Chapter 2: Values and Ethics This chapter will cover Value assumptions Conflicts between value assumptions Value priorities Ideal values versus real values Ethics in argumentation Ethical decision making

Values and Ethics Assumptions Unstated (and often unconscious) beliefs

Value Assumptions and Conflicts Values Beliefs, ideals, or principles that are considered worthy and held in high regard. Truth Loyalty Freedom

Values Assumptions Value assumptions: Reality assumptions: Beliefs about how the world should be What is more important Form the foundation of an argument. Beliefs about how the world is Chapter 3 When considering an issue, what value assumptions have priority? These value assumptions form the foundation of your claim. 4

Value Assumptions and Conflicts Value Conflict When two competing values cannot be held to the same degree in a given argument or situation: What do you do when your values are in conflict with one another.

Skill Understand that different values form the basis of many arguments and that conflicts are often based on differing value priorities.

Value Assumption? Honesty Value Conflicts Issue: When my roommate asks how she looks in her new outfit, should I tell her that she has hideous taste in clothes? Conclusion: I’ll tell her its ugly and that she should never buy her own clothes because she couldn’t dress a scarecrow! Reason: She expects and deserves an honest answer. Value Assumption? Honesty

Ethics- A Dimension of Values Standards of conduct that reflecting what we consider to be right or wrong

Ethics- A Dimension of Values Morals Principles that distinguish right from wrong behavior

Ethics Why we have disagreements We hold many values in common, but to different degrees…

Ethics Some Common Ethics Libertarianism: promote individual liberty Utilitarianism: promote the greatest general happiness/minimize unhappiness Egalitarianism: promote equality for all Religious: promote faith spirituality Prima facie values: universal ethical principles

Ideal Values and Real Values Held by an individual in a theoretical sense

Ideal Values and Real Values Theoretical and practiced

U.S. Declaration of Independence Ethics U.S. Declaration of Independence "We hold these truths to be self ‑ evident, that all [men] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights*, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." * Natural (life and liberty) vs legal The Declaration references all of the values we listed-liberty, happiness, equality

Ethics in Argumentation Honesty in conclusions Do not omit or distort Thoroughly research claims made Listen respectfully to opposing viewpoints Be willing to revise position Credit secondary sources

Ethical Decision Making How do we know what our principles and standards are? Role Exchange Test The Universal Consequences Test The New Cases Test The Higher Principles Test

Common Rationalizations Ethics in action If It’s Necessary, It’s Ethical The False Necessity Trap If It’s Legal and Permissible, It’s Ethical I Was Just Doing It For You

Common Rationalizations Ethics in action I’m Just Fighting Fire With Fire It Doesn’t Hurt Anyone, & Everyone’s Doing It It’s O.K. If I Don’t Gain Personally I’ve Got It Coming (I Deserve It) I can still be objective

Toulmin’s Model A Method for Discovering Assumptions Claims Reasons Warrants

Toulmin’s Model: Claim A statement of an individual’s belief or stand upon an issue

Toulmin’s Model Warrant The unstated but necessary link between reasons and claims

Toulmin’s Model We will have to leave at 5 a.m. to make our flight Claim: We will have to leave at 5 a.m. to make our flight Reason: We will be driving in rush hour traffic. because Warrant: ? Rush hour traffic moves more slowly than other traffic

Chapter 2: Values and Ethics Checkup What are value conflicts Name some ethics to use in an argument Difference between ideal and real values What are some common rationalizations