INTRODUCTION TO ETHICSWHY STUDY ETHICS?

“Flowing beneath every human action is the current of ethical

significance.”

The very same questions that have plagued philosophers for centuries are some of the same questions facing each of us in our daily lives. The answers to ethical questions can’t be found in a book or be memorized. It is only through truth-seeking and careful examination of actions, reactions, and reasons for actions that we can begin to understand and successfully deal with ethical issues. We can’t escape logical examination in the pursuit of this truth. What lies beneath our decisions? What are our ethics made of?

WHAT IS ETHICS? The word ETHICS comes from the Greek

word ETHOS meaning CHARACTER. Ethics is

1. The study of standards of right and wrong 2. the part of philosophy dealing with moral

conduct, duty and judgment

Ask yourself: Ask yourself:

What do you believe about treating others with respect?

What do you think about stealing? What do you think about cheating? Do you practice what you preach and/or

honestly believe? Are your beliefs reasonable? Are they morally sound? Do they and or will they survive moral

argument?

Moral vs. Ethical The term Moral is basically the same as

Ethical. Moral is from the Latin word mores. Ethical from the Greek word ethos.

The two words refer to behavior. Ethics deals with the study of right and

wrong, Morality with the doing of right and wrong.

Ethical Theory in Western Civilization

For western civilization, there are two major influences on ethical thinking

Greek tradition: Concerned with leading the “good life” Concerned with the nature of happiness

What is a happy life? How does one achieve a happy life?

Judeo-Christian tradition: Concerned with duty before God Concerned with doing what is “right” before God.

Love of God and love of neighbor are at the heart of morality

CLASS PURPOSE The purpose of this class is to give you

moral autonomy. The ability to reason for oneself without

passive adherence to societal or social conventions.

Not to be automatons Succumbing to parents, tradition or peer

pressure and not making one’s own decisions.

To obtain moral autonomy one must:

Identify moral problems Create moral possibilities to solve the problems Weigh all the different options Clearly state the problem and the solutions Be knowledgeable about differing customs

This will ensure a morally responsible conclusion

Ethical Perspective Systematic questioning and critical examination of the

underlying principles of morality Like moralist and casuists wants to establish norms for

behavior - regulatory BUT also calls for examination of principles – deliberative

Example: Where did the idea that cheating is wrong come from? Should cheating always be considered wrong, or are

these instances where cheating would be justified for certain individuals?

Fours Aims of Philosophical Ethics

1. Clarity (of important moral issues)2. Comprehensive perspective

Understanding relationship between moral ideas and their part in our lives

3. Critical assessment Testing the truth of moral claims- question the

ethics involved

4. Moral guidance How should we act?