1 An Introductory Exploration

Ethics As a Branch within Philosophy Meta-EthicsNormative EthicsApplied Ethics 2

How Far Do Ethical Responsibilities Reach? All Matter All Life All Animals All People People in US Family & Friends Eco-Ethics Vitalism Animism Humanism Nationalism Tribalism 3

Who Should be Bound by an Ethical Code? Each individual should have her own ethical code. Ethical Subjectivism Each society or cultural group should have its own ethical code. Ethical Relativism There should be one ethical code for all people on the planet. Ethical Universalism 4

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Ethics & Morality By what code or set of ethics should we live our lives? How should such a code be formulated or articulated? 6 Ontology and Epistemology are Descriptive Ethics is Prescriptive

Ethics is the study of the many, many different theories about how humans do or should form notions of right and wrong behavior. We will examine just a sample of these theories. 7

Ethics Theories Two Types of Questions What are right and wrong human behaviors? How should we think about and articulate right and wrong human behaviors? 8

Types of Ethical Reasoning I.The Pleasure/Pain Principle II.Conformity with Social Norms III.Normative Ethics A.Consequentialist Ethics B.Duty Ethics C.Virtue Ethics 9

10 I. The Pleasure/Pain Principle  Seek Pleasure and Avoid Pain Whatever is pleasurable, enjoyable, or fun is good. Whatever is painful, difficult, or stressful is bad.

The Pleasure/Pain Principle Examples Ancient: Epicureanism The greatest good is to achieve a state of tranquility that is free of want, free of pain, and free of fear. Modern: Hedonism 11

The Pleasure/Pain Principle “Sleep in. Stay up late. Give up counting calories. Have a drink before noon. Give up mineral water. Dine in shorts. Talk to strangers. Don't make your bed. Go skinny dipping. Don't call your mother. Let your hair down. Don't pay for anything. Don't leave a tip. Be your beautiful self in spectacular Negril or Runaway Bay, Jamaica.” 12

Hedonism Hugh Hefner’s “Playboy Philosophy,” which he began formulating in the 1950s, consists of two main threads: sexual liberation, as Hefner calls it, and avid consumerism. From the start, his goal has been to challenge “the two greatest guilts our society has: materialism and sex. 13

Thoughts on Hedonism? Why are these BAD? Self-interest Personal Pleasure Personal Happiness Personal Security Self-indulgence Look out for #1 Frued’s Id Why are these GOOD? Altruism Empathy Compassion Common Good Self-sacrifice Love or Kindness Frued’s Superego 14

II. Conformity to Social Norms Every culture has norms for right and wrong behavior, and every culture socializes its members to believe in and to observe those norms. Social peace, harmony, welfare, and stability depend on members conforming to those norms.  Go along to get along  Don’t rock the boat  Look, listen, and learn  Keep up with the Jones  Swim with the current  When in Rome, do as the Romans 15

16 Conformity to Social Norms How does society teach us values and norms? Family Peers Media School

17 Values we have internalized Can you list 10 ethical values that most of us have internalized thru socialization? One source offers 375 common values!

III. Normative Ethics 18

A. Consequentialist Ethics ✥ The morality of an action is determined by its consequences. ✥ The ends justify the means. Right actions are ones that lead to good consequences Wrong actions are ones that lead to bad consequences 19 So, is stealing right or wrong?

Consequentialism Cost-Benefit Analysis 20

21 Consequentialism Theories Examples 1.Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Peter Singer) ‘Act in such a way as to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number’ 2.Egoism (Ayn Rand’s Philosophy of Objectivism or Selfishness) ‘Act in such a way as to achieve the greatest good for yourself’ Ayn Rand’s thoughts on the Virtue of SelfisnessVirtue of Selfisness 3.Liberation Theology (Many Catholic leaders in Latin America)Many Catholic leaders in Latin America Act to resist oppression by the rich and powerful Act to liberate the poor from exploitation and suffering

B. Duty Ethics Duty ethics focuses on people’s obligation to engage in certain behaviors and to avoid certain behaviors, regardless of the consequences  Know the rules and obey them.  Do your duty. 22

Duty Ethics Examples Confucianism Ruler and Subject Father and Son Husband and Wife Elder Brother and Younger Brother Friend and Friend Older Generation and Younger Generation 23

Duty Ethics Examples Confucianism He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. In serving one's ruler one deals reverently with the tasks involved and makes the livelihood involved a secondary consideration Have no friends not equal to yourself. Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. Respect yourself and others will respect you. Few indeed are those who are naturally filial towards their parents and dutiful towards their elder brothers but are fond of opposing their superiors; and it never happens that those who do not like opposing their superiors are fond of creating civil disorder. 24

Duty Ethics Examples Beneficence: the duty to improve the conditions of others Self-improvement: the duty to improve our virtue and intelligence Nonmaleficence: the duty to not injure others 25 W.D. Ross Fidelity: the duty to keep promises Reparation: the duty to compensate others when we harm them Gratitude: the duty to thank those who help us Justice: the duty to recognize merit

Duty Ethics Examples Islam: Qur’an ➠ Shiria Civil Law Judaism Torah ➠ Kosher Food Rules Judaism/Christianity/Islam Bible ➠ 10 Commandments 26

27 Joe’s “Moral Duties” growing up… Go to church every Sunday. Attend the Stations of the Cross every Good Friday. Avoid impure thoughts and deeds. Abstain from meat every Friday. Do not swear. Visit the sick. Contribute to the less fortunate. Serve mass as often as possible. Do not make fun of another person. Abstain from all sweets for 40 days every lent. Memorize catechism answers and Latin prayers. Recite the rosary frequently.

C. Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics is more concerned with prescribing character traits or qualities that our lives should manifest. In any situation, a person must decide how to best do that. Lead a Virtuous Life 28

Virtue Ethics Religions that prescribe” character qualities or traits”, not obligatory behaviors. 29 Cardinal Virtues Temperance Prudence Fortitude Justice Faith Hope Charity Buddhist Divine States Loving kindness Compassion Altruism Equanimity Egyptian Ma’at Truthfulness Harmony Justice Dignity Reciprocity Integrity Compassion

More Secular Forms of Virtue Ethics 30 Boy Scouts Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Courteous Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent YWCA Empowerment Balance Diversity Joy Openness Honesty Leadership Accountability Self-care Respect Kindness Compassion 4-H Club Head (thoughtful) Heart (loyal) Hand (serving) Health (healthy living)

Virtue Ethics A Couple Examples 31

Alternative Approaches to Ethical Reasoning I. Pleasure Principle What will give me the greatest pleasure? II. Conformity to Social Norms How does society expect me to act? How do those around me behave? III. Consequentialist Ethics What behavior will lead to the best results or consequences? IV. Duty Ethics What do the laws or teachings command me to do? V. Virtue Ethics How would I best apply my virtues in this situation? 32

33 “A Theory of Just War” Because war is so horrific, humans have struggled for centuries in their efforts to justify such an action. Below are criteria that are commonly included in “Just War” theories. These criteria can frame how we think about and decide if the wars in Iraq or Afganistan are ethical or just wars. 1. Is there a just cause for fighting the war? 2. Is going to war truly a last resort? 3. Is there legitimate authority to wage war? 4. Is there a probability of success? 5. Is it clear that the war will not trigger an even greater evil than the one the war intends to eliminate? 6. Would the war spare innocent men, women, and children?

“A Theory of Just War” Because war is so horrific, humans have struggled for centuries in their efforts to justify such an action. Below are criteria that are commonly included in “Just War” theories. These criteria can frame how we think about and decide if the wars in Iraq or Afganistan are ethical or just wars. 1. Is there a just cause for fighting the war? 2. Is going to war truly a last resort? 3. Is there legitimate authority to wage war? 4. Is there a probability of success? 5. Is it clear that the war will not trigger an even greater evil than the one the war intends to eliminate? 6. Would the war spare innocent men, women, and children? 34