1. 1-3
Ethical Bases for Laws

2. Goals
Define Ethics
Compare and contrast consequences-based ethics with rule-based ethics
Discuss ways in which ethics are reflected in laws

3. What’s Your Verdict?
Did Tyrone act ethically?

4. Ethics The law is such an authority!
Ethics is a collection of standards of conduct and moral judgements forming the basis for a reasoned, impartial decision as to what is right or wrong.
An Ethical System is composed of an organized and consistent compilation of such standards usually set down by an established authority
The law is such an authority!

5. Three Elements of Ethics
It is a decision about right or wrong
Decision is reasoned ( Base our decisions on reason, not emotion)
Decision is impartial (Same standards apply to everyone)

6. Case Study What would you have done in Gabriella’s shoes?
Is this just an ethical decision?

7. Ethics and the Law
Under the US system of democracy, representatives must vote for laws that are acceptable to the majority of people if the representatives expect to be reelected.
On the other hand, the Constitution also seeks to protect the well-being of minorities that might be taken advantage of by the government acting in the interests of the majority.
Ethics tell us that we are obligated to obey the law.
What if we feel that a law is unethical?

8. Civil Disobedience
Civil Disobedience is an open, peaceful, violation of a law to protest its alleged, or supposed, injustice.
Goal should not be advance their self interest, but rather make the system more just.