. "Screening the leaders ethical and unethical behavior against the corporate citizen theory." Thesis, Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-34382.
Abstract:
Corporate citizenship is a debatable topic, according to many authors corporate citizenship is equivalent to corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and business ethics. Therefore, we have explained all the four theories in order to equip our reader with the subject in concern. This topic is of growing concern taking the evolutions of the subject, the previous and ongoing scandals into consideration. The paper will present an overview of the concept of Corporate Citizenship and its alliances and provides the readers with different definitions of the above mentioned concept. We explained the relation between Corporate Citizenship (CC) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We shall use both the terms CC and CRS interchangeably. After going through the literature we felt that there was not enough written about the leader’s role with regards to the ideology of Corporate Citizenship. Therefore, we took the opportunity and used these concepts to screen Steve Job the CEO of apple against the norms of corporate citizenship. Our choice of topic was also motivated by Fortune Magazine 2008-2009 edition. We used Explorative study to fill our research gap by framing very general and broad research questions. A qualitative study was conducted with fifty (50) people from Umeå – Sweden. Our interviewees were mostly students from university and one interview was conducted from the IT head of a public organization from Umeå Sweden. Defying the theoretical concepts we used, we concluded that the consumers we interviewed embrace highly about the concepts of Corporate Citizenship but in practice, they did not bother to take these concepts into consideration before buying the product
35
Bell, Derek Robert. "The metaethical and ethical basis of political theory : a dual standpoint approach." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.297547.
36
Doran, C. E. "Ethical codes of conduct : theory and application in small and medium businesses." Thesis, University of Salford, 2014. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/32886/.
Abstract:
Organisational ethical codes of conduct have come into prominence since the millennium. However, the literature has focused predominantly on these codes in the setting of large organisations. This thesis explores ethical codes of conduct in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in the UK. The aim of the research investigation was to explore and examine the way in which SMEs adopt ethical codes of conduct and how these are created, implemented and realised throughout the organisation. This research adopted a Grounded Theory approach in order to develop a conceptual framework whereby eleven themes were identified from the literature and previous research. These themes are the nucleous of a conceptual framework and include a number of associated factors leading to the formulation of five research questions. In order to investigate the research questions a mixed-methods approach was adopted thereby providing an explanatory sequential data collection and analysis. The data collection process involved eighty-four SME owner-managers taking part in a survey, which was of a quantitative nature, covering topics related to the prevalence and engagement of ethical codes of conduct. Vignette questions featured as part of the survey for the purpose of response validity and reliability. The analysis and interpretation of the survey findings led to the development of a series of semi-structured interview questions with the view that a qualitative approach would provide far richer information and scope to cover the eleven themes. Five SMEs agreed to participate in the interview investigation, which included individuals at Managing Director, Middle Management and employee levels. In total, fifteen interviews were undertaken, providing valuable data. The final analysis identified that the prevalence of codes of conduct in SMEs is far higher than indicated in the literature. However, areas of measurement, monitoring and effectiveness of codes of conduct were somewhat lacking. This enabled the researcher to develop and construct a framework, which SMEs can use to assess their level of engagement in ethical codes of conduct. A further contribution was the development and evaluation of twenty-two emerging outcomes based on the eleven themes.
37
Khaleel, Fawad. "Epistemological crisis in ethical governance and constructing a new Islamic episteme as an ethical theory : a case of institution of hisbah." Thesis, Durham University, 2016. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12123/.
Abstract:
The research presented in this thesis explores the governance within Islamic thought in the case of the institution of hisbah as well as exploring the episteme that is the cause of the recognised and unrecognised incoherencies and inconsistencies in the theories, regulations, and laws associated to the institution of hisbah. The analysis is based on conducting an epistemological examination in moral philosophical dialect in relation to the historical regulative institution of hisbah. Institution of hisbah constitutes the focus of this research, because this institution was politically structured, theologically positioned and theoretically entrusted to maintain public law and order, with the objective of supervising the behaviour in society and market from an Islamic perspective by using Islamic legal theories within its own theoretical framework with the aim of subscribing good and forbidding evil. The analysis presented found that the institution of hisbah was subject to continuous institutional failures throughout its history. In advancing the analysis, the research deconstructs the theoretical framework upon which the institution of hisbah located its operations for the moral governance of the market and the society. The deconstruction of theoretical frameworks point to the use of Islamic legal theory and juristic subjectivity for judging the moral conduct of activities as the root cause of the problem. The study further deconstructed the Islamic legal theory along side exploring for the alternative episteme within the broader view of Islamic thought, given the diversity of philosophical standpoints on good and evil within Islamic discourse. However, the result of this exploration suggests that epistemological crisis embodies the whole of Islamic tradition, which pave the way to a rise in crisis in morality and crisis in legitimacy within the tradition, which resulted in institutional failures, such as the ones witnessed in the operations of institution of hisbah. The study further discovers that consequent to the crisis in the Islamic tradition, the key questions on good and evil, within the realm of governance can no longer be settled by using the historically established tradition’s epistemological sources, because within the current settings of tradition, there is insufficient or no method of enquiry, form of argumentation and episteme that can address the crises, or through which a solution for the crises can be derived. By using MacIntyre’s work as a conceptual structure, this research attempts to construct a new epistemological source that may address the crises by specifying a model justified through model-dependent realism with the objective of creating a new point of orientation through which reality and dichotomy of good and evil can be objectively understood, whilst safeguarding the life form of the fabric of belief that is central to the traditional Islamic thought. Such episteme can then be used as an ethical theory by the institution of hisbah for judging the moral conduct of activities in the market and society. The new episteme is constructed, while preserving the tradition’s consequential essence. The consequential essence is inferred down to morality based on objectiveness and universality, and away from public choice, along with the notion of survival as episteme for philosophical perspective and theological stance. The consequential essence of tradition is maintained by using objectivist ethics and environmental sustainability within the outlines of classic theories on sovereignty of internal and external realm, as a foundational framework to construct the proposed model of ‘objective subjectivism’ as a theory of normative ethics. This proposed episteme as an Islamic ethical theory asserts that standard of value is life and measure of value and purpose of life is sustainability, and through this notion good and evil can be objectively distinguished for each realm, and therefore institutionally subscribed or prohibited for that realm, thus providing a workable framework for the operations of hisbah. As a research methodology and model construction process, the research presented in this research utilises discursive reasoning to conduct an epistemological enquiry based on critical discourse analysis, which is ontologically justified by model-dependent realism and epistemologically framed under consequentialism.
38
Gurland-Blaker, Avram. "Ethical Life and Ontology in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/214771.
Abstract:
PhilosophyPh.D.
I develop a connection between Hegel's account of Ethical Life (Sittlichkeit) and his ontology, arguing that Ethical Life draws out some of the more intuitive and subtle sides of Hegel's ontology on the one hand, and some of its more ambitious and challenging aspects on the other. Ethical Life, for Hegel, signifies our lived, normative, concrete social reality; my central claim is that Hegel uses this account to illustrate (and support) some of his key ontological convictions. I begin by showing how Ethical Life figures centrally in Hegel's attempt to ontologically prioritize intelligibility. Chapter One is devoted to Hegel's case for this ontological priority: essentially, the argument is that we ought to accept (and implicitly already do accept) the adequacy of thought to being, and that this adequacy entails that the object in its fully experienceable multilayered depth is its fundamentally "real" form. I then argue, in Chapter Two, that Ethical Life develops an account of the Self-World relation better able to accommodate a world of such intelligible objects: Ethical Life premises itself on "Self-World mutual-constitution," where Self and World each are what they are in virtue of the greater relation between them. This integrated relationship, this greater whole, becomes the ground on and out of which such intelligible objects can emerge, develop, and sustain themselves. The dissertation's second half further defines key strands of Hegel's ontology, such as the demand that a philosophically viable ontological model be a wholly self-contained and self-explanatory, self-supporting and self-determining, intelligibility- and process-oriented totalistic whole. This demand comes out, for example, in Hegel's critique of Kant, which is the topic of Chapter Three. There, I argue that Hegel charges Kant with an ontological conservatism, with retaining "pure" forms of subjectivity and objectivity, the possibility of which had been made questionable by the transcendental turn. Hegel instead suggests that we drop such problematic notions as Things-in-themselves or Pure Concepts of the Understanding, opting instead to simply recast the experienced world as conceptually determined appearances per se. The conceptual self-determination of appearances, meanwhile, is something Hegel will associate with his notion of Reason, and in Chapters Four and Five, I consider the relation of Ethical Life to this notion of Reason. Hegel characterizes Ethical Life as "actual Reason," and I argue in Chapter Four that the currently prevalent, non-metaphysical readings of Hegel's social thought (what I call the rational justifiability reading) are incomplete to the extent that they fail to adequately integrate into their account the fact that Reason, for Hegel, is (among other things) an ontologically operative principle. Hegel identifies Reason with the experienced world's conceptual self-determination, or with the intelligible framework which structures, animates, and stabilizes the experienced world. This identification is essential to Hegel, in that it methodologically opens up the possibility of developing an account that not only can be intellectually identified with the experienced world, but can be directly, experientially recognized in (or as) the experienced world. In Chapter Five, I argue that Ethical Life plays a key role here by offering an account --even an illustration-- of Reason in its operation as the experienced world's conceptual self-determination. Custom and Fate, two concepts encountered in Ethical Life, portray an uncomprehending intuition of the experienced world's conceptual self-determination in the moment of its concrete operation; the "internal" experience of this process described in Ethical Life also displays how intelligible principles can immanently sustain and determine the experienced world. Ethical Life, I ultimately argue, brings Hegel's ontology down to earth, so to speak. Through Ethical Life, we come to see that a number of Hegel's less-familiar and more seemingly foreboding claims can be associated with recognizable phenomena, or even identified with the experienced world. Yet, simultaneously, recognizing this connection helps us appreciate the ambition of Hegel's challenge to us to reconsider our presuppositions: we experience reality to be richly complex yet intelligibly ordered --Hegel's ontology asks us now to take seriously the implications of the possibility of our experience's being a veritable revelation of reality.
Temple University--Theses
39
Burkette, Jerry W. Jr. "What Does Theism Add to Ethical Naturalism?" Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/83836.
Abstract:
Recent literature seems to have opened up space for naturalistic theistic metaethics
in a contemporary context, as proponents of divine command theories have tended
to be restricted to either supernatural or theistic non-natural theories within existing
taxonomies of normative theory. While perhaps encouraging for theists, would theism
add anything substantive to theories of ethical naturalism? In this paper, I examine this
question. I argue that theistic naturalism appears to incur certain objections as well as
provide a plausible and explanatory constraint on content for theories of ethical
naturalism. As a result, a corresponding challenge to non-theistic variants is raised.Master of Arts
Realists, roughly summarized, are those metaethicists who believe that some moral propositions have truth values, that some (or at least one) of those propositions turn out to be true, and that if rational agents disagree on the truth value of a particular moral proposition, only one of them has the possibility of being correct. Broadly construed, moral realists tend to fall under one of two “tents”, preferring either naturalism (for which moral properties turn out to be wholly natural in constitution) or non-naturalism (which posits that at least some moral properties have, even if only partly, non-natural constituents as part of their make-up. Theists, who base their theories of morality on some facet of the nature or essence (or commands) of God, have tended to either be relegated in philosophical debate to a characterization of “supernaturalism” or to some seldom visited corner of the non-natural “tent” of moral realism. The former tends to limit theistic engagement in contemporary metaethical dialogue such that it can seem (at times) as if theists and non-theists are talking about two different subjects entirely. On the other hand, a non-naturalistic theory of theistic moral realism saddles the view with some fairly difficult metaphysical and epistemological baggage in the form of powerful objections levied against non-naturalistic theories in general. This paper explores another option for theism in light of very recent work by Gideon Rosen, namely his article examining the metaphysical implications of varieties of moral realism, particularly naturalistic ones. This article has already garnered a general characterization (within metaethical research, writ large) as being a “taxonomy” of naturalistic (and non-naturalistic, for that matter) theories. Specifically for my purposes here, Rosen suggests that divine command theory (and theistic metaethics in general) should be understood as being naturalistic in formulation. This would seem to be advantageous to theists, in that their metaethical theories might avoid either the bounded characterization of supernaturalism or the difficult challenges of non-naturalism. However, the theist, should she avail herself of naturalism in this regard, will need to tread carefully. Given that Rosen has couched his 'taxonomy' in terms of metaphysical grounding, I examine some resultant challenges for naturalistic theistic metaethics, concluding they can be overcome, as well as a related objection to non-theistic naturalism that arise as a result of the same grounding discussion coupled with the resources theists can leverage in a naturalistic context.
40
Nwanji, Tony Ikechukwu. "Ethical implications of corporate governance : a deontological and teleological approach : applying ground theory." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.421735.
41
Childs, Richardo. "Fetal gene therapy : balancing ethical theory, scientific progress and the rights of others." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2012. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/46405/.
Abstract:
This thesis examines the relationship between rights and duties in the field of fetal gene therapy and assesses if the current regulatory position within England and Wales is compatible with the intergenerational aspects of scientific progress within fetal gene therapy (FGT). Within the field of genomics, the fetal junction has become a site where gene therapists are developing a range of medical techniques, such as fetal gene therapy and in utero stem cell therapy. Utilising such techniques raises questions about the intergenerational aspects of scientific progress and how intergenerational rights can reshape regulation. The thesis focuses upon these key questions: Are the intergenerational issues of FGT taken into account by both direct and indirect stakeholders? Can intergenerational issues override the reproductive rights of the mother? Have intergenerational issues impacted upon the clinical applications implicit and manifest in this work? Addressing such questions is important because the conflict between the rights of the mother, fetus, clinical researchers and society have the potential to delay progress in FGT. In addressing these questions the thesis utilised thematic analysis of relevant regulatory institutional documents, from international declarations to regulatory guidelines; and semi structured interviews of identified FGT practitioners to identify areas of potential conflict. Following the data collection and analysis, the field data identified five key areas of potential conflict, which were then assessed using the Principle of Generic Consistency (PGC) as proposed by Alan Gewirth (1978) and later altered by Beyleveld and Brownsword (2001). The thesis will argue that the field data shows that established regulatory principles such as human dignity are of limited value in relation to FGT. In other areas such as informed choice, autonomy and intergenerational equity the PGC is applied to define and partially resolve the outstanding areas necessary for consistent ethical and regulatory guidance in FGT
42
Motlhabi, Mokgethi. "The Theory and practice of black resistance to apartheid : a social-ethical analysis /." Johannesburg : Skotaville, 1986. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34962344n.
43
Solgos, Justice T. "The Effect of Regulatory Focus on Ethical Decision-Making." Ohio University Honors Tutorial College / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1461153442.
44
Higgins, Matthew. "Moral engagement : critical theory, ethics and marketing." Thesis, Keele University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.368979.
45
Falcon, Joshua. "The Ethical Import of Entheogens." FIU Digital Commons, 2017. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3357.
Abstract:
The term entheogen refers to drugs—including the artificial substances and active principles drawn from them—which are known to produce ecstasy and have been used traditionally in certain religious and shamanic contexts. The entheogenic experiences provoked by entheogens are described by users in myriad ways, including in spiritual, religious, philosophical, and secular contexts. Entheogenic experiences have shown that they can create opportunities for individuals to generate meaning, including novel philosophical insights, which users claim to gain by way of experience. As such, entheogenic experiences exhibit the ability to influence a change in a user’s fundamental philosophical commitments, or live options, including their ethical dispositions. Given that these new live options are rooted in experience, their veracity gains further credence for users than those commitments they have come to hold by way of abstraction. By philosophically investigating the phenomenology of entheogenic experiences, this work argues that entheogens have ethical import
46
Malone, Sheila. "Understanding the role of emotion in ethical consumption : a tourism context." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2012. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/13619/.
Abstract:
This thesis investigates the role of emotion in an ethical consumption context. It responds to a call by many researchers for greater knowledge of ethical issues in the field of marketing and consumer behaviour. This interest has emerged from a growth in ethical consumption practices despite hard economic times. The limitations of the renowned intention-behaviour gap highlight that such practices cannot be wholly explained by rational processes alone. However, little attention has been afforded to the impact of non-rational factors such as emotion. By examining the concept of emotion, this study addresses previously ignored consumption phenomena identified in the experiential perspective of consumer behaviour. More specifically, this thesis concentrates on tourism as an experiential consumption encounter and as a prototypical moral platform on which ethical practices has resulted in a plethora of alternative tourism offerings. This study employs semi-structured interviews with self-defined ethical tourists using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. This approach helped uncover participants' subjective experiences, their meaning and how they make sense of these encounters. The findings of this thesis demonstrate the difficulties experienced by the participants in communicating emotional experiences. As a result, they tended to use the senses to describe these encounters, thereby reflecting deeply engaging and emotional consumption experiences. The pivotal role emotion plays in the participants' ethical decision making is evident as it helps reaffirm an ethical sense of self, thereby influencing future ethical behaviours. Within the consumption experience, emotion appeared as a source of hedonic value often expressed through escape experiences and its concomitant feelings of freedom, through a sense of mutual benefit and in the challenge and achievement bestowed in the experience itself. Furthermore, the relationship between positive and negative emotions is evident highlighting the transformational effect of positive emotions and the influential impact of negative emotions on ethical consumption choices. The main contributions of this study are threefold. First, it contributes to the ethical literature by demonstrating ethical consumption to be a hedonic experience. It highlights emotion's key function in motivating, influencing, evaluating and engaging the participants with their consumption experiences. In particular, it contributes to the literature on ethical tourism as it highlights that the participants' desire to engage in ethical tourism is not only motivated by self-reflection based on their ethical beliefs and values, but also because of how these experiences make them feel. These feelings stem from an intrinsic enjoyment bestowed in choosing an ethical alternative and in the experience itself. Consequently, ethical tourism is regarded as a superior quality experience and a more meaningful consumption encounter. Second, this thesis contributes to the experiential perspective of consumer behaviour, by providing a greater understanding of the concept of emotion in an ethical consumption context. It identifies the central role of emotion prior to, during, and after decision-making in an ethical context. In addition, it demonstrates the motivational and influential role positive emotion has in promoting ethical behaviour, and the reinforcing role negative emotion has in discouraging unethical behaviour. Third, the thesis highlights the significance of pride as a consumption emotion, due to its impact on both a personal and an emotional level, and its ability to influence the individual's ethical decision-making processes. Finally, as a research context, the practical implications of this thesis are evident in their ability to influence marketing strategies employed in the tourism industry and their role in inform policy-makers is illustrated. Implications for future research are also considered.
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Lee, Jinhwa. "Understanding College Students' Purchase Behavior of Fashion Counterfeits: Fashion Consciousness, Public Self-Consciousness, Ethical Obligation, Ethical Judgment, and the Theory of Planned Behavior." Ohio : Ohio University, 2009. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1257894300.
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Ping, Alistair C. "Why good people do bad things in business." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/114002/1/Alistair_Ping_Thesis.pdf.
Abstract:
In this thesis inter-disciplinary research from the fields of business ethics, moral philosophy, criminology, social psychology and neuro-cognitive science are synthesised to develop a causal factor model which explains why good people do bad things in business. The model was tested by interviewing senior executives involved in corporate crimes and the results have significant implications for ethics education and training.
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Bertsou, Eri. "Citizen attitudes of political distrust : examining distrust through technical, ethical and interest-based evaluations." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2015. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3332/.
Abstract:
Citizen orientations towards their political leaders, institutions and political systems sits at the heart of political science and political behaviour, yet despite the potential challenges distrusting citizenries pose for the operation and stability of democratic systems, there has been no consensus on what political distrust really is, what it means for the citizens that express it, what its implications are for political systems and how to best capture it across established democracies. The dissonance between empirical observations of citizen distrusting attitudes and the analytical concepts used to study political orientations, which have mainly focused on trust, make this the right time to ask “What is political distrust?” and to investigate how this attitude area can help social scientists better understand current phenomena of political behaviour across democratic systems. This thesis postulates that we cannot conclusively interpret the significance of plummeting trust indicators nor apprehend their consequences for democratic politics without a clear understanding of citizens’ political distrust, defined in its own right and separated from competing notions, such as cynicism or the lack of trust. The thesis follows a mixed methodological approach to the study of political distrust from the perspective of citizens. It develops a conceptual model for distrusting political attitudes based on theoretical work and novel empirical evidence from three European democracies – Italy, the UK and Greece. Our model conceptualises political distrust as a dynamic, relational and evaluative attitude that follows technical, ethical and interest-based assessments to judge the untrustworthiness of political agents. Further, the thesis puts this conceptual model to the test, creating a novel survey indicator and providing new quantitative evidence regarding the structure and operation of political distrust. It finds support for our conceptualisation of distrusting attitudes as retrospective and prospective evaluative judgments and highlights the prominence of perceptions of unethical political conduct in shaping political distrust. Using a multiple-item indicator tapping into evaluations of national parliament and a citizen’s preferred political party we explore the dimensionality and hierarchy of each evaluation and unravel a double operation of distrusting attitudes, both as specific assessments of political agents along these three dimensions and as a cognitive evaluative shortcut acting in a cyclical reinforcing manner. We also investigate how the newly identified aspects of political distrust relate to citizens’ behavioural intentions for participating in politics and find differences in the motivating and demotivating influence of distrusting attitudes targeted at different parts of the political system.
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Power, Kevin J. "How are ethical problems resolved in a paediatric intensive care unit?" Thesis, De Montfort University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/7880.
Abstract:
Few studies have explored how medical ethics works in practice specifically in terms of the social processes that result in a decision regarding an ethical problem. This is particularly so in the case of children’s intensive care. More than a decade of teaching healthcare ethics to both nurses and doctors prompted a study to examine how ethical problems are resolved in a children’s intensive care unit. This qualitative study addressed this question in a single large children’s intensive care unit in England. The study was guided by grounded theory in examining via individual face to face unstructured and semi-structured interviews what ethical problems were encountered and how they were resolved. Interviews were conducted mainly with doctors and nurses working on an intensive care unit. Two admitting consultant doctors and three parents were also interviewed. The analysis of data gathered in 20 interviews was developed using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) framework. A theory emerged from the analysis of the data that revealed the most prominent ethical problems in children’s intensive care related to end-of-life situations. Most significant among these was the decision to withdraw life-preserving interventions from a child. The theory outlines a process by which health professionals involved in the care and treatment of a child in intensive care negotiated a consensus on the point at which it was no longer appropriate to continue life-preserving interventions. This consensus was then presented to parents. Parental assent to withdrawal was facilitated, when not immediately forthcoming, by a process of persuasion.