Welcome to Applied Ethics in Education—Class 3

Overview of Today’s Class Discussing Religion, Deontology,

and Rights Ethics The Inauguration of a President Lecture on Religion and Deontology Cases in Schools and Colleges Small Group Discussions—Class 3

Welcome to Applied Ethics in Education—Class 2

Exploring Moral Development Ideas Martin Luther King, Jr. Letters Literature Circle on Values of

Compassion and Friendship Other Activities

Next week’s explorations in ethics

National Celebrations

Martin Luther King, Jr. The path to civil rights through non-

violence and civil disobedience—from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Unjust human laws (p. 169) Natural law higher than human law Personal stories—Les and Steve

Presidential Inauguration

Civil religion—American institutionalized beliefs

The music and theme of Simple Gifts The oath of office—"I do solemnly swear

that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Presidential Inauguration

The duty to keep one’s promises—is the Deontological moment in American history

President Obama’s speech filled with promises:

--”We must begin the work of remaking America”

Presidential Inauguration

--”Our forefathers gave us the rule of law and the right of man”--We must “use our resources to protect this great gift of freedom”

Civil religion, promises, and duty Presidential Inauguration

Taking a Moral Position: Understanding Religion and the Duty to Follow Moral Rules

Les Goodchild, Santa Clara University

Overview

Following Principles in Making a Moral Position Understanding Religion and Divine Commands

as well as Deontology The Moral Obligation to Follow Promises,

Norms, and Maxims The Categorical Imperative and Prima Facie

Claims to Ethical Decision Making A View toward Human Rights

Following Principles in Making a Moral Decision

When confronted with a difficult moral dilemma—we reflect on moral principles to make an ethical decision

We find that our duty is to follow promises, norms, rules, and maxims is from Immanuel Kant’s point of view universally “obligatory”

Following Principles in Making a Moral Decision

The Greek idea of deon—following a duty is obligatory—again for the good of the polis, the city state

From Kant’s point of view this is “an absolute duty . . . regardless of the consequences” (Boss, p. 312)

Thus in making ethical decisions, we must follow our promises, rules, norms, and maxims

Understanding Religion and Divine Commands as well as Deontology

Religion provides one foundational source of making ethical decisions There are different faith traditions which offer these particular sources Divine commands are particular for individuals and groups in a specific time Divine laws such as the 10 Commandments are universal moral law

Understanding Religion and Divine Commands as well as Deontology

Religionists claim we should follow these divine commands, because they are often based on natural law, which is derived from the natural order of life

Deontologists claim that we have a duty to follow and our rules and norms

Both are universal in their scope

The Moral Obligation to Follow Promises, Norms, and Maxims

Kantian deontology means when in a moral dilemma on must follow one’s promises, norms, or maxims It is a moral framework to follow one’s duyThree Kantian principles

“An act must be done from obligation for it to have moral worth”

“An acts moral value is due to the maxim,” not the consequence

Deontology

“Obligation is the necessity of an action performed out of respect for the law”

This duty is a categorical imperative—namely we have no choice but to follow the law out of duty

The Categorical Imperative and Prima Facie Claims

Prima Facie claims means that some obligations are higher than others on the face of it

In other words, it is obvious which rule we have a duty to follow

For example, obligations of fidelity to our promises, self-improvement, distributive justice (fair distribution of goods)—to name a few

A View toward Human Rights

What are human rights? See the Universal Declaration form the United Nations (pp. 360-361)

Following Locke, they stem from our human nature and our human condition (p. 364)