EthicsChapter 12

Ethics The moral principles

governing or influencing conduct

The branch of knowledge concerned with moral principles

Ethics is the study of morals

A simple model of moral reasoning Moral Principle: the principles of right

and wrong that are accepted by an individual or social group

Fact: the information or facts that are specific to an argument

(You can agree on facts and still make different value judgments.)

Value-judgment: A judgment made based on a particular set of values

Disagreements about moral principles If we all share the same underlying

moral principles, there is likely to be plenty of scope for moral reasoning.

What is someone has a whole set of values that are diametrically opposed to our own? Can you convince them of your position?

2 Threats to Ethics1. Moral Relativism

2. Self-Interest Theory

Moral Relativism: Our values are

determined by the society we grow up in – there are no universal values

2 arguments FOR Moral Relativism The diversity

argument There are so

many different moral practices, that it seems impossible to have objective moral values.

The lack of foundations argument There is no

common moral reality to test our values to see if they are true or false.

Which of the following would you say are morally wrong and which would you say are simply a matter of conventions?

You should not burn your country’s flag A man should not go to work wearing a

dress A woman should not have more than 1

husband You should not eat meat

2 Arguments AGAINST Moral Relativism There are some

core values that have been accepted by all cultures. Ex: Every society

has some kind of rule to limit violence, protect property and promote honesty.

We can justify our values.

(use caution) Some core values

are intuitively obvious. (Intuition)

Ex: random torture is wrong

Self-Interest Theory Human beings are

always and everywhere selfish.

Even if there are objective moral values, we are incapable of living up to them.

4 Arguments FOR the Self-Interest Theory

The definitional argument The evolutionary argument The hidden benefits argument The fear of punishment argument

The definitional argument It is true by

definition- you are being selfish when you do what you want to do, and you always end up doing what you most want to do, otherwise you wouldn’t do it. (p.372)

The evolutionary argument Human beings are

naturally selfish creatures who are genetically programmed to pursue their own interests.

The hidden benefits argument

We get various hidden benefits- such as gratitude, praise and a positive image of ourselves- from being kind to other people.

The fear of punishment argument

The main thing that prevents us from doing wrong is the fear of punishment.