Lesson 3 - Ethics Pages

Table of Contents [Lesson 2 – Ethics] Theories of Ethics P Theories of Ethics Religious Ethics p Religious Ethics Duty Ethics p Duty Ethics Kant’s approach to ethics p Kant’s approach to ethics Values and dignity p Values and dignity The importance of motives p The importance of motives

Theories of Ethics This will be the study of some moral knowledge This is because some values are relative and often people are selfish, however it leaves room for this study of moral knowledge. Three categories Religious Ethics Duty Ethics Utilitarianism

Religious Ethics Religion often gives us sacred texts or guidebooks which tell us which rules we should follow. The problem is that these texts usually don’t settle all problems. Example: You cannot work on the Sabbath (from the Bible) or you should be put to death. Idolatry is like worship of a thing (not a God) Literalism means taking written words for there exact, literal meaning.

Religious Ethics (Continued) Plato says that ethics cannot come from religion. His argument is that just because God says something is good doesn’t mean that it always should be. For example, if God tells us that murder is OK does that mean we can now kill others? Oppositely if God tells us that something is good because it is good, then it would seem that values do not come from religion. Therefore Plato argues that we already know right from wrong and will only accept what we already agree with when it comes from religion.

Duty Ethics Ethics is fundamentally “doing your duty.” Rights and duties are interconnected. One cannot exist without the other. (Two sides of the same coin) Example 1: A duty not to steal means a right to property. Example 2: A duty not to kill means a right to life. In this section we will study: Immanuel Kant’s approach to ethics Values and dignity The importance of motives Criticisms of Kant Rule worship Conflicts of duty Moral Coldness

Immanuel Kant’s approach to ethics His main idea: “Something is a duty if we can generalize about it.” Generalize – to make a pattern where something is always true. Example: Cutting in line (jumping the queue) Kant would ask, “What will happen if everyone cuts in line/jumps the queue?” Since the conclusion leads to complete chaos/pandemonium/mayhem, we can say it is our duty NOT to cut in line.

Kant’s approach to ethics (continued) Example 2: “What would happen if everyone decided to sometimes keep promises, but only when it is convenient?” Imagine marriage. If people decide to only keep their marriage vows sacred when it is convenient, there will be many unhappy marriages with broken promises. The result will again be chaos so we must conclude that it is our duty to not break promises ever.

Kant’s approach to ethics (Continued #2) Consistency is important to Kant because we all practice a behavior called “special pleading.” Special pleading – when an individual makes excuses for their behavior which people would never find acceptable if they came from someone else. Special pleading is also the idea that “I am special and the rules do not apply to me just this once because….” Example: Casually lying to a friend about whether or not you have received a text message. It seems like no big deal. But if your friend lies to you and says that he/she did not receive a text, you will be angry!

Kant’s approach to ethics (Continued #3) Kant says not to think of “me.” Instead think about yourself as “one among others.” Never make exceptions/excuses for your behavior The Golden Rule – to treat others as you would like to be treated. Example from religion: In The Bible, Jesus tells his followers to “love one another as I have loved you,” and to “love your enemies.”

Kant’s approach to ethics (Continued #4) How can you be objective? Imagine a “veil of ignorance.” Veil of ignorance – imagine that in a situation between 2 people you do not know which person you will be. Consider the facts and ask if it is fair to both people. Example: A good way to make two children act this way is the example of cutting a cake. You tell one child that she is responsible for cutting the cake. The other child has the duty of choosing which half he will take. This method should force compromise

Values and dignity Kant: Nobody should get better, special treatment, but also nobody should be discriminated against. Opposite to Spock in Star Trek! Spock says “The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.” However Kant would disagree. He says that an individual is not only a “one among others,” but also a “me” with only one life. This is the only life for the individual and should never have to be sacrificed to help achieve the goals for others.

Values and dignity (continued) Kant says that value is for objects, and dignity is for persons. Dignity - The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. Example: A broken computer can be replaced with an identical one. However a “broken” (terminally ill) person cannot be simply replaced with a clone (copy). The first example with a computer works because objects have value but do not require dignity. The second example would not be OK with you if you are going to die. Why? Because you expect to be treated not with value, but with dignity.

Values and dignity (continued) Here is the main difference between VALUE and DIGNITY as it is defined by Kant. Kant’s final conclusion is that since individuals have dignity, they cannot be replaced. Something with VALUESomething with DIGNITY Can be replaced Replacements have equal value Cannot be replaced If it is replaced, a replacement can never have the same value

The importance of motives This is another part of Kant’s ethics. Moral value is determined by motivation. Example: Two murderers: Murderer A planned how he would murder his wife for six months. This is because he learned that she had an affair with another man. He treated her nicely everyday and made her believe that he was not angry with her. Then he kills her. After killing her, he does not feel any remorse or regret. Murderer B learns that his wife is having an affair with another man. He becomes so angry that he kills her in a fit of rage. During his trial he feels remorseful and regrets what he did. Would Kant place equal moral value on these two situations?

The importance of motives (continued) This example will help explain Kant’s motives. Situation ASituation B A man accidentally knocks over an old lady as he gets onto the bus in the morning. She is not injured. A man sees an old woman. He knows he is bigger and stronger. When she tries to get onto the bus he pushes past her aggressively. Luckily she catches herself and does not fall. He does not care if she is injured. In fact he secretly hopes that she falls because she pushed her way in front of him to get onto the bus. The man feels sad that the woman did not get hurt. Kant’s analysis: This man is morally better because his motive was not to injure the woman. Kant’s analysis: Even though the woman was not injured, this man did worse because he intended to harm the woman.

The importance of motives (continued 2) Kant has a low opinion of emotions and feelings. To be truly moral our actions should be motivated by reason and logic, never emotions. Kant thinks that emotions are too unreliable to use as a means of justifying our values.

The importance of motives (continued 3) Kant says that there are three reasons (motives) for doing a good action: 1. You expect something (a reward) in return. 2. You want sympathy (people to feel badly for you). 3. You are doing your duty Which does Kant say should be the basis for determining moral value?

The importance of motives (continued 4) Kant would say situation 3. A good action only has moral value attached to it if the action is done from a sense of duty in Kant’s ethics. Which of these two people deserves praise from Kant’s point of view? Person APerson B A woman who is born friendly and sympathetic to others. It is her personality. She is kind and friendly to a lost stranger who needs directions. A man who does not enjoy socializing with others. This person was born this way and it is just his personality. He is kind and friendly to a lost stranger who needs directions.

The importance of motives (continued 5) Kant would probably attach more moral value to the man in this situation. Why? (discuss)