Ethics Ethics—The study of morality using the tools and methods of philosophy. Morality—Concerns beliefs about right and wrong actions and good and bad persons or character. Philosophy—The systematic exploration of life’s big questions using critical thinking and logical argument.

The Nature of Morality Morality is normative. Moral norms have: Overridingness Impartiality Universality Reasonableness (reason-driven)

Feelings Emotions can help us empathize with others and enlarge our understanding of moral decisions. But feelings are too often the product of our psychological needs, cultural conditioning, and selfish motivations. Critical thinking is the corrective.

Obligations and Values Moral obligations concern our duty—our actions. Moral values concern things we judge to be morally good, bad, praiseworthy, or blameworthy—character or motives. Actions are morally right or wrong. Persons are morally good or bad.

Right, Wrong, & Supererogatory Right can mean “permissible”; a permissible action is allowed, is not wrong to perform. Right can mean “obligatory”; an obligatory action is required, would be wrong not to perform. Wrong means “prohibited”; a prohibited action would be wrong to perform. An action that is “above and beyond” our duty—one not required but that is praiseworthy—is supererogatory.

What Is the Purpose of Morality? Lord of the Flies—William Golding Portrays a dystopia Suggests that human nature is depraved Shows that morality is necessary

What Is the Purpose of Morality? On the Nature and Purpose of Morality —Louis Pojman Key purposes of morality: To keep society from falling apart To ameliorate human suffering To promote human flourishing

What Is the Purpose of Morality? On the State of Nature —Thomas Hobbes Human beings always act out of perceived self-interest. Only an absolute sovereign can establish or ensure peace and civil society. Hobbes’s theory of morality is contractarian.