Section 1.1

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.