Human ambivalence

Moral Dilemma You are a passenger in a car driven by a close friend. He hits a pedestrian. You know he was going at least 35 miles per hour in an area of the city where the maximum speed allowed is 20 miles per hour. There are no witnesses. His lawyer says that if you are prepared to testify under oath that he was only driving at 20 miles per hour it may save him from serious consequences. Would you help your friend? (a) I would lie and say he went at 20 miles per hour. (b) I would not lie.

Did the pedestrian die?

What is human ambivalence? Ambivalence is the uncertainty felt by people towards an issue, object or idea. Human ambivalence is the many contradictory attitudes and feelings present throughout humanity on certain issues. ex: What is good or evil? Who is right or wrong? What does human ambivalence have to do with ethics?

What is… Ethics: A set of moral principles of right and wrong determines Morality: The goodness or badness of an action or behaviour. Etiquette: Correct practices or behaviour according to social conventions.

Examples… Ethics: Consequentialism: "The ends justify the means“ the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would like to be done to you” Morality: “giving is moral, stealing is immoral, keeping is amoral” Etiquette: no chewing gum, burping, wearing a hat at the table

Values … are what we value. A value system is what we place in order of importance. Canadian values: “Peace, order and good government” (British North American Act, 1867) American values: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (United States Declaration of Independence, 1776) What are the values of your school? RESPECT. EXCELLENCE. PRIDE.

Heritage Regional High School Respect: the reason we have rules and don’t tolerate certain things like bullying and violence. Excellence: the reason we strive to help you achieve well academically with the help of qualified teachers. Pride: the reason we keep our school clean.

The importance of Values We judge and interpret moral events based on the values we have. Ex: abortion (choice vs. life) slavery (power vs. equality)

Where do values come from? These values are supplied at birth, and are extended by experience and upbringing. After seven years, these values start forming the child’s personality. This then forms their behaviour and shapes their beliefs. Some of these beliefs, which constitute the morality of an individual, can not be changed by reason or experience. It is part of their character. The school, institution can have values. But these stem from individuals. Optimist, pessimist

Morality and Society A well-defined personal and cultural value system is a moral code. Therefore, we base morality on our values, both as a society and as individuals. . To some Hindus it is right to burn the still living widow upon the funeral pyre of her dead husband, but to many other cultures this would be an abominable crime. To some adherents of Islam the correct punishment for theft is the amputation of a limb, but to others such a penalty is more evil than stealing.

Examples Islamic Courts How do we explain this? What values do they have? (respect) Compensatory justice

Examples Traditional Japanese Confucianism Has anyone ever heard of Confucianism?

Examples (Honor) Blood feuds in Albania Honor killings in India

Universalism vs. relativism Moral universalism: A universal system of moral law applies to everyone, regardless of culture, race, religion or nationality. Moral relativism: Moral or ethical propositions are NOT universal. Like etiquette, they depend on social, cultural and historical circumstances. Religion? Is ethics like etiquette?

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Criticism: In 1982, the Iranian representative to the United Nations, Said Rajaie-Khorassani, articulated the position of his country regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by saying that the UDHR was "a secular understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition," which could not be implemented by Muslims without trespassing the Islamic law. Property rights criticism (taxation) Freedom of learning versus alternative schooling

Three types of questions Literal questions test the lowest level of understanding. It involves reading exactly what is on the page and giving back facts or details. Ex: John has a red car. What color is his car? a. Red. b. Blue c. Black

Three types of questions Application questions. These are questions that test your ability to apply knowledge. ex. In China, Taiwan, and much of the Far East, belching is considered a compliment to the chef and a sign that you have eaten well and enjoyed your meal. This is not the case in North America. Is this… A. moral principle? B. a law? C. a rule of etiquette?

Three types of questions 3. Interpetive/critical thinking questions. These are questions requiring one to “read between the lines.” To answer, one must interpret the evidence given to them and form thoughtful conclusions. Ex. Is moral universalism valid? Explain why.