Ethics: Confucianism and Utilitarianism

Introduction to Lecture Series

• The lecture series is titled "History and Ethics of Medicine and Medical Technology"
• The first lecture took place on October 11, 2023
• The professor is Dr. Bettina Hitzer
• This is lecture 1 of the series

About the Professor

• Dr. Hitzer is a historian, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries
• She directs the "History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine" department
• Her current research projects include the history of cancer, the history of child adoption, and the history of emotions

Moodle Course Information

• The course is available on Moodle
• The course URL is: https://elearning.ovgu.de/course/view.php?id=15446
• Topics for the course include: Basic Information and Timetable, Teaching Goals of the Module, and Principles of Ethical Engineering (Lecture 1)
• Ankündigungen (Announcements) are also available

Interactive Lectures

• Interactive lectures are planned
• Participation tasks include quizzes, surveys, group exercises, and individual exercises
• Students are encouraged to ask questions

Written Exam Information

• The written exam will be held on January 31, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
• The exam location is House 50, room H3
• The exam format includes 50% multiple-choice questions and 50% other writing exercises
• The exam material is based on lectures and seminar sessions

Today's Agenda (Lecture 17)

• The agenda includes:
  • Basics and Terminology
  • Virtue Ethics
  • Deontology
  • Teleology and Utilitarianism

Terminology: Clarifications (Lecture 21)

• The professor clarifies the difference between morality and ethics, noting that morality is not equal to ethics.
• Morality relates to norms and rules accepted in a group. Ethics is the theory and reflection on morality.

Terminology: Clarifications (Lecture 24)

• Introduces the relationship between morality, law, and ethics
• Morality represents good behavior in a specific setting. Law represents fixed rules for all members of a group or society, Ethics is the theoretical thinking and reflection on morality

How to Decide (Lecture 25)

• This section describes the process of decision-making by considering expert knowledge, legal regulations, and moral considerations.

Types of Ethical Reasoning (Lecture 26)

• Explains the classification of ethical systems (normative, descriptive, meta-ethics, moral philosophy, applied ethics, political ethics, ethics in healthcare, ethics in engineering, research ethics, ethics and environment, care ethics) with a detailed tree structure
• The section also contains the subcategories of these main fields. including ethical considerations related to biomechanical engineering

3 Types of Ethical Reasoning (Lecture 27)

• Explains the major types of ethical reasoning – Virtue Ethics, Deontology, and Utilitarianism

Virtue Ethics (Lecture 28)

• Focuses on the agent's character and virtues, as contrasted with ethics of doing.
• Explores what defines a morally good person

Virtue Ethics in Greece (Lecture 31)

• Aristotle is a major focus, particularly his term for the highest good: eudaimonia
• Eudaimonia is described as living a good life, and means expressing qualities and good behavior.
• It's derived from the Greek (eû-"good" or "well") and (daímōn-"dispenser, tutelary spirit")

Virtue Ethics in Greece (Lecture 32)

• Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia
• Definition of eudaimonia.
• Connection between living a good life, happiness and being 'happy'

Virtue Ethics in Greece (Lecture 34)

• Aristotle's approach to virtue, emphasizing the attainment of excellence (arete) in reason
• Virtue ethics can be divided into moral virtues and intellectual virtues.

Virtue Ethics in Greece (Lecture 35)

• Four key moral virtues discussed are prudence, temperance, courage, and justice

Virtue Ethics (Lecture 36)

• Introduces the concept of the "golden mean"—the desirable middle ground between two extremes
• Courage is the example used.

Virtue Ethics in Greece (Lecture 37)

• Five key intellectual virtues discussed: wisdom, scientific knowledge, rational intuition, practical wisdom, and craft knowledge

Virtue Ethics in Confucianism (Lecture 38)

• The lecture discusses the philosophy of Confucius
• The significance of the Dao (a concept of the way to follow).
• Focus on self-cultivation and examples of morality

Confucian Virtue Ethics (Lecture 39)

• If virtues and rituals are applied to people, they will develop a sense of shame, and thus become good.

Virtue Ethics in Confucianism (Lecture 40)

• Five cardinal Confucian virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom/knowledge, and fidelity/integrity

Virtue Ethics in Buddhism (Lecture 41)

• Can Buddhist principles be categorized as virtue ethics?
• Explanation of samskāras (mental dispositions, habits, tendencies) in Buddhism
• How moral action affects samskāras

Virtue Ethics in Buddhism (Lecture 42)

• Moral action in Buddhism and its impact on samskāras

Buddhist Virtue Ethics (Lecture 43)

• Examination of a specific Buddhist ethical viewpoint (in relation to virtuous deeds impacting the actor )

Virtue Ethics in Buddhism (Lecture 44)

• Key vices in Buddhism include greed, hatred, and delusion/ignorance (often expressed as the Three Poisons)

Virtue Ethics in Buddhism (Lecture 45)

• Three key virtues in Buddhism: non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion

Virtue Ethics: Criticism (Lecture 46)

• Common criticisms of virtue ethics include its lack of consideration for the effects of actions and the potential for conflicts among virtue systems

Virtue Ethics Today (Lecture 47)

• Discusses how virtue ethics can be applied to changes and technologies affecting human life

Virtue Ethics Today (Lecture 48)

• Details of contemporary application of virtue ethics, including the importance of constantly considering relevant moral implications related to technology.
• A term to describe this is 'technomoral' virtues

Virtue Ethics Resources (Lecture 49)

• Provides links to audio or video resources related to virtue ethics

Short Quiz (Lecture 50)

• A short quiz will test the understanding of the materials presented.

Today's Agenda (Lecture 51)

• Agenda for a lecture, including sections for: Basics and Terminology, Virtue Ethics, Deontology, Teleology, and Utilitarianism

Deontology (Lecture 52)

• The meaning of 'deon' (Greek) -duty, obligation
• A focus on norms, rules, applicable principles, and actions permitted or prohibited by those norms
• Consequences of actions are not considered crucial to determining their ethical goodness or badness

Ten Commandments (Lecture 54)

• A historical illustration of the deontological approach to ethics, through the Ten Commandments

Kantian Deontology (Lecture 55)

• Discusses the philosophy of Immanuel Kant
• The idea that human happiness/desires may not always be a solid basis for determining right from wrong.
• A focus on providing a guideline for moral actions

Categorical Imperative (Lecture 56)

• Kant's concept for determining moral action: to act only in accordance with the maxim that it can become a universal law

Humanity as an End (Lecture 57)

• Kant's principle regarding treating humanity as an end, and not merely as a means.

Deontology: Criticism (Lecture 58)

• Deontology is criticised for its lack of consideration for specific contexts and the outcome of actions

Teleology and Utilitarianism (Lecture 59)

• Introduction to the subject of Teleology

Teleology (Lecture 61)

• Definition of Teleology
• Emphasizes the importance of action consequences in determining morality (good or bad)

Jeremy Bentham (Lecture 62)

• Details about Jeremy Bentham's background as a philosopher, jurist, and social reformer
• He was opposed to slavery, capital/physical punishment and was an early advocate for animal rights

Utilitarianism (Lecture 63)

• Explanation of Bentham's philosophy: human nature, motivations driven by self-interest, and pursuit of happiness

Utilitarianism Axiomatic Principle (Lecture 64)

• The belief that "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" is the primary guiding principle

Utilitarianism Today (Lecture 65)

• Utilitarianism is based on the principles of considering consequences of actions, applying a perspective of equality across all sentient beings - and embracing a future-focused, inclusive approach that acknowledges differing circumstances

Utilitarianism: Criticism (Lecture 66)

• Issues related to assigning numerical values to happiness, overlooking minority rights, considering all means justified with the perceived benefit of the greater number, and issues when outcomes differ from projections.

Utilitarianism Today: Peter Singer (Lecture 67)

• An Australian philosopher and professor a Princeton and his controversial role and position in Utilitarianism

Peter Singer's Utilitarianism (Lecture 68)

• Details of Peter Singer's perspective on Utilitarianism.
  • Equal consideration of interests.
  • Rejection of fundamental rights limiting this pursuit.
  • Human personhood tied to capacity for preferences.
  • Acknowledging that individuals might lack personhood (i.e. foetuses, those in coma).

A Difficult Situation (Lecture 69)

• An example of an ethical dilemma is presented for consideration.

A Difficult Situation (Lecture 70)

• Instructions for an assessment task relating to the ethical dilemma. Specific tasks are detailed

Next Session (Lecture 72)

• Details about the next session scheduled for October 18th, 2023.
• The title of the next session.

Test your understanding of ethical concepts from Confucianism and utilitarianism. This quiz covers key virtues, criticisms, and principles related to these philosophical frameworks. Explore how these ethical theories address human behavior and happiness.