Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a moral system?
What is the primary purpose of a moral system?
What type of ethics focuses on the consequences of an action?
What type of ethics focuses on the consequences of an action?
What is the main characteristic of a moral system that is considered public?
What is the main characteristic of a moral system that is considered public?
What is the primary goal of an ethical theory?
What is the primary goal of an ethical theory?
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Which type of ethics focuses on the character of an individual?
Which type of ethics focuses on the character of an individual?
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What is the primary goal of a moral system according to Bernard Gert?
What is the primary goal of a moral system according to Bernard Gert?
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What is the central idea of Jeremy Bentham's ethics?
What is the central idea of Jeremy Bentham's ethics?
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What is the main principle of Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative?
What is the main principle of Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative?
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According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate goal of cultivating virtues?
According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate goal of cultivating virtues?
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Why is it important to study ethics, according to the text?
Why is it important to study ethics, according to the text?
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What is the lesson that can be learned from the example of the Hollerith Machine?
What is the lesson that can be learned from the example of the Hollerith Machine?
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What is the main idea behind Sophie Scholl's statement?
What is the main idea behind Sophie Scholl's statement?
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Study Notes
Types of Ethics
- Ethics is the philosophical study of morality, involving a system of rules guiding human conduct to determine right vs. wrong.
Ethical Theories
- 3 major ethical theories:
- Consequence-based Ethics (utilitarian ethics)
- Duty-based Ethics (deontological ethics)
- Character-based Ethics (virtue ethics)
Consequence-based Ethics
- Primary goal is to produce desirable outcomes for moral agents.
- Happiness is an intrinsic good, so choose actions that create the most happiness.
- Associated with Jeremy Bentham.
Duty-based Ethics
- The will to do good is an intrinsic good, regardless of outcome.
- Morality is grounded in moral agents' obligations to one another.
- Duty (moral rules) are grounded in logic and reason.
- Categorical imperative – always act on that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.
- Intent is what ultimately matters.
- Treating people as means to an end they don’t share is always unethical.
- Associated with Immanuel Kant.
Character-based Ethics
- Morality is grounded in virtues.
- Cultivating virtues makes you a better person.
- The right actions flow naturally from being virtuous.
- Virtue typically lies between extremes (vices).
- Being virtuous leads to eudaimonia – human flourishing.
- Living a good life is what ultimately matters.
- Associated with Aristotle and Elizabeth Anscombe.
Importance of Ethics
- Designing technology without a moral compass is extremely dangerous.
- Information technology has already been used to abuse people in the worst ways imaginable.
- Experts are morally beholden to the public.
- Legality is no excuse for immoral behavior.
- Professional obligations and profitability are not excuses for immoral behavior.
- Studying ethics can inspire heroism.
Morality vs. Ethics
- Morality refers to a system of rules guiding human conduct.
- Ethics is the philosophical study of morality.
Normative vs. Descriptive
- Descriptive: the way people are (facts) - studied by sociologists, psychologists, etc.
- Normative: the way people should be (values) - studied by ethicists.
Moral System
- A system of principles for evaluating moral rules.
- Purpose: prevent or alleviate harm and suffering, and possibly promote human flourishing.
- Characteristics: public (everyone knows the rules), informal (not enforced by law), rational (based on logical principles), and impartial (equitable application to all participants).
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Description
Test your knowledge on morality and ethics, exploring the difference between normative and descriptive approaches. Learn how sociologists, psychologists, and ethicists evaluate human conduct and principles. This quiz covers the purpose of moral systems, including preventing harm and promoting human flourishing.
