15 Questions
What is the root meaning of the term 'ethics'?
Custom or habit
According to the Greeks, what did 'ethics' refer to?
The appropriate or customary way to behave in society
What does the term 'ethical' mean?
Conforming to the accepted standards of social or professional behaviour
What is the aim of ethics as a branch of moral philosophy?
To determine the meaning of right and wrong
What fundamental questions does ethics lead us to?
What makes an action the right, rather than the wrong, thing to do
In the ethical scenario of witnessing a car crash, who should you save according to the text?
Your friend
In the ethical scenario of the concentration camp, what should the girl do according to the text?
Steal from someone else
In the ethical scenario of being lost at sea, what action should you take according to the text?
Sacrifice one to save the others
In the ethical scenario of Tom and Joe, is Joe's failure as bad as Tom's action according to the text?
Yes, Joe's failure is as bad as Tom's action
In the ethical scenario of the fat man and the dynamite, what should you do according to the text?
Use the dynamite to save the group
According to the given ethical scenarios, what action should be taken when faced with the dilemma of saving one person at the cost of another's life?
Save the person with the expertise or potential to save more lives in the future
In the given ethical dilemma involving Joe and Tom, what distinguishes Joe's failure from Tom's action?
Joe's failure is not as bad as Tom's action because Joe did not directly cause his wife's death
In the ethical scenario of the fat man stuck in the cave, what is the most ethical course of action?
Use the stick of dynamite to save the group from drowning, even if it results in the fat man's death
How do you decide what is right or wrong, according to the provided text?
By considering the consequences and potential impact on others
What does the text imply about the nature of ethics and moral choices?
Ethics is about the values, reasons, and language behind moral choices
Study Notes
Root Meaning of 'Ethics'
- The term 'ethics' originates from the Greek word 'ethos', meaning character or custom.
Greek Interpretation of Ethics
- For the Greeks, ethics referred to the moral character of individuals and the customs of society.
Meaning of 'Ethical'
- The term 'ethical' is used to describe actions or decisions that align with principles of right and wrong.
Aim of Ethics
- The primary aim of ethics, as a branch of moral philosophy, is to understand what constitutes a good life and to establish criteria for moral behavior.
Fundamental Questions of Ethics
- Ethics leads to fundamental questions, such as:
- What is the nature of good?
- How should we act in various situations?
- What are our moral obligations to others?
Ethical Scenario: Car Crash
- In the scenario of witnessing a car crash, the ethical decision may involve saving the most people possible rather than focusing on a single individual.
Ethical Scenario: Concentration Camp
- In the scenario involving a concentration camp, the girl should ideally take action that reflects moral courage, despite her circumstances.
Ethical Scenario: Lost at Sea
- When lost at sea, one should take actions that enhance their chances of survival, considering both personal and potential rescue efforts.
Ethical Scenario: Tom and Joe
- Joe's failure in the context differs from Tom's action as it implies inaction rather than a deliberate harmful behavior; thus, they are not morally equivalent.
Ethical Scenario: Fat Man and Dynamite
- The right choice involves determining the least harmful action, potentially stopping a greater disaster, which means sacrificing personal comfort or safety when necessary.
Dilemma of Saving One Life vs. Another
- Ethical dilemmas require evaluating the greatest good; saving one person at the cost of another’s life demands close consideration of circumstances and consequences.
Distinction Between Joe's Failure and Tom's Action
- Joe's failure represents a lack of action, while Tom's action signifies a choice that caused harm, marking a distinct moral alignment between omission and commission.
Ethical Course of Action: Fat Man in Cave
- The most ethical response in the cave scenario may involve assessing the impact of actions on the group’s survival and considering collective welfare over individual dilemmas.
Deciding Right from Wrong
- Decisions about right or wrong can often be guided by rational thought, moral principles, and the potential outcomes of one’s actions.
Nature of Ethics and Moral Choices
- Ethics suggests that moral choices are not always clear-cut and demands a continual evaluation of context, consequences, and underlying principles.
Test your understanding of key ethical theories and principles in religion and ethics with this quiz. Explore concepts such as Divine Command Theory, Virtue Theory, and Ethical Egoism, and delve into key ethical questions to develop your critical thinking skills. Engage in a task to express your thoughts on objective standards of good/bad and right/wrong.
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