Ethics EthicsThe study of morality using the tools

Ethics � Ethics—The study of morality using the tools and methods of philosophy � Normative ethics—The search for, and justification of, moral standards, or norms � Metaethics—The study of the meaning and justification of basic moral beliefs � Applied ethics—The use of moral norms and concepts to resolve practical moral issues

The Moral Domain � Overridingness � Impartiality � Universality � Reasonableness

Obligations and Values � Moral obligations concern our duty—our actions. � Moral values concern things we judge to be morally good, bad, praiseworthy, or blameworthy—character or motives. � Actions are morally right or wrong. � Persons are morally good or bad.

Moral Principles �An absolute principle applies without exceptions. �A prima facie principle applies in all cases unless an exception is warranted.

Law and Religion �Legal Norms v. Moral Norms �Legal Moralism �Divine Command Theory �The Arbitrariness Problem

Ethical Relativism � Subjective Relativism—The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person � Cultural Relativism—The view that right actions are those sanctioned by one’s culture � Moral Objectivism—The view that there are moral norms or principles that are valid or true for everyone

Arguments � Argument—At least one statement (premise) providing support for another statement (conclusion) � Deductive argument—An argument intended to give logically conclusive support to its conclusion � Inductive argument—An argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion

Reading and Evaluating Arguments 1. Approach the text with an open mind. 2. Read actively and critically. 3. Identify the conclusion first, then the premises.

Moral Argument � A moral argument is one whose conclusion is a moral statement. � A moral argument has (1) at least one moral premise and (2) at least one nonmoral premise.

Moral Premises � They can be supported by: �Other moral principles �Moral theories �Considered moral judgments � They can be criticized through: �Counterexamples

Ring of Gyges In this dialogue from The Republic, Glaucon argues that people always act not out of a sense of justice but of a desire to promote their own self-interest. If people act justly, he says, they do so out of concern for themselves; they would rather be successful than just. To make his case, Glaucon tells the story of Gyges the shepherd. Socrates answers that we should strive to be just because ultimately it is to our advantage to do so.