Ethical Engineering: Definitions, Theories and Techniques - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 20

Table 2.2 Summary of theories and approaches to understanding ethics
Theory Properties Concepts References

Care, ethics of Monist, situational, outcomes

oriented

A context-based approach to
preserving relationships

Gilligan ( 1982 ), Held ( 2006 ), Morris ( 2001 ),
and Sevenhuisjen, ( 1998 )

Case approach Pluralist, absolutist, process

oriented

Rule-based analysis of particular
cases to obtain general rules to
analyse complicated cases

Chadwick ( 1992 ). Cooper ( 2012 ), Harris
et al. ( 1996 ), and Newberry ( 2004 )

Deontological Monist, absolutist, process

oriented

Intention and innate virtue of a
course of action

Collins and Miller ( 1992 ), Ersdal and Aven
( 2008 ), and Kant ( 1792 , 1818 )

Eco-centred Pluralist, situational, process

and outcomes oriented

Connections and interactions,
a holistic perspective including
long-term and indirect
consequences for the environment

Callicott ( 1992 ), Hersh ( 2000 , 2013 , 2014 ),.
Mosquin and Rowe ( 2004 ), Nash ( 1989 ),
and Taylor ( 2011 )

Existential ethics Monist, absolutist, outcomes

oriented

Morality from individual's concern
for continuing and enhanced
existence

Kaufman ( 1956 ), Macquarrie ( 1955 ), Sartre
( 1985 , 1992 ), and Warnock ( 1970 )

Experimentation, ethics of Monist, absolutist, process

oriented

This stresses informed consent Hersh ( 2012a , b ), Hersh and Tucker ( 2005 ), and

Martin and Schinzinger ( 1996 , 2004 , 2010 )

Hippocratic or
engineering oath

Monist, absolutist, process,
and outcomes oriented

Public personal ethical
commitment. Avoid harm, share
knowledge, admit ignorance

Bitay et al. ( 2005 ), Laplante ( 2004 ),
and Singleton ( 1991 )

Human-centred Monist, absolutist, process

oriented

Focus on people and relationships
rather than technology, power
structures or organisations

Hersh ( 2013 , 2014 ), and Stapleton
and Hersh ( 2004 )

Narrative Pluralist, situational, both

process and outcomes oriented

Use of stories, literary criticism,
and narrative theory to understand
underlying issues

Hersh et al. ( 2005 ), Frey and O'Neill-Carillo
( 2008 ), McCarthy ( 2003 ), and Walker ( 1993 )