What is Ethics

What is Ethics? 1 The sociologist Raymond Baumhart asked business people, "What does ethics mean to you?" Among their replies were the following: "Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong." "Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.“ "Being ethical is doing what the law requires." "Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts." "I don't know what the word means."

dilemma a problem involving a choice one does not want to make often an undesirable or unpleasant choice “Here am I brought to a very pretty dilemma; I must commit murder or commit matrimony.” — George Farquhar or an ethical dilemma “The dilemma of “liberty versus order” — J. M. Burns

What is Ethics? 2 The nature of ethical dilemmas Ethics is the systematic human endeavor to understand moral concepts and to justify moral principles Purpose of ethics is to guide practice Central role of justification

Comparison of Ethics, Religion, Law, & Etiquette Subject Norm Defined By Sanction Religion Right Wrong (Sin) Permissable Religious Authority Revelation Conscience; Eternal Reward And Punishment Law Legal Illegal Legislature Judiciary Punishment determined by legislative body Etiquette Proper Improper Culture Social Approval or Disapproval Ethics Wrong Good Bad Conscience or Reason Rational Reflection Praise and Blame; Reputation

Consequentialism vs. Deontology the view that an act is right if and only if it will maximize (or is likely to maximize) good consequences. Deontological theories: The view that there are some features of acts beyond their consequences that make them right or wrong. Ergo certain acts must be done (or not done) regardless of the consequences. (Sometimes it is called “absolutism”): Judeo-Christian Ethics Moral Theory of Immanuel Kant Rawls: Two major moral theories in US Utilitarianism (Consequentialism) Rights/Duties (Deontological)

Consequentialism vs. Deontology the view that an act is right if and only if it will maximize (or is likely to maximize) good consequences. Deontological theories: The view that there are some features of acts beyond their consequences that make them right or wrong. Ergo certain acts must be done (or not done) regardless of the consequences. (Sometimes it is called “absolutism”): Judeo-Christian Ethics Moral Theory of Immanuel Kant Rawls: Two major moral theories in US Utilitarianism (Consequentialism) Rights/Duties (Deontological)