The Ethical is Personal: Ethics Every Day: Home, Work, World UNIV 300I – Fall 2006 Kathleen Lacey, Professor of Legal Studies in Business Kathleen Lacey, Professor of Legal Studies in Business Julie Van Camp, Professor of Philosophy Julie Van Camp, Professor of Philosophy Graduate Assistants: Graduate Assistants: Carlos Brocatto Carlos Brocatto Debraun Ellis Debraun Ellis

What is Philosophy? What is Ethics?

Philosophy Big picture questions Broad perspectives and connections Implicit assumptions: what’s between the lines? Good reasoning: “critical thinking” Close examination of key terms and concepts

Philosophical Questions Metaphysics: nature of reality What is real? What exists? Epistemology: theory of knowledge What do we know? How do we know it? Value theory: meaning of “good” In human behavior (ethics) In art

Philosophical Theories: Purposes Explanation of puzzling phenomenon in the human experience Definition of key terms, concepts Interconnectedness of human knowledge and experience

What is learned in a philosophy course? Knowledge, information Skills: philosophical inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, good reasoning Attitudes, tendencies: open- mindedness, considering all sides of an issue, emphasis on reasoning not dogma

What is learned in an ethics course? Identifying ethical problems Considering alternative solutions Examining reasoning in support of different conclusions Applying competing ethical theories to a problem

Applied/Organizational Ethics Need to cultivate & apply ethical decision-making skills personally/professionally Need to cultivate & apply ethical decision-making skills personally/professionally Ethics is multi-disciplinary Ethics is multi-disciplinary Ethical decisions frequently involve multiple stakeholders Ethical decisions frequently involve multiple stakeholders Conflicting implications can occur among stakeholders Conflicting implications can occur among stakeholders Ethical effects of globalization Ethical effects of globalization

Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership Three primary missions Three primary missions Education: Education: awarding faculty stipends to include ethics in courses awarding faculty stipends to include ethics in courses Student Leadership Institute Student Leadership Institute Research: web-based data base on ethical issues Research: web-based data base on ethical issues Tie-in with Global Outsourcing Institute Tie-in with Global Outsourcing Institute University faculty applied research University faculty applied research Community: seminars/programs to constituencies Community: seminars/programs to constituencies Student community service Student community service

Examples of Multi-disciplinary Issues Business: outsourcing, bribery, financial fraud Business: outsourcing, bribery, financial fraud Medical: stem cell, assisted suicide, organ transplant Medical: stem cell, assisted suicide, organ transplant Engineering: product development & design Engineering: product development & design Political: bribery! election fraud, human rights Political: bribery! election fraud, human rights Educational: plagiarism, student governance Educational: plagiarism, student governance Computer: cybercrimes, music downloading Computer: cybercrimes, music downloading

What is NOT learned in an ethics class? Dogmas Preaching Propaganda “Right answers” Simplistic rules for conduct

Good Reasoning Carefully examine key terms and concepts Consider clarity and consistency of reasons Make explicit the reasons or evidence that are the basis for conclusions Consider alternative viewpoints Hypotheticals: “what if” questions

Philosophical vs. Legal Method Similarities: Similarities: Emphasis on clear, consistent reasoning Emphasis on clear, consistent reasoning Focus on clarity in the meanings of terms Focus on clarity in the meanings of terms Differences: Differences: Source and validity of knowledge Source and validity of knowledge Appeals to authority Appeals to authority Purpose of reasoning Purpose of reasoning

Study questions for all reading What is the major claim or theory or thesis? What are the arguments and reasons in favor of that claim? What are the arguments and reasons opposed to that claim?

What can you do with philosophy? What can you do without it!

How to Study Attend class Two hours study for each hour of class Close reading of the text before and after class Make study outlines of key points Take good notes during class and clarify or type up after class Ask questions: no question too stupid to ask!