UI 370
Media EthicsH. Hamner Hill
CSTL-CLA.SEMO.EDU/HILL/UI370
UI 370 Introduction
H. Hamner Hill, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion Carnahan 211BB MWF, 11-12 Office 651-2817 Home 339-0575 [email protected]
Nature and details of the course
This is a lecture/Discussion course. The emphasis is on discussion. That means that the students will bear most of the responsibility for keeping the class moving. Students MUST be prepared for class.
Expectations of Students
Students will be expected to: Be prepared to discuss assigned readings Prepare 5 case studies Prepare 2 short (5-7 pages each) interdisciplinary research papers Prepare and delivery an oral summary of one of your papers Complete a comprehensive final exam
Scoring
Individual Papers 50%Individual Presentation 10%Case Studies 25%Final Exam 15%
Why Do We Need a Course in Media Ethics?
Public Attitudes About the MediaRapid Technological ChangeChanging Business Pressures in the MediaMedia Consolidation and ConglomerationChanging DemographicsOverview of Ethical Theory
Overview of Ethical Theory
What is a Theory? Scientific theories:– Tool for describing our experience– Tool for predicting future experience– Tool for organizing our experiences
Good Theories Must:
Fit (generally) our experienceBe subject to test and refutation
Are Ethical Theories Really Theories?
What are the data in ethics?–Considered moral judgmentsCan ethical theories be tested?–Test cases and moral senses
Components of an Ethical Theory
Theory of Value (Axiology)– Monistic (there is only one thing of value)– Pluralistic (several things have value)
Components of an Ethical Theory
Theory of Value (Axiology)Theory of Obligation (Deontology)
Two Major Types of Theories of Obligation
RelativistNon-relativist (absolutist)
Relativist Theories
There are no universal or objective standards of right and wrong, there are no universal duties. “Right” is a concept that makes sense only in a context; what is right is relative to a context.
Non-Relativist Theories
There are objective, universal standards of conduct that apply to all people in all settings.
Major Non-Relativist Theories of Obligation
ConsequentialistDuty BasedRights BasedNatural LawVirtue Ethics
Consequentialist Theories
The rightness or wrongness of an act is determined through reference to the consequences of the act. Right actions maximize value.
Duty Based Theories of Obligation
Human reason allows us to discover universal duties or obligations that ew have to one another.
Rights Based Theories of Obligation
People come equipped with a basic set of rights, respect for which is a defining feature of moral action. Right actions respect basic rights.
Natural Law
The Divine law sets the standard for all human laws. Humans are obligated to act in accordance with the Divine law, and all human laws should embody it.
Virtue Ethics
Act in ways that promote the development of and display virtuous character traits
Major Ethical Principles
NonmaleficenceBeneficenceUtilityDistributive JusticeAutonomyPrecautionary Principle
Nonmaleficence Act in ways that do not cause harm or
needless suffering to others. This principle is a formalization of the "above all else, do no harm" edict.
Beneficence
Act in ways that promote the welfare of other people. This principle requires affirmative steps be taken to advance the welfare of others.
Utility
Act in ways that maximize good and minimize harm. Right actions maximize some measurable thing of value.
Distributive Justice
Act in way that promote a just* distribution of social goods. This theory needs an independent theory of just distribution to be workable.
Autonomy
Act in ways that allow rational individuals to govern their own lives. Treat persons with respect and dignity and allow them to make decisions for themselves with regard to their own lives.
The Precautionary Principle
Take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize climate change and mitigate its adverse effects. Rather than await certainty, regulators should act in anticipation of any potential environmental harm in order to prevent it.
Roles, Responsibilities, Values and Conflicts
Social Roles and Institutions
Established and continuing parts in a social enterpriseCharacterized by distinctive activitySpecial contexts of evaluation and appropriateness
Contexts of Evaluation and Appropriateness
Prescribed means (constraints on reasons)Constraints on actionsPrescribed ends
The Ecology of Social Roles
A roles is shaped by the demands of complementary roles surrounding it, and roles change in response to changes in other interacting roles
Responsibilities and Values are Defined by Roles
Role Responsibilities
Expectations that are placed on an agent in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain role capacity
Role Responsibilities
Expectations that are placed on an agent in virtue of that agent’s acting in a certain role capacityIncluded and excluded reasons--agents acting in roles are expected to use, or exclude certain types of reasons
People Fill Several Roles Simultaneously
The fundamental values and responsibilities of different roles may come into open conflictInconsistent social messages about values
Three conflicting roles
ConsumerCitizenNeighbor
Values Vary by Role
What is valued in one role may not be valued in, or may be harmful to, another
Inconsistent Social Messages About Values
Success: wealth and avariceWork: virtue or punishmentSocietal Values: liberty, justice, and equalityLand values: stewardship or dominionConfusion between morality and legality
M.L. King on Morality and Legality
Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. We cannot change the heart, but we may restrain the heartless.
Law is External Morality is Internal Law is about what we MUST Do Morality is about what we STRIVE to Do and Be
Ethics is about doing more than you are required to do, but less than you are allowed to do
Michael Josephson
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