1. Chapter 2 Ethics in Our Law
Lesson 2-1, What is Ethics?

2. Survey of Ethical Theoretic Aptitudes
Ethics – deciding what is right or wrong in a reasoned, impartial manner
Ethical decisions
decision must affect you or others in some significant way.
Base decision on reason, not emotions

3. Impartial Decisions
Impartiality is the idea that the same ethical standards are applied to everyone
Self-interest needs to be balanced with needs of others
Do not value one person or group more than any other
Each person is an individual and should receive equal respect and consideration
Organizations and institutions – consider how the people associated with these are affected

4. Business Ethics
Business Ethics – the ethical principles used in making business decisions
Problem of Profit Maximization: move factories offshore and cut jobs in order to reduce costs and produce greater short-term profits
Assignment: Page 21, #1 - 11

5. Chapter 2 Ethics in Our Law
Lesson 2-2
Reasoning about
Right and Wrong

6. Basic Forms of Ethical Reasoning
1. based on consequences
based on the results of the action
an act that produces a good consequence is good
an act that produces a bad consequence is bad
2. based on ethical rules
acts are either right or wrong
lying – wrong telling the truth – right
cannot justify lying

7. Ethical Reasoning Based on Consequences
1. describe alternative actions
2. forecast consequences
3. evaluate consequences
The Good – the standard for judging right or wrong
Involves alternative basic goals such as love, justice, truth and pleasure

8. Fundamental Ethical Rules
– acts themselves are judged as right or wrong
- uses a recognized authority or human reasoning

9. Decisions based on Authority -- Law or religion – based on Torah, Koran, Bible
Decisions based on Reasoning
Universalizing – picturing in your mind’s eye everyone in the world doing the action

10. Moral Rights – rightful claims on other people that flow from each persons’ status as a human being

11. Chapter 2 Ethics in Our Law
Lesson 2-3
How is Ethics Expressed
in Our Laws?

12. People directly or indirectly determine the laws that bind them by electing representatives
Majority Rule – elected representatives vote for laws acceptable to the majority of people they represent
Our system mainly uses consequences-based ethics
Laws are judged to be right or good when they affect the majority of the people positively

13. Our Laws Reflect Rule-Based Ethics
Laws desired by the majority sometimes conflict with moral rights -- Slaves
Civil Rights (or civil liberties) – personal, human rights recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution
There are limits to majority rule – when the will of the majority conflicts with basic human rights, our legal system protects individual rights

14. Our Ethical Goals Reflected in Our Laws
Read page 27
Need a consistent rule to assure order and predictability

15. Why Are We Obligated to Obey Laws?
ethical reasoning demands it
when law is violated, many more people are injured than are benefited
we have agreed to obey it we have accepted the benefits of the society

16. Integrity – the capacity to do what is right even in the face of temptation or pressure to do otherwise
by obeying it we avoid punishment
fidelity bond – an insurance policy that pays the employer money in the case of theft of employees

17. Are We Ever Justified in Violating the Law?
Civil disobedience – an open, peaceful violation of a law to protest its alleged injustice
Scofflaws – persons who do not respect the law
Assignment: Page 29, 1-11