Ethics & the Law

How Do YOU Decide?

Morality

What is Morality? Values that govern a society’s attitude towards right

and wrong Example: Would you die for a friend? Example: Would you kill someone to save your

life? Example: Are forms of torture used on terrorists

okay? Example: Is stem cell research okay?

Ethics

What are ethics? The means for determining what a society’s values

ought to be

How Ethics Are Determined: Feelings & Opinions The Greatest Good - An action/judgement that

creates the greatest good for the greatest # of people

The Golden Rule - Do unto others…

Ethical Character Traits

Honesty Being open & truthful in dealing with others

Justice Treating others fairly & equally

Compassion Displaying sympathy to other’s difficulties

Integrity Willingness to do the right thing

Relationship between Ethics & the Law Why is law necessary?

Law is necessary because people do not always do what they should do.

Law The system of rules of conduct established by the

government of a society to maintain stability & justice Because law is made by people it is imperfect.

Even judges and legislators use personal views. This is why ethics and laws may conflict

Strange Laws in Illinois

Chicago - It is forbidden to eat in a place that is on fire

Cicero - Humming on public streets is prohibited on Sundays

A car must be driven with the steering wheel

Strange Laws in the U.S.

A person is ineligible to become Governor of the state of Pennsylvania if he/she has taken part in a duel

In Texas, it is illegal to milk another person’s cow In Cleveland, Ohio it is illegal to catch mice

without a hunting license In Oklahoma it is illegal to catch whales

Strange International Laws

Australia - It is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and carry the tools of a cat burglar

England - Picking up abandoned baggage is an act of terrorism

France - Between 8am-8pm 70% of music on the radio must be by French composers

Paraguay - Duelling is legal as long as both parties are registered blood donors