1. What is philosophical ethics?
Kelby Mason, Philosopher and Trainer

2. Structure What is “ethics”? The (very) big picture of ethics
Three ethical theories
Ethics, values and religion

3. Structure What is “ethics”? The (very) big picture of ethics
Three ethical theories
Ethics, values and religion

4. What is ethics about? Right and wrong
How we should treat others – and ourselves
Should and shouldn’t
Permissible
What sort of life should I lead?
Good and bad
Justice
Harm
Good and evil
Forbidden
Rules for how to act
Values in life – what really matters?
Obligatory
Well-being
Right and wrong
Good and bad – or even good and evil
What you should and shouldn’t do
What is okay to do – or permissible
What is not okay to do – or forbidden
How we should treat others – and ourselves
Harm
Fairness
Well-being and welfare
What sort of life should I lead?
Rules for how to act
Values in life – what matters?

5. Structure What is “ethics”? The (very) big picture of ethics
Three ethical theories
Ethics, values and religion

6. How do I treat these people fairly?
What should I do?
Abstract
How do I treat these people fairly?
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

7. Everyday Ethics Abstract Concrete
[Mr Raif is dividing a birthday cake between sixteen students...] Everyone gets a piece. And Mr Raif has been very careful to make each piece the same size. Everyone gets an equal share.
Do you think that’s fair?
When Is It Fair? (Stage 1)
[Tom and Leo are at a picnic eating pizza, when…]
Tom has dropped his pizza before he’s had a single bite. But Leo still has one piece left.
Should Leo share his pizza with Tom?
Sharing With Those In Need (Stage 1)
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

8. Applied Ethics Everyday Ethics What should our policies and rules be?
Abstract
How do we treat people in general in this situation fairly?
Applied Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

9. Applied Ethics Everyday Ethics Abstract Concrete
Suppose the Australian government changes our laws [so that] only girls can go to school.
Would that make our society fairer, more unfair or have no effect one way or the other?
A Fair Society? (Stage 3)
Applied Ethics
Do you think that opportunities such as going to university or seeing a doctor or dentist should be determined by things people have no control over (e.g. whether they were born to rich or poor parents)?
A Fair Society? (Stage 3)
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

10. Normative Theory Applied Ethics Everyday Ethics
What makes anything fair?
Abstract
Normative Theory
What makes anything the right or wrong thing to do?
Applied Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

11. Utilitarianism Deontology Virtue Ethics Normative Theory
Abstract
Utilitarianism
Normative Theory
Deontology
Applied Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

12. Meta-Ethics Normative Theory Applied Ethics Everyday Ethics
Am I stating a fact or just expressing my feelings?
What if we disagree?
Abstract
Meta-Ethics
Normative Theory
Are there ethical truths?
Applied Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics
How would we know them?

13. Belief, Opinions, Tolerance & Respect Appeal to Authority
Abstract
Meta-Ethics
Belief, Opinions, Tolerance & Respect
Appeal to Authority
Are Some Things Just Wrong?
Stage 3
Normative Theory
Applied Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

14. Structure What is “ethics”? The (very) big picture of ethics
Three ethical theories
Ethics, values and religion

15. Utilitarianism Deontology Virtue Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics
Abstract
Utilitarianism
Meta-Ethics
Meta-Ethics
Normative Theory
Deontology
Applied Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Concrete
Everyday Ethics

16. Utilitarianism Outcomes Greatest good for the greatest number
Good = “Utility”
– happiness, well-being, pleasure, lack of pain
Consequences for utility
Direct/indirect
Mixed
Balance to maximise utility

17. Deontology Intention and types of action More than just consequences
Rights
– e.g. autonomy, respect, liberty
Duties
Ends-in-themselves, not means to an end
Justice and fairness

18. Virtue ethics What sort of life? What sort of person? Flourishing
Virtues
– e.g. wisdom, courage, honesty

19. Structure What is “ethics”? The (very) big picture of ethics
Three ethical theories
Ethics, values and religion

20. Ethics, values and religion
Primary Ethics does not teach children values
Family
Friends
Society
Religion
Primary Ethics does teach children to think about their values
So: what about religion?

21. Does ethics depend on religion?
Commonest source of ethical instruction
Three problems:
Moral psychology
Commandments cannot be exhaustive
Euthyphro
Good because the gods like it vs
The gods like it because it’s good

22. “You ask a philosopher a question and after he or she has talked for a bit, you don’t understand your question any more”
- Philippa Foot