Section 1.1

Chapter 1 Ethics and the Law Section 1.1 Defining Ethics Section 1.2 Sources of Law

Why It’s Important Learning how to apply ethical principles will help you make ethical decisions.

Legal Terms morality (p. 6) ethics (p. 6) honesty (p. 11) justice (p. 11) compassion (p. 11) integrity (p. 12) law (p. 12)

Pre-Learning Question How do you make ethical decisions?

How Ethical Decisions Are Made Determining the difference between right and wrong can be difficult. Individuals use different methods to choose the right thing to do in any given situation.

How Ethical Decisions Are Made Morality involves the values that govern a society’s attitude toward right and wrong. Ethics, in contrast, are the means for determining what a society’s values ought to be.

How Ethical Decisions Are Made Throughout your life, you will face many ethical problems. Adopting a consistent ethical standard can help you with big or small moral problems.

Feelings and Opinions Some people base their ethical standards on whether the act “feels” right.

The Greatest Good Some people feel that an action that creates the greatest good for the greatest number of people is a sound basis for making ethical decisions.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Golden Rule Others base their ethical standards on the golden rule, which states: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Ethical Character Traits Honesty is being open and truthful with other people. Justice is treating other people fairly and equally.

Ethical Character Traits Compassion is being sympathetic to the difficulties of others. Integrity is doing what is right regardless of personal consequences.

Describe the characteristics of justice.

ANSWER Treating people fairly and equally.

Pre-Learning Question How do you think ethics relates to law?

The Relationship Between Ethics and Law If everyone made the same ethical decisions with the same results, there would be no need for law. In the real world, however, some people engage in conduct that most people agree is wrong.

Why Law Is Necessary Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice.

Why Law Is Necessary Law defines the legal rights and duties of the people and provides the means of enforcing these rights and duties.

Ethics and Legal Conflicts Because law is made by people, it is imperfect. Legislators and judges bring their own personal opinions on ethics to the lawmaking process. As a result, ethics and law will sometime conflict.

Define law.

ANSWER Law is the rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice.

Reviewing What You Learned Explain how ethical decisions are made. Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned Explain how ethical decisions are made.

Reviewing What You Learned Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned How can the greatest good principle lead to ethical decisions?

Reviewing What You Learned Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned How can the golden rule principle lead to ethical decisions?

Reviewing What You Learned What are four ethical character traits? Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned What are four ethical character traits?

Reviewing What You Learned How is law related to ethics? Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned How is law related to ethics?

Reviewing What You Learned Why is law important? Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned Why is law important?

Reviewing What You Learned Section 1.1 Assessment Reviewing What You Learned How can ethical and legal conflicts be resolved?

Critical Thinking Activity Ethics and Law Section 1.1 Assessment Critical Thinking Activity Ethics and Law Why is it important to be able to distinguish between actions that are ethical and actions that are not? Why is it important to be able to distinguish between ethics and law?

Legal Skills in Action Developing Ethical Standards Section 1.1 Assessment Legal Skills in Action Developing Ethical Standards How would you respond to a friend who says she has never had a consistent set of moral standards?

Legal Skills in Action Developing Ethical Standards Section 1.1 Assessment Legal Skills in Action Developing Ethical Standards With a partner, role-play a response to your friend’s lack of ethical philosophy. Explain how the ethical standards discussed in this chapter could help her develop a consistent set of ethical standards.

Judge for Yourself – Is this Cheating? Dillon is a high school senior and father of a six-month old. He works many hours to support his baby daughter and wants to go to technical college beyond graduation. His grades have been slipping, however, because of his job and late nights up with the baby. He missed a test given last week and is expected to make it up soon; so he has called classmates to ask for the test questions and answers. A good grade on this test will make graduating a lot easier. *Write one paragraph explaining whether Dillon’s actions are ethical.

End of Section 1.1