Introduction

This chapter acts as the link between the three theoretical chapters and the three practical chapters. Until now the three approaches to moral questions have been discussed in the context of human participant research at the level of ideas and theoretical applications. In the next three chapters cases will be analysed using the three approaches. The same order of presentation will be followed. Each chapter will focus on one of the three approaches, and the practical issues discussed will mirror those raised within each of the theoretical chapters. This introductory chapter will summarize the philosophical foundations of each of the three approaches, and introduce the cases to be discussed in the second half of the book.

Goal-based morality

Goal-based morality's theoretical basis summarized

Chapter Two introduced goal-based morality, describing the theories of some of its more famous utilitarian forbears. Utilitarianism considers the outcome of an action to be its moral determinant, rather than the content of the action itself. In simple terms, this means working out the extent to which an action maximizes happiness. Jeremy Bentham thought that each person affected by an action should count as one, so that the more people who were made happy by an action, the more justified it was. This simple theory, although attractive because it requires no complex moral code or belief in a higher authority, nevertheless countenances and even justifies harm to some. It does not seek to condemn any action whatsoever, if it maximizes happiness.