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Normative Ethics – Definition, Theory, Importance & Examples

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Normative ethics, or prescriptive ethics, is the study of what ought to be. It involves defining moral standards of behaviour and the morality of actions, practices, laws and institutions. Normative ethics are usually distinguished from descriptive ethics, which focus on identifying various moral standards and behaviours as they are thought to exist by particular people or cultures or in specific situations.

Normative Ethics – Overview

Normative ethics is the study of how we ought to act, morally speaking. It deals with questions about what is right and wrong, good and bad. Normative ethics is also sometimes called moral philosophy. 
There are three main types of normative ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Each theory has different ways of approaching moral problems. For example, a consequentialist might focus on the results of an action, while a deontologist might focus on the intentions behind the action.

Normative Ethics – Definition

We can define normative ethics as a system of moral principles that tell us what we ought to do in various situations. These principles can be derived from our understanding of what is good or bad, right or wrong. For example, the principle of beneficence tells us that we should do things that will promote the good of others, while the principle of non-maleficence tells us to avoid doing things that will cause harm.

Normative Ethics- importance

Normative ethics are important because they provide a framework for how we ought to behave in various situations. They help us determine what is right and wrong, and can guide us in making decisions about what to do in difficult situations. There are many different types of normative ethical theories, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some common examples include utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Utilitarianism holds that the morally correct action is the one that produces the most happiness or good consequences overall, while deontology holds that an action is morally correct if it does not violate any moral duty or obligation. Virtue ethics focuses on cultivating character traits such as courage, honesty, and justice which will lead to more ethical actions.

Normative Ethics – Nature and Scope

Normative ethics is the study of ethical behaviour and is also known as moral philosophy. It covers the right and wrong of human conduct and the good and bad of a human character. The three main areas of normative ethics are meta-ethics, applied ethics, and descriptive ethics. Meta-ethics looks at the nature of moral language and what kinds of things can be called ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Applied ethics looks at ethical issues that arise in particular professions, such as medicine or engineering. Descriptive ethics is a branch of empirical sociology that studies people’s opinions about what they think to be morally good or bad behaviour.
 

Normative Ethics

Normative Ethics

Normative Ethics– Characteristics

1. Theories or systems of moral values that prescribe what people ought to do in particular situations. 
2. They are based on assumptions about what is good or bad, right or wrong, just or unjust. 
3. They often take the form of rules or guidelines that tell us what we should and should not do in specific circumstances. 
4. Many of these theories are codified in legal systems and religious texts, but they can also be found in works of philosophy and literature. 
5. Examples include utilitarianism (the idea that actions should produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number) and Kantianism (that a person’s intentions are irrelevant if their actions violate a moral rule). 
6. For some people, normative ethics might mean living up to certain standards as dictated by society or religion; others might view it as following one’s moral compass regardless of what other people think.

Normative Ethics: The Duties We Have to Others

We have duties to others because of the relationships we have with them. We are family members, friends, co-workers, and citizens. The duties we have to others vary depending on the relationship. For example, we have a duty to our family to take care of them, but we also have a duty to our co-workers to be productive. As citizens, we must vote in elections and contribute to society through volunteer work. As a friend, you may offer emotional support or help find employment for your friend.

Classifying Normative Ethics

Normative ethics is the study of how we ought to behave, and what kind of people we ought to be. It addresses questions such as: What is the good life? What are our duties? What is right and wrong? How should we treat other people? 
There are three main types of normative ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. 
Consequentialism is the view that whether an action is morally right or wrong depends on its consequences. So for example, if it causes more happiness than unhappiness then it’s a morally correct decision; however, if it does not cause more happiness than unhappiness then it’s a morally incorrect decision. 
Deontology states that what makes an act moral is what rules the person followed in deciding to take the action. 
Virtue ethics proposes that morality arises from having virtuous character traits which are dispositions to think, feel and act in certain ways.

Examples of Normative Ethics in our lives

Normative ethics are basically the guidelines we use to live our lives. They help us determine what is right and wrong, and they shape our decision-making. Some common examples of normative ethics include things like honesty, respect, and fairness. We often learn these concepts from our families, friends, and other social groups. There are many rules in society that we must follow because they’re considered to be normative ethics – such as not telling a lie or not stealing. Without norms, it would be difficult for people to live together because there would be no way of determining what was right or wrong.

 


Last Updated : 10 Sep, 2023
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