Lecture 1 Introduction to Ethics

Chapter Overview Introduction Review of some ethical theories Comparing workable ethical theories 1-2

1.1 Introduction The Ethical Point of View Most everyone shares “core values”, desiring – Life – Happiness – Ability to accomplish goals Two ways to view world – Selfish point of view: consider only own self and its core values – Ethical point of view: respect other people and their core values 1-3

Defining Terms Society: It is a group of individuals living in a particular site links among them cultural and social relations, each one of them seeks to achieve the interests and needs. Morality( الاخلاقية ) – A society’s rules of conduct – What people ought / ought not to do in various situations Ethics( الاخلاق.. الاخلاقيات ) – Evaluation of people’s behavior 1-4

Why Study Ethics? Ethics: A way to decide the best thing to do New problems accompany new technologies 1-5

1-religion 2- Custom 3- Conscience the most important sources of morality 1-6

More on Ethics Ethics: rational, systematic analysis – “Doing ethics”: answers need explanations – Explanations: facts, shared values, logic 1-7

1 - First Source: Shara And Human Values 2- Second Source: The Laws And Canons 3- Third Source: The Prevailing Culture In The Community Ethical standards are derived from three main sources: 1-8

Good Ethical Theory Supports Persuasive, Logical Arguments 1-9

-Of The Most Famous Theories Of Modern Physics, - It Was Developed By Albert Einstein Inthe Early Twentieth Century. -There Are Two Theories Of Relativity, The first is Special Relativity The Second Is General Relativity, -Both Of Which Rely On The Principle Of Relativity developed By Galileo Galilei In 1636 Definition o Subjective Relativism f 1.Subjective Relativism 1-10

Subjective Relativism What is Relativism Subjective relativism – No universal norms of right and wrong – One person can say “X is right,” another can say “X is wrong,” and both can be right – Each person decides right and wrong for himself or herself – “What’s right for you may not be right for me” 1-11

. Is The Principle States That The Actions And Beliefs Of The Individual Must Be Understoodby Others Within The Context Of The Culture In Which He Was Born.. This Principle Was Established Axiom In The Research Methodology Anthropological Wor k By Franz Boas Definition of Cultural Relativism 2. Cultural Relativism 1-12

Cultural Relativism What is “right” and “wrong” depends upon a society’s actual moral guidelines These guidelines vary from place to place and from time to time A particular action may be right in one society at one time and wrong in other society or at another time -> Right/wrong for same society at different times Right/wrong for different societies at same time. 1-13

- Is A Meta-ethical Theory Which Proposes That An Action's Status As Morally Good Is Equivalent To Whether It Is Commanded By God 3. Divine Command Theory 1-14

Overview of Divine Command Theory Good actions: those aligned with God’s will Bad actions: those contrary to God’s will 1-15

- Egoism Is The Theory That One’s Self Is, Or Should Be, The Motivation And The Goal Of One’s Own Action. - Egoism Has Two Variants:. Descriptive.Normative. 4. Ethical Egoism 1-16

4. Ethical Egoism Definition of Ethical Egoism Each person should focus exclusively on his self-interest Morally right action: that action that provides self with maximum long-term benefit 1-17

Categorical Imperative (1 st Formulation) 1-18 Act only from moral rules that you can at the same time will to be universal moral laws.

2 nd Formulation of Categorical Imperative 1-19

Plagiarism Scenario Carla – Single mother – Works full time – Takes two evening courses/semester History class – Requires more work than normal – Carla earning an “A” on all work so far – Carla doesn’t have time to write final report Carla purchases report and submits it as her own work 1-20

Kantian Evaluation (1 st Formulation) Carla wants credit for plagiarized report Rule: “You may claim credit for work performed by someone else” Proposal moral rule is self-defeating It is wrong for Carla to turn in a purchased report 1-21

Kantian Evaluation (2 nd Formulation) Carla submitted another person’s work as her own She attempted to deceive professor She treated professor as a means to an end – End: passing the course What Carla did was wrong 1-22

Case for Kantianism Rational Produces universal moral guidelines Treats all persons as moral equals Workable ethical theory 1-23

Perfect and Imperfect Duties Perfect duty: – Example: Telling the truth Imperfect duty: – Example: Helping others 1-24

Principle of Utility Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill An action is good if it benefits someone An action is bad if it harms someone Happiness = advantage = benefit = good = pleasure Unhappiness = disadvantage = cost = evil = pain 1-25

Case for Act Utilitarianism Focuses on happiness Down-to-earth (practical) Comprehensive Workable ethical theory 1-26

Kinds of Rights Negative right: A right that another can guarantee by leaving you alone -> – e.g., Right to free expression Positive right: A right obligating others to do something on your behalf -> – e.g., Right to a free education. Absolute right: A right guaranteed without exception 1-27

Comparison between types of rights Positive rights tend to be more limited -> – e.g., free education up to a certain point (K-12) Negative rights tends to be more absolute -> – e.g., “right to life” 1-28