Ethics  Ethics is deciding what is right or wrong in a reasoned impartial manner.  Three important elements of ethics are.: 1. decision about a right or wrong action 1. decision about a right or wrong action 2. decision is reasoned. 2. decision is reasoned. 3. decision is impartial. 3. decision is impartial. Many of your decisions have little effect on other persons or yourself Your decision to buy jeans has no ethical component. Your decision to discontinue medical support for an unconscious ill relative is an intensely ethical decision. To involve ethics, a decision must affect you or others ethical decision. To involve ethics, a decision must affect you or others in some significant way. To make ethical decisions we must base our decisions n reason, not on emotion. People often reason about right or wrong by referring too a written authority. The law is such an authority. So are religious texts such ad the Torah, the Bible, the Koran. So are religious texts such ad the Torah, the Bible, the Koran.

Impartial Decisions  Impartiality is the idea that the same ethical standards are applied to everyone. Ethics do not value one person or group of people more than any other does. Impartiality requires that in making ethical decisions we balance our self-interest with the interest of others.  Business Ethics: are the ethical principles used in making business decisions. Due to the issue of profit, many times ethics do not come into play.  Can you think of famous business people who used poor ethical judgment? Discuss….

Basic Forms Of Ethical Reasoning  Ethical reasoning about right or wrong takes two basic forms. One form is based on consequences. In this style of ethical reasoning, rightness or wrongness is based only on the results of the action. Acts have no ethical, or moral, character. An act that produces good consequences is good, an act that produces bad consequences is bad! Telling the truth is always right, lying is always wrong.  Consequence-based reasoning: recognizes that lying usually produces bad consequences. Rule –based ethics says that lying is always wrong. This type of reasoning always locks for alternative ways to alter the current situation. Then it attempts to forecast the consequence that will arise from each alternative.

The Good  Philosophers call the standard for judging right or wrong The Good. The Good is the primary goal toward which human life should be directed. The Good involves alternative basic goals such as love, justice, truth, and pleasure. These goals all motivate a reasoning person's actions and important decisions.  Fundamental Ethical Rules: the acts themselves are judged as right or wrong. The standard for judging comes from one of two sources-a recognized authority or human reasoning.  Universalizing: you picture everyone doing the same action, and then you think “ Is this irrational, illogical, or self-defeating?”  Moral Rights: are rightful claims on other people that flow from each person’s status as a human being.

How Is Ethics Expressed In Our Law?  In our country, the people-directly or indirectly- determine the laws that bind them. They do this by electing representatives to law making bodies,such as city councils, state legislatures, and the congress of the United States.  Majority Rule: The elected representation must vote for laws acceptable to the majority of people they represent if they expect to be reelected. Many f the features of consequences-based ethics. Laws are judged to be right or good when they affect the majority of the people positively.  Civil Rights: are personal, human rights recognized by our Constitution. Among the civil rights recognized are freedom of religion, speech,press, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to a speedy trial; the right to vote; and a host of others.

Why are We Obligated To Obey Laws  We are obligated to obey the law because ethical reasoning demands it, because we have agreed to obey it, and because by obeying it we avoid punishment.  According to consequences-based reasoning, when the law is violated, many more people like are injured than are benefited. With rule-based reasoning, if we say that we have agreed to obey the law but violate it, we are breaking our promise. In this universalized state  Promise breaking is illogical or pointless and thus wrong. People who embrace formal religious principles are taught to live in a manner that helps others.  By obeying the law, we avoid punishment.

Are We Ever Justified In Violating The Law?  Some people care passionately about justice and human rights. Sometimes this makes people violate what they feel are unfair laws. They engage in acts of civil disobedience. Civil Disobedience is an open, peaceful, violation, of law to protest its alleged injustice. The goal is to make the legal system more just.  Civil Disobedience is ethical only when:  * a written law is in conflict with ethical reasoning.  * no methods are available to change the law.  * must be nonviolent  * It must not advance ones self –interest.  * Must be public, and one must accept punishment for violating the law.