Ethics Lesson 1: Introduction to Ethics

Understanding Ethics

• Ethics, derived from the Greek word ‘ethos’, means character or conduct and is a branch of philosophy focusing on morality.
• It encompasses various areas such as goodness, right action, applied ethics, meta-ethics, moral psychology, and the metaphysics of moral responsibility.
• The Latin word ‘rectus’, meaning ‘straight’ or ‘according to rule’, informs the concept of 'right,' highlighting the principles guiding correct conduct.

Nature and Scope of Ethics

• Ethics serves as a guideline for human behavior, focusing on concepts of right, obligations, fairness, and specific virtues.
• Ethical language includes terms like 'proper', 'fair', and 'just', which relate to moral evaluations.
• As a normative science, ethics centers on what should be done rather than merely observing facts, contrasting with positive sciences, which explain occurrences through causal relationships.
• Ethics deals with moral ideals without investigating the origins of human conduct, instead emphasizing motives, intentions, and voluntary actions connected to moral consciousness.

Characteristics of Ethics

• Ethics is distinct from practical sciences, which provide means to achieve specific goals; ethics is about guiding towards moral judgment rather than practical outcomes.
• Unlike art, which focuses on skill development to produce outputs, ethics revolves around intrinsic goodness as an end.
• Ethics unfolds in various spheres, including moral, social, religious, and political, each addressing different ideals and societal influences.

Ethical Spheres

• In the moral sphere, ethics critically examines various ideals from different thinkers regarding virtues and vices in human interactions.
• In the social sphere, it critiques institutions and customs, offering moral insights and suggestions for necessary reforms.
• The religious sphere indicates that religion aligns with pre-established moral and spiritual principles, enhancing values and virtues.
• Political considerations reflect that moral conduct is essential in politics, as all political actions are ultimately evaluated against moral ideals.

Importance of Moral Responsibility

• Ethical principles direct individuals towards taking responsibility for their actions, which fosters accountability in society.
• Understanding ethics fosters a collective sense of duty and cultivates an environment where moral choices contribute positively to individual and societal well-being.