Nature of Ethics

C.D. Broad's Opinion:

"It is not part of the professional business of moral philosophers to tell people what they ought or ought not to do. . . .

Deontological Acts?

'Deon' is from the Greek word 'Duty' These theories emphasize the nature of an action. They hold that there is something inherently good or right about certain actions and wrong or bad about other actions.

What is the goal of Moral Philosophy?

Seeks to establish principles of right behavior to serve as a guide for individuals and groups. Investigates which values and virtues are important for a worthwhile life in society.

Examples of Normative Statements

Stealing is wrong. It is never permissible to lie. Exc...

How does Law and Morality Differ?

Bad intentions (mens rea) is factored into the legality of a criminal act. But, no one can be punished for only thinking bad thoughts according to the law.

Morality refers to?

Certain Customs Certain Precepts Certain Practices of Peoples and Cultures Positive or Descriptive Morality (used to describe actual beliefs and customs of a culture)

Character?

Character reflects actions that emphasize virtue. Virtue empowers character to do good. Most moral theories consider virtue important. But, virtue is not always central to all moral theories.

The ideal moral judgement

Conceptual clarity Information Rationality Impartiality Coolness Valid Moral Principles

Paradox of Ethics

Ethics is enormously important but difficult to think about clearly and responsibly. Seems like reasonable people can have reasonable disagreements on ethical issues.

What is Morality and Etiquette?

Etiquette determines what is polite social behavior. Morality determines what is correct or right social behavior.

Some philosophers make the distinction between hard experts and soft experts.

Hard Experts Mathematics Physics Chemistry Soft Experts Art Religion Politics

Morality and Law?

Laws are instituted to promote social and individual well being. Laws resolve conflicts of interest. Laws promote social harmony.

Wrong Acts?

One has an obligation or duty to refrain from doing the action. One ought not to do the action at all. It is not an act that is permissible for one to do.

2 types of right action?

Optional Act - An act not obligatory or wrong to do; not your duty to do or not to do Obligatory Act - An act you must do; you are required to do; you may not refrain from doing it.

What are some Sources of Morality?

Parents Friends Teachers Movies Music Video games

Some ways NOT to answer moral questions.

Personal preferences and opinions. Why thinking it so does not make it so. The irrelevance of statistics.

Most well-known and controversial ethicist in the philosophical world:

Peter Singer

Traits of Moral Principles

Prescriptivity, Publicity, Practicability, Overridingness, Universalizability

Moral Philosophy refers to?

Refers to philosophical or theoretical reflection on morality. Ethical theories come from moral philosophical reflections.

Ethics refers to?

Refers to the whole domain of morality and moral philosophy. Both areas are connected by common concerns in different ways through: Values, Virtues, Principles And Practices

What limitations does Religion, Law, and Etiquette have?

Religion -Rests on Authority that some people question. Law - Every social ill does not have a law and all rules cannot be enforced. Etiquette - Does not go to the depth of what is existentially important.

Ethical Assessment- four domains which evaluate rules of right conduct?

Action Consequences Character Motive

Overridingness?

An authority that takes precedence over other considerations including aesthetic, prudential and legal concerns. When principles conflict, one must override the other(s) for an action to be morally justified.

Is There Any Such Thing As Moral Expertise?

Is the layman just as likely to be an expert in moral matters as the moral philosopher?

Publicity?

Moral Principles must be known by all and must be made public. Keeping a moral principle secret would defeat the purpose of having a moral principle.

Practicability?

Moral Principles must be workable to all in the general society. Rules must not be too much for any one person. Rules must take human limitation into consideration. Difference in ethical standards occur over time and place.

Motive?

Moral actions take into account the intention or motivation of the actor prior to the act itself. The full assessment of an act considers intention or motive. Motive and intent are relevant factors in any given action.

Universalizability?

Moral principles must apply to all who are in relatively the same situation. They must apply to all evaluative judgments. They must be used consistently.

What is morality?

Morality consists of the standards that an individual or a group has about what is right and wrong or good and bad.

But Don't We Need Morality?

Morality is the force in humanity that can keep us within a human behavior that advocates decency and respect.

Morality in Religion?

Morality is usually essential to the religion's practice.

Why is Ethics Important?

Much of what we are and do is determined by our moral values, because our values shape our thoughts, feelings, exc...

What is ethics?

The philosophical study of morality. Ethics deals with morality, but it is not the same as morality. Morality is the subject matter that ethics studies. Good and bad; right and wrong.

Moral Philosophy is?

The systematic endeavor to understand moral concepts and justify moral principles and theories. Moral Philosophy analyzes concepts and terms like: right/wrong, ought, and good/evil.

What is the origin of the word "moral"?

The term comes from BOTH the Latin (meaning "mores") and the Greek (meaning "ethos"). Each derives their meaning from the idea of custom.

Supererogatory Acts?

These actions are within the range of permissible acts. These are highly altruistic acts. These are not required or obligatory acts. They exceed what morality requires. They go beyond 'the call of duty.'

Purposes of Morality?

These rules restrain our freedom in order to promote greater freedom and well being for us and for all in society.

What is Prescriptivity?

This refers to the practice or action guiding nature of morality. This trait of moral principles advises people and influences action.

What is the Need for Mortality?

Thomas Hobbes stated: Humans create a 'social contract or covenant' to create a standard of social morals to counteract our 'state of nature' as he saw humanity.

The goal of Morality?

To create happy virtuous people To create and support flourishing communities based on order and justice To provide guidelines for people to achieve the above To promote the good of morality

What are the five Moral Principles?

To keep society from falling apart To ameliorate human suffering To promote human flourishing To resolve conflict of interest justly and in a orderly manner To assign praise, blame, reward, punishment and guilt in society