Lecture 01: A Brief Summary

Ethics is the philosophical study of morality, a rational examination of moral beliefs, judgments and behavior.

Morality can be understood as a system of widely accepted values and principles (rules of conduct) that helps us distinguish right from wrong, acceptable from unacceptable.

In the study of ethics, we evaluate actions (to judge or decide whether these actions are right or wrong), we study moral beliefs and judgments, and we examine the justifications (reasons) given for moral beliefs, judgments and decisions.

The subject matter of science is ‘what is’ (what the facts are) The subject matter of science is ‘what is’ (what the facts are). On the other hand, the subject matter of ethics is ‘what ought to be’ (or what is the right thing to do). Take, for example, the question: Is it morally permissible to punish the innocent? (Is it sometimes right to do so?)

It is a matter of fact that sometimes innocent people are punished, and such cases are one of the subject matters of forensic science, which examines the evidence to find out who is innocent and who is guilty.

But the question whether (and why) punishing innocent people is right (or wrong) is the subject matter of ethics. As said earlier, in dealing with ethical issues, we should focus on the justifications (reasons) given for moral beliefs, judgments and decisions.

There are very good reasons to think that it is wrong (i. e There are very good reasons to think that it is wrong (i.e. morally impermissible) to punish innocent people (e.g. it is unfair to punish the innocent; it can have bad consequences for society; it is against the rule of law; it involves violation of basic human rights, etc.)

However, some may say that it is not always wrong to punish innocent people. Some utilitarian philosophers, for example, may argue that punishing the innocent is morally permissible if doing so brings more good than harm.

It can be argued, for example, that punishing the innocent can be morally justified as an effective way to deter crime (i.e. it sends a warning to those who have the intention to break the law). Hence the old Chinese idiom ‘kill the chicken to scare the monkey’.

But is that a ‘good argument’ or a ‘bad argument’ But is that a ‘good argument’ or a ‘bad argument’? In other words, does it provide a strong justification to the belief that punishing the innocent is morally permissible?

In the study of ethics, we have to evaluate other people arguments and construct arguments of our own. A reasoned argument (good argument) is one that is relevant, valid (logical) and based on evidence (facts, observations, statistics, examples, etc).

When we examine our own or other people’s arguments, we should consider the following questions: Is the evidence relevant? Are the facts correct? Is the reasoning logical? Are there any counterarguments?

To think critically and reason well about real-life moral issues (e. g To think critically and reason well about real-life moral issues (e.g. whether it is morally permissible to punish the innocent), we should: understand the background or situation think open-mindedly and raise relevant questions

gather and evaluate information examine different viewpoints and their supporting arguments develop a standpoint or position of our own construct reasoned arguments to support our own position

In the study of ethics, it is necessary to develop skills of critical thinking and argumentation. It is useful to keep in mind that assessment of your performance will largely be based on the quality of the arguments you make in presentations, written assignments and the exam.

There is usually no need to memorize a lot of information There is usually no need to memorize a lot of information. Instead, you have to: learn basic concepts, principles and theories, consider various perspectives (viewpoints), analyze and evaluate arguments, and construct reasoned arguments to support your own points of view.

Finally, going back to the question we raised earlier: Is it (sometimes) morally permissible to punish the innocent? Why or why not?