ETHICS TOK 12 What is Ethics A way

ETHICS TOK 12

What is “Ethics” A way to answer controversial topics. Forces us to confront our inherent values. Answers questions without a straight forward answer. Our job: To discuss the nature and limitations of ethical thought.

Moral Reasoning Is it more than just your personal taste or preference? What makes it different? Moral reasoning requires value judgements. Justification and reasoning for your decision or choices.

Moral Principle We appeal to a commonly held principle, and apply to situation to it… Cheating on a test is wrong. Tom cheated on a test. Therefore what Tom did was wrong. As a table, State the assumed principle in each of the following: Paula shouldn’t have kept the money she found – it doesn’t belong to her. James was caught bullying his classmates – he deserves to be punished. The president accepted bribes, therefore he should be thrown out of office.

Moral Consistency There is an expectation for people to be consistent in their moral judgements. To what extent do you think the following individuals are morally inconsistent? (discuss as a table) An anti-abortionist who supports the death penalty. A socialist who educates his family at a private school. A vegetarian who owns leather shoes. A politician who advocates for family values, but as an extra-marital affair. What are some issues in trying to determine moral consistency.

Facts can be used to support the effectiveness of a moral argument. Look at the following moral argument, and thinks of some facts that help support the argument. Child labor should be outlawed. Cannabis should be legalized. Genetically modified food should be banned. In a moral argument, can both sides of the argument have supporting facts?

Where do our morals come from? As a group, list 5 locations/people/places, who use to help develop your moral principles. BE prepared to share them out to create a universal classroom list.

Moral relativism States that our ethics/morality is determined by the society we grow up in. There are not moral absolutes, but simply a set of rules passed down through culture, customs and conventions. Just like we choose to drive on the right side of the road, other may choose to drive on the left. The same distinction could occur over monogamy and polygamy, our why some cultures eat pork and others do not.

Answer the following within your table: 1. Do you think there is a difference between moral values and customs or conventions? 2. Which of the following would you say are morally wrong, and which would say are simply matters of convetion? A)You should not burn your country’s flag B) A man should not go to work wearing a dress C) You should not persecute minority groups D) You should not torture the innocent. E) You should not use dead people for dog food. F) You should not execute murders. J) You should not eat meat. 3. To what extent do you think you can predict someone’s moral beliefs from a knowledge of their cultural background?

Does relativism imply tolerance? Relativism allows for individual groups to have separate moral principles. It states that individuals/societies should not impose their own morals on others. Does this principle lead to tolerance? Why or why not?

Arguments against moral relativism. Are there some universally accept moral rights? What are they? How do we account for accepted “moral rights” that have murdered millions – think of the cultural revolution in China. The individual is capable of making their own moral judgements without the consent of the society they are surrounded by. The individual is allowed to be a skeptic, and hold their own values regardless of those around them.

Self-Interest Theory Argues that all humans are inherently, selfish. That we will always act in our own best interest. It is the opposite of moral behavior. “You are being selfish when you do what you want to do, and you always end up doing what you want to do – otherwise you wouldn’t do it. ” Lets compare Donald Trump v Mother Theresa of Calcutta. What are they best known for? Why did they do this? Were they both being selfish

Self-Interest Continued We are created through evolution. Evolution rewarded our own self-interest and the continuation of species. Without being selfish we are doomed as a species, so it is required that we be selfish.

Self-Interest Continued We do activities because of the hidden benefits of those actions. We are kind because we appreciate the gratitude. We help those around so they will return the favor. Even are “selfless actions” have an ulterior motive, that is selfish in nature.

Self-Interest…last slide, I promise The fear of punishment. We do actions, because we are fearful of the consequence. It is in our best interest to avoid the consequences, therefore we only act to avoid the consequence of that back action. Think of an action you do on a daily basis, that you avoid due to fear of consequences…