Values -beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment -a principle, standard or quality considered worthwhile or desirable for maintaining a set of customary standards

-a particular system of principles and rules concerning duty Ethics -the philosophical study of moral values and rules -the science of human duty -a particular system of principles and rules concerning duty -rules of practice in respect to a single class of human actions as, political or social ethics; medical ethics

Ethics asks us… What do we owe? What is the moral thing to do? What is our responsibility to: -self? -community? -world?

Evaluating our ethics & values Relativism -no universal values or obligations Absolutism -there are specific universal values that apply to everyone without exception Pluralism -values and obligations are valid but there is more than one set

Relativism There is no universal right or wrong--it’s all relative to person, culture, situation. A family of views whose common theme is that some central aspect of experience, thought, evaluation, or even reality is somehow relative to something else. For example standards of justification, moral principles or truth are sometimes said to be relative to language, culture, or biological makeup. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

To the Relativist… If you think something is unfair or wrong, you have no right to complain; or, if you think something is unfair, you’re not a complete relativist.

Absolutism Belief that some given set of values or ethical rules are the only correct ones Philosophically speaking, this cannot be ruled out… Most absolute values are exceedingly general

To the Absolutist… However, to participate in a society, you must take account of plurality of viewpoints on ethics The allowance and/or imposition of religion in determining moral values as absolute is tricky business

Rejecting relativism does not equal an acceptance of absolutism. Pluralism There are multiple ethical values and rules Not relativism They are valid (obligatory) within their scope Rejecting relativism does not equal an acceptance of absolutism.

Some Frameworks for Ethical Thinking Do what’s best for greatest number of people… (Consequence-based) Follow the applicable universal principle, e.g., do not lie (Duty-based) Do what a good (virtuous) person with integrity would do (Virtue-based) Consider what relationships demand (Care-based)

Methodologies Principlism - Commitment to a set of first order principles that are used to make moral decision (i.e. in bioethics: beneficence, nonmaleficence…) Casuistry - Using case comparisons to make ethical decisions (“bottom-up” thinking, precedent)

We analyze values using ethical frameworks and methodologies… -Opposition to or support for gun control -Opposition to or support for universal healthcare -Opposition to or support for abortion rights -Opposition to or support for Climate change efforts

Are Human Rights also Absolute Values? United Nations Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html Millennium Development Goals http://www.endpoverty2015.org/ Sustainable Development Goals http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

Approaching Case Studies -Determine facts -Identify potential ethical issues -Identify stakeholders and their objectives -Formulate alternative solutions -Identify additional sources of information or guidance needed -Deploy ethical frameworks or methodologies to analyze and justify the best course of action