Introduction to Ethics

Definition of Ethics

• Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values that govern human behavior
• It involves systematic reflection on moral beliefs and practices, and the principles that guide them

Types of Ethics

• Descriptive Ethics: examines the moral values and principles of individuals, groups, or cultures
• Normative Ethics: deals with the question of how people ought to act, and what moral principles they should follow
• Applied Ethics: applies ethical principles to specific fields or issues, such as medical ethics, business ethics, or environmental ethics

Ethical Theories

• Consequentialism: moral rightness depends on the consequences of an action (e.g. utilitarianism)
• Deontology: moral rightness depends on the action itself, regardless of its consequences (e.g. Kantianism)
• Virtue Ethics: moral character is more important than moral rules or consequences

Ethical Principles

• Respect for Autonomy: respect individuals' ability to make their own decisions
• Non-Maleficence: do no harm to others
• Beneficence: act to benefit others
• Justice: treat individuals fairly and equally
• Veracity: tell the truth

Ethical Dilemmas

• Moral Absolutism: the belief that certain moral principles are absolute and unchanging
• Moral Relativism: the belief that moral principles vary depending on the situation or culture
• Cultural Relativism: the belief that moral principles vary depending on the culture

Ethical Decision-Making

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: weighing the potential benefits against the potential costs of an action
• Moral Reasoning: applying ethical principles and theories to a situation
• Reflective Equilibrium: reconciling conflicting moral intuitions and principles

Professional Ethics

• Confidentiality: maintaining the privacy of clients or patients
• Informed Consent: obtaining consent from individuals before proceeding with a action
• Conflict of Interest: avoiding situations that compromise one's professional judgment

Definition of Ethics

• Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values governing human behavior, involving systematic reflection on moral beliefs and practices.

Types of Ethics

• Descriptive Ethics examines moral values and principles of individuals, groups, or cultures.
• Normative Ethics deals with how people ought to act and what moral principles they should follow.
• Applied Ethics applies ethical principles to specific fields or issues, such as medical ethics, business ethics, or environmental ethics.

Ethical Theories

• Consequentialism holds that moral rightness depends on the consequences of an action, e.g., utilitarianism.
• Deontology posits that moral rightness depends on the action itself, regardless of its consequences, e.g., Kantianism.
• Virtue Ethics emphasizes moral character as more important than moral rules or consequences.

Ethical Principles

• Respect for Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' ability to make their own decisions.
• Non-Maleficence is the principle of doing no harm to others.
• Beneficence involves acting to benefit others.
• Justice demands treating individuals fairly and equally.
• Veracity requires telling the truth.

Ethical Dilemmas

• Moral Absolutism is the belief that certain moral principles are absolute and unchanging.
• Moral Relativism holds that moral principles vary depending on the situation or culture.
• Cultural Relativism posits that moral principles vary depending on the culture.

Ethical Decision-Making

• Cost-Benefit Analysis involves weighing the potential benefits against the potential costs of an action.
• Moral Reasoning applies ethical principles and theories to a situation.
• Reflective Equilibrium reconciles conflicting moral intuitions and principles.

Professional Ethics

• Confidentiality requires maintaining the privacy of clients or patients.
• Informed Consent involves obtaining consent from individuals before proceeding with an action.
• Conflict of Interest requires avoiding situations that compromise one's professional judgment.

Learn about the basics of ethics, including its definition, types, and principles that guide human behavior and moral values.