AN INTRODUCTION Ethics + Ethical Reasoning & Social Justice

In pairs, conduct research on the subject of ethics and morals. Be prepared to discuss your findings with the class. A QUICK SEARCH RESEARCH

Include the following in your quick search research/brainstorm: (5 minutes) A QUICK SEARCH RESEARCH

1) Definition: Ethics vs Morals 2) Why ethics are important? 3) How does one consider behaviour from an ethical perspective? A QUICK SEARCH RESEARCH

ETHICS + MORALS Some Definitions

What are Ethics?  1) A branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the “rightness” and “wrongness” of certain actions and to the “goodness” and “badness” of the motives and ends of such actions.

What are Ethics? 2) The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. 3)A system of moral principles.

What are Morals? 1) Of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of “right” conduct or the distinction between “right” and “wrong”; ethical. 2) Conforming to the rules of “right” conduct (opposed to immoral).

Ethical reasoning is available to… EACH OF US

Each of us? Why believe that ?  Each of us engages in critical thinking.  Each of us in our lives (as students, as professionals, as citizens, as human beings) confront ethical issues and dilemmas.

Each of us? Why believe that ?  Thus, each of us can bring critical thought to bear on ethical issues, questions, dilemmas, and problems.  And that just is ethical reasoning!

What is ethical reasoning? Ethical reasoning is critical thinking applied to ethical issues and dilemmas.

What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is a higher order of thinking - it is the practice of using a number of different advanced thinking skills in a variety of complex ways.

Critical Thinking Critical thinking focuses on thought. Critical thinking is self-reflexive. Critical thinking is discipline-specific.

So... what is ethical reasoning?  A skill that focuses on how to think about and evaluate ethical judgments, not necessarily about what ethical judgments to endorse (support) or make.  A skill that is available to each of us and a skill that can be improved…with practice!

The dangers of denying this…  If ethical reasoning is not available to each of us, then ethical reasoning becomes the province of…

Our Potential and Mission…  Since ethical reasoning is available to each of us, it is our duty our attain this educational potential and mission in life.

THE PERSONAL + POLITICAL Ethics in our Lives

Just because it is legal does not mean it is ethical. Just because it is part of “corporate culture” or government structure does not mean it is ethical. Professionals and government shape, revise, and reformulate the rules. Some Insight

Ethics: Democratic Citizenship  Democratic citizenship requires that the citizenry take responsibility for engaging in the enterprise of government and self-government.  How does one become a democratic citizen?

Ethics: Democratic Citizenship  In order be a democratic citizen in a meaningful way, citizens must be able to understand and critically assess controversial issues of the day in an environment of “value pluralism.”

What is Value Pluralism?  Value pluralism is the idea that there are several values which may be equally correct and fundamental, and yet in conflict with each other.

Ethics: Democratic Citizenship  Therefore, critical and ethical reasoning is essential to preparing you for the responsibilities of democratic citizenship.

Ethics in Your Life  Discovering and developing a personal life of meaning and value requires skills allowing you to assess and evaluate received opinion, societal standards, and traditions.

Ethics in Your Life The aim is not indoctrination but education – helping you develop the skills essential to understanding and evaluating claims about meaning and value. The goal is intellectual autonomy = thinking for yourself.

HOW IS IT ETHICAL?! Analysis of Ethical Arguments

Ethical Reasoning as Critical Thinking  Ethical reasoning is simply reasoning/thinking critically about ethical issues and dilemmas.

Ethical Reasoning as Critical Thinking As a “species” of critical thinking, ethical reasoning includes: 1.Analysis of arguments 2.Evaluation of arguments

Helpful Hints to Assess Ethical Statements: Linguistic Markers  Typical linguistic (of or belonging to language) markers for ethical statements (judgments/opinions) include terms such as “wrong,” “right,” “should,” “ought,” “good,” “immoral,” “desirable,” etc.

Final Recommendations  It is possible to create a culture of ethics where people agree to live by a set of standards that are reflective of a strong commitment to ethics.  But is it also possible to create a society where ethics are not considered.

Final Recommendations  The daily choices we have to make or the situations we have to assess are easier to make within a framework where others are behaving/thinking the same ethical way as we will have their support to do the right thing. Creating and sustaining this society becomes the challenge.

Final Recommendations  It is really easy to say what we think or hope we would do in various circumstances while alone, safe and secure but it is another thing to do what we know we should do while under pressure. We must create a world were the pressure is based on the ethical.

SOME PRACTICE Analysis of Ethical Arguments

In your table groups, discuss the following: (5 minutes) ETHICS + SOCIAL JUSTICE

1) How are ethics and social justice related? 2) What ethical considerations do you think are most important? 3) How often do you consider ethics in your own actions and decisions? Is this a conscious or unconscious process? ETHICS + SOCIAL JUSTICE

Now research/brainstorm a social justice issue and analyze using ethical considerations. (10 minutes) ETHICS + SOCIAL JUSTICE

Look to the course topics - as much of the course will focus on social justice and injustice. ISSUES TO ANALYZE

Be prepared to share your findings with others for feedback and discussion. TO SHARE + DISCUSS

What is the issue/injustice? Why is the current situation not ethical? What has been done about it/or should be done about it? HOW TO ANALYZE

Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia Socioeconomic status (i.e. poverty) Ageism Ableism Racism or Colourism Gender Inequality, sexism, misogyny ISSUES TO ANALYZE (Note: these are broad topics = must narrow them down to a more specific social justice issue)

dignity, value, and worth of life respect for rights of others (including freedom and well-being) implications (e.g. who benefits, who suffers; common good vs. self-interest) intent (e.g. to improve the situation) priorities (whose needs are met before others’) fairness THE CRITERIA FOR ANALYSIS (consider one or more of these)