Ethics

• What is Ethics?

  The study of moral principles and inquiry into what "The Good" is.

  • Examines both what we should and should NOT do? Both in our dealings with ourselves and others.
  • Delves into the questions around the nature of "right" or "wrong."
• What are examples of questions relating to Ethics?

  • What is right and wrong?
  • What are my responsibilities to other people?
  • How do we know something is "Good?"
  • Can morality exist without religion?
  • Is morality subjective or objective?
• What are the Three Divisions of Ethical study?

  Ethics, Morality, and Applied Ethics.
• Define Ethics (again, sorry).

  Both the academic discipline and the study of the theoretical framework behind morality.
• Define Morality.

  The actual guiding principles we use in situations that have an ethical dimension.
• Define Applied Ethics.

  Takes the theoretical side of ethics and applies it to actual moral problems.
• Where does your Morality come from?

  • You
  • Family
  • Government
  • Religion
  • Culture
  • Society
• Define Relativism.

  Morality comes strictly from your culture, society, or civilization.
• Define Objectivism.

  There are valid principles that are morally binding on all people at all times. Also called Absolutism.
• Define Enculturation.

  The gradual acquisition of the characteristics and norms of a culture or group by a person, another culture, etc.

  • The process by which people learn the requirements of their surrounding culture and acquire appropriate values and behaviors.
• What are some points on Relativism?

  • Influences that limit, direct, or shape individuals (whether deliberately or not) include parents, other adults, and peers resulting in competence in the language, values, and rituals of the culture.
  • Moral rules evolve from the particular needs and values of a group; Therefore we should be tolerant of the practices of other groups and them of ours.
• What is the main rule on Relativism?

  There is no such thing as a universal moral code that applies to all people.

  Examples: Human Sacrifice, Genital Mutilation, Family Structure & Planning, Polygamy, Infanticide.
• What are some problems related to Relativism?

  • Should we always be tolerant of all cultural practices outside our own?
  • Tolerance seems to prescribe as a universal value for all.
  • Can we dissent with our own culture according to relativism?
• What are some points on Objectivism?

  • Universal moral rules are not dependent on person or culture.
  • Disagreement on the existence of ethical truths does not mean they do not exist.
  • Examples: Do Not Murder, Do Not Rape, Do Not Cheat, Do Not Lie.
• What are some problems related to Objectivism?

  • Ethnocentrism
  • It is hard to discern what that objective thing or rule is.
  • What happens with cultural appropriation and globalization?