1. The rights and wrongs about morals
Morality
The rights and wrongs about morals

2. Morality Idea of what is Right and Wrong – Good and Bad
Morality determines:
Moral standards – Good and bad behavior for individuals
Moral responsibility – Conscience
Moral identity – Good and bad people

3. Categories of Morality
Absolute Morality
Moral Relativity
Definite standards for right and wrong
Standards are the same regardless of context, beliefs and goals of the individual, society or culture
Rules are universal
Morals depend upon context, social setting and culture
No objectively true moral principles

4. Pros and Cons for Each Absolute Morality Moral Relativism
Where does moral authority come from?
Does not account for the diversity of moral opinions through societies and cultures
Potentially rigid
Killing is wrong even if killing one person saves dozens more
Difficult to hold actions morally accountable – if all views of morality are valid, there is no moral standard
How is one group’s morality determined to be moral vs. another?
Slippery slope to moral subjectivism – each individual does what they believe is right

5. Moral Judgements Determines what makes an action right or wrong
Morally justifies an action
Morality uses two ingredients:
Intention
Action
Should we focus on the action or consequence when determining “rightness”?
Is intent more important than the outcome of the action?
Do they hold equal weight?

6. Moral Theories
Different moral theories explain how to make moral judgments
All set out to determine what is right and wrong

7. Virtue Ethics Greek philosophy of determining morality
Attributed to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Emphasized personal awareness and growth
If a person knows what good is, they will naturally be inclined to do it
Suggests that “good” can be taught and that “bad” arises from ignorance
Ex. Teaching a child that lying is wrong will make them an honest (good) person

8. Plato’s Virtue Ethics
morally good was determined by whether or not a person fulfilled their societal function
You were good if you did your duty and did what was best for the state
Wanted to tell the “noble lie:” people had differently ranked souls to determine an individual’s societal duty
Gold = Rulers
Silver = Soldiers
Iron and Bronze = Builders and farmers

9. Stoicism Greek school of thought “Good” is what is rational
“Bad” is what is emotional
Focuses on self mastery of one’s own emotions
A good person suppresses emotional responses and only does what is logical

10. Religious Teachings Religious teaching
One way to evaluate the rightness or wrongness of an action is by using religious or cultural wisdom
e.g.’s: the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule

11. Utilitarianism
“Good” is what produces the best outcome for all people affected by the action
The “harm principle,” developed by John Stuart Mill ( ) states that people should be allowed to do anything they want as long as the benefits outweigh the harm.

12. Categorical Imperative
Developed by Immanuel Kant ( )
Morality is absolute and universal
Wanted a system to determine what “ought to be” compared to what is – moral obligation was everyone’s duty
Devised a test to determine what is moral
Take the action in question and imagine all the possible situations in which it was moral
If any of them have negative outcomes, the action is not truly moral

13. Moral Statements
Torture is wrong even if torturing someone leads to saving many more people
Lying is always wrong
Stealing is always wrong