Introduction to Ethics: Morality and Principles

Ethics: A Study of Morality

• Ethics is the study of what is morally right or wrong, good or bad, defining standards for human behavior.
• It's a system of moral principles emphasizing individual and societal well-being.
• Derived from the Greek word "ethos" meaning custom, habit, character, or disposition.
• Ethics involves organizing, defending, and advocating for concepts of right and wrong behavior.

Scope of Ethics

• Ethics primarily deals with principles guiding human actions, such as duties, obligations, rights, and responsibilities.
• It's concerned with normative standards of behavior, considered ideal for individuals and society.
• Questions of what, when, and where standards apply are crucial.

Why Study Ethics?

• Understand and appreciate ethical problems.
• Contribute to long-term success of ventures.
• Ethical behavior often correlates with legal compliance.

Moral Issues vs. Non-Moral Issues

• Moral issues involve uncertainty about the acceptability or appropriateness of decisions/actions, impacting well-being.
• Non-moral issues are those that don't affect the welfare of others.
• Examples of moral issues include abortion, divorce, and suicide.

Dimensions of Human Existence

• Human existence can be understood through five fundamental dimensions: physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual.

Characteristics of Moral Principles

• Universality: Apply to everyone in similar situations, regardless of beliefs.
• Prescriptiveness: Provide clear guidance on what should and shouldn't be done.
• Overriding Authority: Often outweigh other considerations.
• Impartiality: Promote fairness and equal treatment.
• Rational Justification: Grounded in reason and logic.
• Focus on Well-being: Aim to enhance human welfare and common good.
• Flexibility: Adapt to context and circumstances.
• Internalization: Deeply embedded within conscience, guiding behavior.
• Sanctions/Accountability: Violating principles can lead to guilt, shame, or social condemnation.
• Cultural/Contextual Influence: Shaped by societal norms, religious beliefs, and history.

Acts of Man vs. Human Acts

• Acts of Man: Natural, instinctive actions without self-awareness, deliberation, or consent (e.g., industrial accidents).
• Human Acts: Actions performed consciously, with free will, and consent.

Moral Act

• A moral act possesses ethical significance, judged by moral principles.
• Involves free will, intention, and knowledge of consequences. -Can be good, bad, or neutral.

Moral Responsibility

• Moral responsibility is an obligation to act ethically and be accountable for one's actions.
• Implies the ability to distinguish right from wrong and accepting accountability for choices.
• Important in ethics, law, and philosophy.

Types of Human Acts

• Commanded Acts: Actions of the mind and body ordered by the will.
• Moral/Morally Good Acts: In accordance with right reason.
• Immoral/Morally Evil Acts: Not in accordance with right reason.
• Amoral/Morally Indifferent Acts: Neither good nor evil.

Modifiers of Human Acts

• Ignorance: Lack of knowledge.
• Passions: Strong, difficult-to-control emotions.
• Fear: Unpleasant emotion caused by perceived danger.
• Violence: Behavior involving physical force intended to harm.
• Habit: Regular practice, often difficult to break.

Determinants of Morality of Human Acts

• Object (Act Itself): The specific action. Some are intrinsically good, others intrinsically evil.
• End (Intention/Purpose): The motive or reason behind the act. A good act with a bad intention can be morally wrong.
• Circumstances: Context surrounding the act (time, place, manner, consequences). They can affect moral responsibility, but cannot make an intrinsically evil act good.
• For an act to be morally good, all three determinants must be good. If even one is bad, the act is morally wrong.

Explore the foundations of ethics, the study of moral principles guiding human behavior. Understand the difference between moral and non-moral issues. Discover why studying ethics is crucial for personal and societal well-being, as well as the long-term success of ventures.