Ethics Basic Concepts Chapter 1

Questions and Answers

What is the main distinction between ethics and morality?

Ethics refers to a set of ideas and principles determining what is right and wrong in moral conduct, while morality refers to practical behavior judged according to someone's ideas about right and wrong.

What does the term 'good' relate to in ethical considerations?

Laws and rules

Achievement of goals (correct)

Costs of living

Community habits

Which of the following statements is true?

Ethics is solely about laws

What is good does not necessarily mean it is right (correct)

Morality and ethics are identical

What is right is always what is good

What are the two clusters of concepts that manifest in ethical thinking according to Meacham?

The good and the right. Signup and view all the answers

Ethics is only concerned with the realm of theory.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ethical concepts with their focus:

The good = Achievement of goals The right = Laws and rules Morality = Practical behavior judged by standards Ethics = Theoretical principles determining right and wrong Signup and view all the answers

According to Gaffney, the difference between ethics and morality is essentially between the realm of theory and the realm of ______.

practice Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Ethics

Defines ethics as principles or standards of human conduct, rooted in the Greek word "ethika," meaning character.
Morality, from the Latin "mores," refers to customs and practical behavior judged according to ideas of right and wrong.
Ethics involves the theoretical framework, while morality pertains to practical application.
Both ethics and morality center on character and habitual behavior within a community context.

Key Distinctions

Ethics guides actions by determining what is considered right and wrong.
Morality reflects actual conduct based on ethical principles.
The distinction between good (achievement of goals) and right (adherence to laws and rules) is crucial in moral philosophy.

Understanding Good and Right

Goodness is linked to outcomes and benefits, while rightness involves conformity to rules and duties.
The goodness paradigm focuses on fulfilling people’s desires and aspirations; the rightness paradigm emphasizes organization and societal regulations.
Goodness and rightness are not complementary but represent different frameworks for understanding morality.

The Concept of the Good

Goodness can be viewed instrumentally (utility) or biologically (health).
Instrumental goodness relates to how well something achieves its intended purpose, such as technology aiding communication or recreation.
Biological goodness refers to essentials for survival, like air, water, and food, emphasizing health and well-being.
Understanding what is good requires acknowledging the purpose behind it; good is defined by its context of usefulness or utility for individuals or society.

Moral Dilemmas

Identification of moral dilemmas involves recognizing situations where ethical principles conflict.
Three levels of moral dilemmas can be classified, necessitating nuanced understanding to resolve these conflicts.
Freedom is highlighted as a foundational aspect of morality, crucial for making ethical choices.