Ethics and Moral Philosophy by William K. Frankena

The terms 'ethics' and 'moral philosophy' may be used interchangeably. 'Ethics' is derived from the Greek word 'ethos' meaning 'character', while 'moral' is from the Latin 'moralis', relating to 'custom'.

The thought experiment presents a scenario where the protagonist has been trying to be a good person and do what they believe is right, but is then unjustly condemned to death by a jury of their peers. Their friends then arrange an opportunity for them to escape and go into exile with their family.

The protagonist's friends argue that they can afford the necessary bribes, the friends will not be endangered by the escape, the protagonist will enjoy a longer life in exile, the protagonist's wife and children will be better off, the friends will still be able to see the protagonist, and people generally will think the protagonist should escape.

<p>The central ethical dilemma presented is whether the protagonist should take the opportunity to escape and go into exile, even though the conviction and sentence were unjust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The thought experiment is designed to explore the complexities and nuances of ethical decision-making, highlighting how different moral considerations and principles can come into conflict in real-world situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The fact that the protagonist's friends have arranged the opportunity for them to escape and go into exile adds an additional layer of complexity to the ethical dilemma, as it introduces the consideration of loyalty, trust, and the potential consequences for the friends if the protagonist were to accept the offer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The central dilemma is whether Socrates should escape from prison, which would preserve his life and improve his family's circumstances, or remain and accept an unjust punishment, which would uphold the law but potentially undermine his personal freedom and connection with loved ones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage suggests that Socrates should consider the principles of consequentialism (weighing the positive and negative consequences of escape), deontology (his duty to uphold the law and respect judicial decisions), and virtue ethics (whether escaping aligns with the virtues he has cherished).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage states that to make a definitive decision, one would need to consider what additional information is required, whether the choice would differ if the circumstances were slightly different, and how personal values and beliefs influence the decision.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage suggests that ethics and moral philosophy are complex, requiring the analysis of conflicting principles, consideration of different perspectives, and ultimately acting according to one's deeply held convictions. It is presented as a continuous process of examining fundamental principles and making reasoned choices in complex situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage states that the dialogue of the Crito, in which Socrates addresses the question of whether he should escape, will serve as a good beginning for the study of ethics and moral philosophy. It suggests that Socrates' reasoning and decision in the Crito will provide valuable insights into the nature of ethical decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage states that one's personal values and beliefs play a significant role in how one would approach the ethical dilemma presented. It suggests that reflecting on how one's own values and convictions would influence the decision is an important aspect of engaging with the complexities of ethics and moral philosophy.</p> Signup and view all the answers