Applied Ethics Stealing Recap Utilitarianism Kantian Ethics Virtue

Applied Ethics – Stealing Recap Utilitarianism Kantian Ethics Virtue Ethics

Homework / Cover Work – Due Today Flipped Learning - Read through the notes on Simulated Killing and summarise three main ethical approaches. You will need this for next lesson. Consolidation Work – Answer the following 12 mark questions: 1. Explain how Kantian Ethics deals with the issue of eating animals. 2. How do Utilitarian's approach lying? 3. Why do Virtue Ethicists consider stealing to be generally wrong?

Simulated Killing Key Question: What effect does simulated killing have on society, on the individuals who enjoy it, and on those involved in making it? Why might people have an issue with simulated killing?

Two Points of Discussion Watching simulated killing Playing the killer

Moral Vs Immoral Depictions of Killing Another thing that is worth pointing out is the way that killing is portrayed in the media we consume. It is either depicted as a moral action or immoral action: - If the killing depicted is immoral (a killer in a crime drama for example) and is portrayed in a way that does not attempt to glorify the violence, we could make the argument that none of the ethical theories would have an issue with this. Instead it could be used as a learning opportunity – showing why killing is morally wrong. - If the killing depicted is glorified or morally praised / neutral (many action films / computer games) we may however have a problem. If there is nothing clearly wrong with the way the act is portrayed then what effect does this have on the morality of the simulation?

Two Issues • We may start by saying that if simulated killing is wrong its not for the same reasons that actual killing is wrong. But we could still ask if there is something wrong with the depiction of or taking part in (sometimes quite graphic) simulated deaths. • Why are we OK with viewing / playing these types of scenarios whilst other morally questionable topics are off limits? • Why does there seem to be a difference in how we feel morally depending on how the scene is depicted? • Does simulated killing have any effect on the way people treat others in real life? • Is there a link between violent video games / movies and actual violence?

Applied Ethics – Kant Simulated Killing

Deontology • Think back to Kant on animals – direct & indirect duties. • Simulated killing doesn’t treat anyone as simply a means to an end. • However, does it affect how we are likely to treat others? • If yes, then S. K. is bad • If no, then S. K. is morally permissible, but not good

Deontology – How might simulated killing effect how we treat others? • We could argue that cultivating cruelty and an indifference to virtual suffering through simulated killing could make us more likely to treat others as a means to an end in real life. We could become more violent and likely to harm others. (Kant notes that, at the time he was writing, butchers and doctors were not allowed to serve on English juries because they were thought to be hardened to suffering and death). • But does the evidence support this? Current research has not reached a consensus, different tests have demonstrated different results.

Applied Ethics – UT Simulated Killing

Utilitarianism • All pleasures matter equally. • No entertainments are intrinsically wrong (or right), no matter how much S. K. they involve. • Wrong / right is determined purely by pain / pleasure balance. • So they would calculate the pleasure / pain balance for S. K.

The calculation Pleasure • Very popular – lots of people enjoy • Secondary pleasures from sharing with others • Successful industry – creates jobs • Develops motor-neurone skills • Violent crime has decreased over last 20 years in UK Pain • Some studies show a link in violent individuals and their use of S. K. entertainments • Could have secondary harmful effects on health (not enough exercise etc. ) • People disapprove, feel offended - sadness

Higher / lower pleasures • Could it be that video games etc. are a ‘lower’ pleasure? • Many would argue that computer games / violent movies are a childish pleasure, and something that would not count as ‘higher’ for an adult. • But are they really lower pleasures? Contrast with something like binge drinking? Some movies with killing and video games have been highly praised as works of art. • We could also ask how we calculate the overall effect of it as a lower pleasure? If it is still not harming anyone else does it matter?

Offense • Some people are offended by the very existence of these types of games and movies. • UT must take their displeasure into account when calculating Utility. • If alternative methods of entertainment produce the same amount of pleasure / pain, should we use those instead? • But if we start to base morality on whether someone is offended by something, this may open up the floodgates for a lot more issues. • Mill would argue it is a matter of liberty that we are allowed to do as we wish as long as we do not harm (and offense is a fairly minor harm) others.

Applied Ethics – VE Simulated Killing

Virtue Ethics • Looks at the effect it has on character – is it actively getting in the way of achieving Eudaimonia? • What are your instincts? • Mc. Cormick: Computer games, even if no-one is harmed, still affect our character. • We are ‘eroding away’ the virtues by pretending to harm people. • No need to show an empirical link! • Habituation – We are habituating negative, excessive and wrongful actions. This means our character will change accordingly! Could we not be doing something more valuable with our time?

• Films & plays • Aristotle: Plays could have a cathartic effect on the viewer, allows them to better deal with tragedy / problems in their own lives. • Release tensions and emotions built up in life throughout the play / film. • We are thrilled by emotions like fear, but don’t want to experience them for real in life, so plays and films give us a safe ‘simulation’ in which to have these experiences. • However habituation is still important! Will we want more once we’ve been through this process once? If so, at what point has it become too much? • Links into the psychological study showing that general empathy levels are decreasing.

Tips for 12 mark questions • Make it logical – start by outlining the relevant bits of theory • Then say how it relates to the particular issue at hand • Be as detailed as possible in your explanation • If it doesn’t ask for ‘one way’ a theory might respond, mention another possibility, if you know two. • But make sure you have enough of the core detail! • Be precise – make the exact point, using the exact words • Don’t repeat yourself • Be succinct – to the point

12 mark question Outline how a virtue ethicist might respond to the issue of viewing simulated killing for entertainment