1. Chapter 1: Ethical Bases for Laws Part 3 : Ethics and the Law

2. Ethics Ethics is a practice deciding what is right or wrong in a reasoned, impartial manner. To involve ethics, a decision must effect your or others in a significant way. Ethics is a practice deciding what is right or wrong in a reasoned, impartial manner. To involve ethics, a decision must effect your or others in a significant way.

3. Three Elements of Ethics 1. Decision about right or wrong 2. Decision is reasoned 3. Decision is impartial http://1.bp.blogspot.com

4. Ethical Dilemmas For most circumstances these two forms of moral reasoning reach the same conclusion – as with our example of lying For most circumstances these two forms of moral reasoning reach the same conclusion – as with our example of lying However, when these two types of reasoning conflict, this is when we face the most difficult moral decisions However, when these two types of reasoning conflict, this is when we face the most difficult moral decisions Examples: Examples: –IRS fraud –Lying to prevent someone’s feelings from being hurt

5. A Question of Ethics Sharon is knowledgeable about tax laws and how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits tax returns. She knows a way to cheat on her tax return that would save her almost $2,000. She thinks her chance of being caught is about one in 1,000. Would it be ethical for Sharon to prepare her tax return in this way? Why or why not?

6. Consequential Reasoning General Example: Lying usually produces a bad consequence General Example: Lying usually produces a bad consequence Definition: Rightness and wrongness is Definition: Rightness and wrongness is based only on the consequences or the based only on the consequences or the result of the action result of the action http://spinspotter.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/truth-consequences-500.jpg

7. Consequential Ethics Reflected in Our Laws Our system of government is grounded in majority rule Our system of government is grounded in majority rule –Laws are judged to be right or good when they effect the majority of the people positively –The federal lawmaking system provides the greatest good for the greatest number –Therefore, a good legal decision = good consequences Example: Picking up dog poo at parks Example: Picking up dog poo at parks

8. Are we ever ethically justified in violating the law? Dr. King’s march in Alabama was an act of civil disobedience Dr. King’s march in Alabama was an act of civil disobedience Civil Disobedience: An open, peaceful, violation of a law to protest its alleged injustice Civil Disobedience: An open, peaceful, violation of a law to protest its alleged injustice http://myhero.com/images/guest/

9. Are we ever ethically justified in violating the law? In the early 1960’s, Martian Luther King, Jr., wanted to lead a march into Birmingham, Alabama, to protest racial segregation in that city. When he applied for a parade permit, his request was denied. Dr. King, knowing that his conduct was illegal, led the non- violent march anyway. He was at the front of the line and allowed himself to be arrested, although he could have easily escaped. He went to jail. Community leaders were highly critical of Dr. King because he had violated the law. In response, he wrote a famous letter attacking segregation laws as being inconsistent with deontological and consequential ethical reasoning. Is there an ethical justification for Dr. King’s violation of the law? http://media.commercialappeal.com/mca/content/img/photos/