1. Ch. 12: developing as an ethical reasoneR
ASSE 3211: Learning Outcome Assessment II
Fall Semester
Dr. Ali Al Ghazo
Section: 209
Students’ Names & ID #s:
Zahra A. Al Mohsin –
Alzahra Al Saihati –
Zainab Al Humood –
Major: Interior Design 
Ch. 12: developing as an ethical reasoneR
Group Chapter Presentation

2. Ch. 12: Developing As An Ethical Reasoner
Through this chapter presentation, we will discuss the following topics:
Why People are confused about ethics
The fundamentals of ethical reasoning
Ethical concepts and principles
The universal Nature of ethical principles
Distinguishing ethics from other domains of thinking
Ethics and religion
Religious beliefs are socially or culturally relative
Ethics and social conventions
Practices that are socially or culturally relative
Ethics and the Law
Understanding our native selfishness

3. One of the most significant obstacles to fair-mindedness is the human tendency to reason in a self-serving.
In understanding ethical reasoning, the following foundations are essential:
1. Ethical principles are not a matter of subjective preference.
2. All reasonable people should respect clear-cut ethical concepts and principles.
3. To reason well through ethical issues, we must know how to apply ethical concepts and principles reasonably to those issues.
4. Ethical concepts and principles should be distinguished from the norms and taboos of society and peer group, religious teachings, political ideologies, and the law.
5. The most significant barriers to sound ethical reasoning are the egocentrism and socio-centrism of human beings.
3. Basic rules necessary need to be applied
5. Israel objecting because the Palestinians hit them while they grabbed Palestinians land!
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

4. Three essential components in sound ethical reasoning:
1) The principles upon which ethics are grounded
2) The counterfeits to avoid
3) The pathology of the human mind.
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

5. Why People Are Confused About Ethics
Human behavior has consequences for the welfare of others.
Few people think at a deep level about the consequences to others of their selfish pursuit of money, power, prestige, and possessions.
The result is that, most people independent of their society, ethnicity, and religion, give at least lip service to a common core of general ethical principles, few act consistently upon these principles.
Few will argue that it is ethically justified to cheat, exploit, abuse, harm, or steal from others, nor hold that we have no ethical responsibility to respect the rights of others, including their freedom and well being.
But few dedicate their lives to helping those most in need of help, to seeking the common good and not merely their own self-interest and egocentric pleasures.
we are can understand at least in many cases when we are doing the one and when we are doing the other.
This is so because we have the raw capacity to put ourselves in the place of others and recognize how we would feel if someone were to act toward us in the manner in which we are acting toward them.
Even young children have some idea of what it is to help or harm others. Children make inferences and judgments on
the basis of that ethical awareness, and develop an outlook on life that has ethical significance for good or ill.
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

6. Why People Are Confused About Ethics
The United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights articulates universal ethical principles.
Many fail to act in accordance with ethical principles.
At an abstract level, there is little disagreement.
Virtually no one would argue that it is ethically justifiable to cheat, exploit, abuse, and harm.
At the level of action, mere verbal agreement on general principles does not produce a world that honors human rights.
There are too many ways in which humans can feel justified in taking advantage.
There are too many forces in human life that generate norms of right.
Forces such as, social, groups, religions, and political ideologies
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

7. The Fundamentals of Ethical Reasoning
People thinking through an ethical issue must be able to identify the ethical principles relevant to the specific ethical situation.
Ethical principles sometimes
can be applied differently in
cases that are ethically complex.
To be skilled in mathematical reasoning, we must understand fundamental mathematical principles.
In the same manner, to be skilled in ethical reasoning, we must understand fundamental ethical principles. Good-heartedness is not enough. We must be well-grounded in fundamental ethical concepts and principles. Principles are at the heart of ethical reasoning.
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

8. The Fundamentals of Ethical Reasoning
The author gave this question: “Should the United States maintain relations with countries that violate human rights?“
Then, he answered: “The most important ethical concepts relevant to this question are justice and integrity, but matters of practicality and effectiveness clearly must be considered as well.
Then, he added: “Justice and integrity would seem to require cutting off relations with any country that violates fundamental human rights. But is isolating and confronting these countries the most effective way to achieve these high ethical ends?”
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

9. The Fundamentals of Ethical Reasoning
Because ethical reasoning is often complex, we must learn strategies to deal with those complexities. We must consider the following:
Mastering the most basic ethical concepts and the principles inherent in ethical issues.
Learning to distinguish between ethics and other domains of thinking with which ethics is commonly confused.
Learning to identify when native human egocentrism and socio-centrism are impeding one's ethical judgments
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

10. Ethical Concepts and Principles
Some of the most basic ethical concepts include: honesty, integrity, justice, equality, and respect.
Simple cases: Lying about, misrepresenting a subject about someone, or distorting the facts to gain a material advantage over others is clearly a violation of the basic principle inherent in the concept of honesty.
In addition to the clear-cut cases are also complicated cases such as: Euthanasia.
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

11. Ethical Concepts and Principles
Complicated cases such as: Euthanasia
Euthanasia: there are many opinions regarding this topic
The 1st opinion is why should the patient live in pain by the help of machines? Just remove the machines and let him die peacefully.
The 2nd opinion is life is good in itself and should be respected.. Allah gave the life and ONLY Allah has the right to take it.
That is why it is complex case.
As conclusion, The fact that an issue is ethical does not mean that you stop yourself analyzing it well.
Zahra A. Al Mohsin

12. The Universal Nature of Ethical Principle
Principles laid out in the 30 articles of the declaration:
All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Every one has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Every one has the right to standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and of his family.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
Every one has the right to education.
Alzahra Al Saihati

13. Why do we have to study Universal Ethical principle ?
Alzahra Al Saihati

14. Recognizing Violations of Human Rights Based Universal Ethical Principle
As presented in a New York Times article,
“ Iraq is a pediatrician’s Hell : no way to stop Dying.”
Alzahra Al Saihati

15. Distinguishing Ethics From Other Domains of Thinking
What are domains of thinking?
Social conventions
Religion
Law
Alzahra Al Saihati

16. Ethics and Religion
- Are there any conditions under which euthanasia is ethically justifiable?
Alzahra Al Saihati

17. Ethics and social conventions
What is the relationship between ethics and social conventions ?
Alzahra Al Saihati

18. Practices That Are Socially or Culturally Relative
Cultural relativity
Culture traditions
Individuals practices
Zainab Al Humood

19. Practices That Are Socially or Culturally Relative
Regulations
Rules
Requirements
Taboos
Rituals
Human rights
Slavery, torture, racism, est.…
Zainab Al Humood

20. Ethics and Law Social conventions Politicians Values and taboos
Zainab Al Humood

21. Understanding Our Native Selfishness
Native tendency
Humans natural
Ethical perspective
Self-delusion
For example “Hitler & Jews”
Zainab Al Humood

22. Understanding Our Native Selfishness
To become skilled at ethical reasoning we must understand
Doing what is right even in the face of powerful selfish desire
Develop command over our native egocentric tendencies
Fulfill our ethical obligations at the expense of our selfish desires
Deeply internalize the fundamental roots of ethics
Zainab Al Humood

23. Understanding Our Native Selfishness
Intellectual humility
Well integrated
Critically based approach to ethics
Counterfeit of ethics
Zainab Al Humood

24. Thank for your listening ..
Zahra, Alzahra & Zainab
Thank for your listening ..