Ethical Engineering: Definitions, Theories and Techniques - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 25

Behaviour
determined by
virtue ethics

Behaviour

CHARACTER

_

Fig. 2.1 Feedback from ethical behaviour to virtuous character

conduct has an effect on character and the development of virtues and these virtues
lead to further ethical behaviour. Virtue ethics is also consistent with spiritually
motivated approaches to ethics, since it could be considered to encourage personal
and spiritual development through ethical behaviour. However, it is unrealistic to
defi ne ethics in terms of the behaviour of a virtuous person, since even 'virtuous'
people sometimes make mistakes or do things they subsequently regret, and there is
no generally accepted understanding of a 'virtuous' person.

2.2.2 Outcomes-Oriented Theories and Approaches

2.2.2.1 Consequentialist Ethics

Consequentialism is based solely on consideration of the consequences of actions.
It requires trying to assess the likely consequences of actions and only carrying
them out if the expected benefi ts exceed the expected disadvantages. This immediately
raises the issue of how uncertainties in the likely consequences should be taken into
account. In many cases, the precautionary principle is required. It attempts to
remove the need to prove a causal link between specifi c emissions and observed
environmental damage before action is taken to reduce the environmental damage
caused by substances with a known 'hazard potential' (Hersh 2006 ). Although
generally stated in terms of environmental harm, it can also be applied to other
types of harms.
Utilitarianism is a particular type of consequentialism, based on the maximisa-
tion of utility. This was originally expressed in terms of happiness or pleasure, but the
theory has now expanded to include other measures of utility. There is a whole
economic and mathematical theory of utility (Fishburn 1970 ), which will not be
discussed here. In general terms, it is based on the idea that a 'rational man' will
maximise utility through consumption. Although more recent developments allow
for an increase of utility resulting from positive altruistic emotions and experiences,
it tends to encourage egotism, materialism and consumption.
However, utilitarianism is not egotistical and is based on maximising overall
good, whether defi ned as the total of individual measures of utility, pleasure or hap-
piness, generally without taking account of how it is distributed. It generally requires