Ethics 2 & 3 PDF

LESSON 2: THE MORAL AGENT  MORALITY Morality can be defined as the standards that an individual or a group has about what is right and wrong, good and evil. It is not imposed from outside, but innate and can even be unconscious. Used in two distinct broad senses: a descriptiv...

LESSON 2: THE MORAL AGENT  MORALITY Morality can be defined as the standards that an individual or a group has about what is right and wrong, good and evil. It is not imposed from outside, but innate and can even be unconscious. Used in two distinct broad senses: a descriptive sense and a normative sense. Descriptively to refer to a certain codes of conduct put forward by a society or a group, or accepted by an individual for his/her own behavior, or Normatively refer to a code of conduct that given specified condition, would be put forward by all rational persons.  KEY FEATURES OF MORALITY 1. People experience a sense of moral obligation and accountability. 2. Moral values and moral absolutes exist. 3. Moral law does exist. 4. Moral law is know to humans. 5. Morality is objective. 6. Moral judgments must be supported by reasons. MAN AS A MORAL AGENT Moral Agent is a being that is “capable of acting with reference to right and wrong” and can be held responsible for behavior or decisions. Intelligent being who has the power of choosing, and scope to act according to his/her choice. Moral Action - is action springs from choice, and is not necessitated either by mental propulsions or external circumstances. Moral Agent does not necessarily mean that they are successfully making moral decisions. A being capable of moral agency is one who possesses the means of judging rightly, and power to act accordingly; but whether he/she will do so or not, depends on the voluntary exercise of his/her faculties.  Aristotle was the first to discuss about moral ARISTOTLE AND responsibility. Stated that “sometimes appropriate to MORAL respond to an agent with praise or blame on RESPONSIBILITY the basis of his/her actions and/or dispositional traits of character. Discusses “only a certain kind of agent qualifies as a moral agent and is thus properly subject to ascriptions of responsibility, namely, one who possesses a capacity for decision. Moral agency is not just about which rules to follow, it comes from a way of life which Aristotle called the virtuous life, which necessitates a unison of thought and feeling.  LESSON 3: STANDARDS & DILEMMAS  MORAL NON-MORAL STANDARDS VS. STANDARDS Refer to criteria used to judge actions as right or wrong based on ethical principles Refer to criteria used to judge actions or values. They are concerned with what is considered morally acceptable or or decisions based on factors other unacceptable within a given society or than ethical considerations. These philosophical framework. include practical, aesthetic, or Honesty: Telling the truth is considered technical considerations. morally right. Examples include rules of etiquette, Justice: Ensuring fair treatment and fashion standards, rules in games, equality for all is a moral principle. and various house rules. Respect for Others: Treating others with respect and dignity is a moral expectation. TERMINOLOGIES Non-Ethical refers to things not involving ethical considerations, such as technical or aesthetic judgments. Unethical refers to actions that violate ethical principles or moral norms. Amoral denotes a lack of concern for morality or ethical issues; it's neither moral nor immoral. Immoral involves intentional actions that violate moral standards or ethical norms NON ETHICAL VALUATION Aesthetics Valuation - derived from the Greek word “aesthesis” (“sense” or “feeling”) and refers to the judgments of personal approval that we make about what we see, hear, smell, or taste. Etiquette - The term "etiquette" comes from the French word "étiquette," which means a label or ticket. Pertains to certain approval or disapproval of actions which can be relatively more trivial in nature. It is concerned with right or wrong actions, but those considered not quite grave enough to belong to the discussions on ethics. Technical Valuation - derive from the Greek word “techne” which means techniques and technical and which are often used to refer to a proper way (or right way) of doing thing but mat not necessarily be an ethical.  HOW ARE MORAL STANDARDS FORMED? Moral standards are formed through a combination of cultural influence, religious teachings, philosophical theories, social and legal systems, personal experiences, and historical factors. Each of these elements contributes to the development of the principles and norms that guide ethical behavior and decision-making in various contexts. CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL STANDARDS 1. Moral Standards involve serious wrongs or significant benefits. 2. Moral Standards ought to be preferred to other values. 3. Moral Standards are not established by authority figures. 4. Moral Standards have the trait of universalizability. 5. Moral Standards are based on impartial considerations. 6. Moral Standards are associated with special emotions and vocabulary.  TERMINOLOGIES Moral Issue: The broader topic or problem involving ethical questions (e.g., climate change). Moral Decision: The specific choice made in response to a moral issue (e.g., deciding to reduce personal carbon footprint). Moral Judgment: The evaluation or assessment of actions or situations based on moral standards (e.g., determining whether reducing emissions is sufficient action). Moral Dilemma: A situation where conflicting moral principles make it difficult to choose a clear right course of action (e.g., balancing environmental protection with economic impacts).  MORAL DILEMMAS Moral dilemmas are situations in which a person faces conflicting moral principles or values, making it difficult to decide what the right course of action is. These dilemmas often involve making choices where no option seems to fully satisfy all ethical considerations. Characteristics of Moral Dilemmas Conflict of Values - Moral dilemmas arise when there are conflicting values or principles, making it challenging to determine which moral rule should take precedence. No Clear Solution - In a moral dilemma, any choice made will involve some compromise, and none of the available options fully resolve the ethical conflict. Significant Consequences -The decisions made in moral dilemmas often have significant consequences for individuals or others involved, which adds to the difficulty of making a choice.  TYPES OF MORAL DILEMMAS Ethical Conflicts Between Duties: Example: A doctor has two patients who need a life-saving organ transplant. There is only one available organ, and the doctor must decide which patient receives it. Both patients have equally compelling reasons for needing the organ, creating a conflict between the duty to save the most lives and the duty to treat individuals fairly. Personal vs. Professional Ethics: Example: An employee discovers that a colleague is engaging in unethical behavior, such as embezzling funds. Reporting the colleague might lead to severe consequences for them, including job loss, but not reporting the behavior would mean complicity in wrongdoing. Immediate vs. Long-Term Consequences: Example: A government official must decide whether to approve a project that would bring significant economic benefits to a community but might cause long-term environmental damage. The dilemma involves choosing between immediate economic gains and long-term environmental health.  TYPES OF MORAL DILEMMAS Conflicting Moral Principles: Example: A person finds a wallet on the street with a large sum of money inside. They face the dilemma of whether to keep the money, which might significantly benefit them, or return it to its rightful owner, respecting the principle of honesty. Rights vs. Welfare: Example: In a public health crisis, a government might have to decide whether to enforce strict quarantine measures that limit personal freedoms to protect public health. This creates a conflict between individual rights and the welfare of the community. APPROACHES TO RESOLVING MORAL DILEMMAS Utilitarian Approach: Focus: Choose the option that results in the greatest overall good or the least harm. Example: In the organ transplant dilemma, a utilitarian approach might prioritize the patient who has the best chance of recovery and the longest potential lifespan. Deontological Approach: Focus: Adhere to moral rules or duties regardless of the outcomes. Example: In the case of reporting unethical behavior, a deontological approach might emphasize the duty to uphold integrity and honesty, leading to the decision to report the colleague. APPROACHES TO RESOLVING MORAL DILEMMAS Virtue Ethics: Focus: Consider what a virtuous person would do in the situation, emphasizing character and moral virtues. Example: In deciding whether to return the found wallet, virtue ethics would focus on qualities like honesty and integrity, suggesting that returning the wallet is the virtuous choice. Care Ethics: Focus: Emphasize the importance of relationships and care for others in making decisions. Example: In the public health quarantine case, care ethics might prioritize the well-being and safety of individuals and families over individual freedoms. THAT'S A WRAP