ETIC 211 Introduction to Ethics Review

Introduction to Ethics

• Ethics derives from the Greek word 'ethos', meaning 'customs', 'usage', or 'characteristic'.
• It is a branch of philosophy that investigates the nature of human actions to support moral claims.
• Ethics explores morality, contributing to understanding the moral life of individuals (Beauchamp and Childress, 1994).
• Acts of Human: Actions that do not require decision-making; considered indifferent or amoral (e.g., blinking, breathing).
• Human Acts: Actions requiring decision-making; classified as good or bad (e.g., telling the truth, giving money to the poor).
• Moral Standards set guidelines for determining what is morally permissible or unacceptable.
• Morals refer to specific beliefs or attitudes regarding actions performed by individuals.

Ethical Frameworks

• Normative Ethics: Known as prescribed ethics, it offers frameworks to determine correct moral actions.
• Applied Ethics: Focuses on implementing philosophical theories into practical, everyday ethics.
• Meta-ethics: Examines the nature of ethical terms and concepts.

Categories of Standards

• Culture: Encompasses aesthetic and etiquette standards.
• Moral Standards: Define good behavior and proper conduct, often influenced by religion.
• Standards of Etiquette: Comprise traditional and conventional practices.
• Morality: Reflects personal character.
• Etiquette: Refers specifically to table manners.

Authority in Ethics

• External Authority: Rooted in societal norms, laws, religious doctrines, and cultural traditions.
• Internal Authority: Based on personal values, conscience, and individual moral perspectives.
• Laws serve to regulate behavior within society but may not align with moral standards (e.g., abortion in the U.S. vs. views of the Catholic Church).
• Moral relativism suggests that legal standards do not necessarily equate to moral ones.

Cultural Relativism

• James Rachels defines cultural relativism as an absence of objective truth in morality, positing diverse moral codes across cultures.
• He believes moral progress is achievable and that societies can enhance their moral standards over time.
• Rachels argues against accepting cultural moral beliefs without questioning, as this can hinder progress.
• Cultural beliefs and practices can differ significantly, like the acceptance of polygamy in Islam versus Christianity.

Ethical Egoism and Human Rights

• Psychological Egoism: Asserts human actions are inherently motivated by self-interest.
• Ethical Egoism: Advocates that individuals should prioritize their own interests as the highest moral principle (e.g., Ayn Rand's views on happiness).
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasizes freedom, dignity, and individual rights.

Moral Development (Kohlberg)

• Lawrence Kohlberg's theory consists of three levels and six stages of moral development:
  • Pre-Conventional Level (0-9 years): Focus on punishment and individual exchange.
  • Conventional Level (9-20 years): Emphasizes conformity and law.
  • Post-Conventional Level (20 years+): Involves social contracts and universal ethical principles.
• Good Boy/Girl Orientation: Desire for peer approval.
• Law and Order: Respect for authority and duty.

Ethical Dilemmas

• Moral dilemmas arise when confronted with conflicting interests or goods.
• Understanding the facts is crucial for addressing ethical dilemmas, often requiring creative thinking to generate alternative actions.
• Ethical decision-making involves evaluating options in line with ethical principles.
• In business ethics, a tension often exists between profit motives and community obligations.