Ethical Dilemmas and Theoretical Approaches

Identifying Ethical Dilemmas and Theoretical Approaches

• Consequentialism, promoted by thinkers like Bentham and Singer, focuses on outcomes; the morally correct action maximizes good or minimizes suffering.
• Deontologists prioritize adherence to moral rules, such as honesty and fairness, regardless of outcomes.
• Virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of moral virtues, like courage and compassion, guiding ethical behavior.

Concept of Personal Integrity

• Personal integrity involves upholding ethical beliefs despite external pressures.
• An example includes a public relations professional facing pressure to distort a story for corporate gain.

Presenting and Critiquing Moral Judgment

• Analyzing ethical situations through various theoretical frameworks helps in understanding moral judgments.
• Nozick’s "Experience Machine" reveals that most people value authenticity and real relationships over merely pleasure-seeking.
• Singer challenges the belief that physical distance diminishes moral responsibility, arguing for global accountability to prevent suffering.

Broadening Moral Perspective and Obligation

• Singer advocates for a moral obligation that transcends geographical boundaries; affluent individuals should alleviate global suffering.
• Railton’s analysis in "Alienation, Consequentialism, and the Demands of Morality" discusses how consequentialist ethics can alienate individuals from personal values.

Practicing Ethical Problem-Solving

• Hooker’s "Ideal Code, Real World" emphasizes the necessity of adapting ethical principles to navigate complex real-life scenarios.

Overview of Ancient Philosophy

• Ancient philosophy spans from 600 BCE to 500 CE, with key figures like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics exploring life, knowledge, and morality.
• Socratic Method encourages self-reflection to ensure ethical living.
• Plato’s Theory of Forms argues that ideals like justice exist in pure form, guiding moral aspirations.
• Aristotle’s virtue ethics focuses on becoming a virtuous person through the development of good character traits.
• Zeno of Citium claims happiness is achieved by accepting external conditions and managing personal responses.

Early Modern Philosophy Overview

• Early Modern thinkers emphasized reason and evidence, laying foundations for contemporary science and politics.
• Descartes introduced skepticism, advocating for obtaining proof as a basis for knowledge, encapsulated in "I think, therefore I am."
• Locke emphasized experiential knowledge and natural rights as fundamental to human rights concepts.
• Kant's categorical imperative demands actions respect others' autonomy and could be universalized.
• Utilitarianism, promoted by Bentham and Mill, emphasizes actions that produce the greatest happiness for the majority.

Application of Ethical Theories

• Ethical theories guide real-life decision-making:
  • Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their outcomes and happiness production.
  • Deontology stresses duty and moral principles over consequences.
  • Virtue ethics promotes the development of good character.
• Rawls’ Theory of Justice advocates fairness and equality, suggesting decisions be made without bias from personal status.

Understanding Ethics

• Ethics examines morality, seeking to establish principles that guide human conduct in various contexts.
• Moral values are standards defining right and wrong.
• Major ethical theories include deontological, consequentialist, and virtue ethics.

Philosophical Study of Ethics

• Bentham’s utilitarianism assesses actions by their ability to create happiness, reflecting public policy implications.
• Nozick posits that personal growth and authentic experiences are essential alongside happiness.
• Rawls’ theory emphasizes societal fairness, especially for the disadvantaged.
• Williams critiques consequentialism, advocating for personal integrity over merely beneficial outcomes.
• Singer stresses a moral duty to assist those in poverty globally.

Moral and Ethical Values

• Key moral values include:
  • Honesty: Truthful and transparent actions.
  • Justice: Fair treatment and equality.
  • Compassion: Empathetic actions to alleviate suffering.
  • Courage: Upholding moral principles against fear.
  • Respect: Valuing the dignity and autonomy of others.

Moral Intuitions and Critical Reasoning

• Moral intuitions serve as instinctive judgments of right or wrong without deep deliberation.
• Critical reasoning involves careful thought and exploring all sides of ethical dilemmas.
• Distinguishing between moral sentiments, such as empathy or guilt, and moral principles, which are guidelines for ethical decisions.

Explore the major ethical theories including consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. This quiz will also examine the concept of personal integrity and the critique of moral judgments. Challenge your understanding of how these frameworks apply to real-world scenarios.