Ethics basics: what is good and right?

In short: Ethics examines how we should act and why. Two major approaches are deontology (actions are right or wrong in themselves) and utilitarianism (consequences count).

In more detail: Morality is the actual rules of a society, ethics the critical reflection on them.

In detail

• Deontology: Actions are judged by rules and duties, such as Kant’s categorical imperative (kategorischer-imperativ-kant).
• Utilitarianism: Good is what promotes the happiness of the most (utilitarismus-nutzen-fuer-alle).
• Virtue ethics: Character traits such as courage, justice, moderation (Aristotle).
• Relativism: Morality depends on culture; critics point to universal human rights.
• Conflicts: Real dilemmas arise when values collide.
• Justifying: Good ethics argues instead of proclaiming.
• Everyday life: Honesty, fairness, helpfulness (was-ist-philosophie).