1. Ethics Defining Terms

2. Bell Ringer: Ethical Conundrum Test Case: Lying  Is it ever morally permissible?  Is it ever morally right?

3. The Noble Lie: From Plato’s Republic  Comes to us from Plato (via Socrates in the Republic)  “Myth of Metals”: Gold, Silver, Iron (Bronze or copper)  A lie told to improve the overall functioning of society/state. Some people are too dumb to understand the necessity of virtue. Therefore, a lie told to improve their outlook and productivity is needed.  False propaganda for public welfare is acceptable.  Can you think of a Noble Lie in our society?

4. Key Terms of the Ethics Unit  Moral Philosophy: The Search for the best way to live and the right principles to guide our actions  Good Will: Acting on moral principles that are justifiable by practical reason  Morality: Set of principles that guide our actions  Duty: Something one ought to do  Good Life: ???? (pg. 245). It does refer to the end-goal, not simply the means of achieving this end. “The End in itself.”

5. Methods of Achieving a Good Life  Hedonism (245):The Good life is getting as much pleasure in one’s life and avoiding as much pain as possible. –Epicurus  Success (247): Achieving a decent social status and respectability in society (wealth usually a determining factor) -William James  Asceticism (248): The Good life is one of simplicity –oftentimes denying worldly pleasures. -Diogenes/Jesus/Buddha  Freedom (249):The Good life is one free of responsibility and social obligations. -Dostoevsky

6. Methods of Achieving a Good Life  Power & Creativity (250): “Will to Power” Man desires the power to grow as a person and to develop one’s talents, to create. –Nietzsche  Religion (250): Devoting one’s life to following a religious doctrine; “religion…permeates and dominates [all other desires].” –Paul Tillich & Kierkegaard  Happiness/Eudemonia (251): That which is desired for its own sake and not for the sake of anything else. Happiness is not one activity, but the result of many activities. -Aristotle

7. Your Method for the Good Life  After examining various attempts at living “the Good life” it is time for you to attempt to express your opinion on the Good Life.  1). What does it mean to live the Good Life? What ought we want out of life?  2). What about life should we just accept and move on rather than try to ‘solve’?  3). Respond to Nietzsche’s ‘Power & Creativity’ theory. What is he saying? Is he right? Explain.  4). Choose a specific method of achieving the Good Life. Re-read that section. Provide two criticisms or supporting claims for that method of achieving the Good Life.  5). What criticism does the textbook have for the methods of a good life as laid down in all of the concepts we’ve examined thus far (Hint: it’s after Aristotle’s version of the good life).