LEARNING OBJECTIVES

UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE CONTENTTO UNDERSTAND BASIC KEY TERMSTO CONSIDER AN ETHICAL DILEMMA

Introduction to Ethics

STARTER 1) When is the question “Shall I wear blue or red?” an ethical question ?2) When is choosing a restaurant an ethical issue ?

The Nature of Ethics

Face different challenges over time – period to period

Not always general agreementWhere do we turn to guidance and

leadership?

Purpose of Ethics

Answer the question : What should I do ? What attitude should I take ? What kind of person should I be ?What should we do ? What attitude should we take ? What kind of people should we be ?

Moral, Immoral or Amoral ?

Other Key Terms

Test Yourself

Ethics isMoral isImmoral is Amoral is

Hello Again !

STARTER – leave homework on desk and take a pen – criticise another person’s definition of what ethics is.

Ethical Terms

Today we will :• Know some key terms about ethics• Consider what we mean by “good”• Be able to consider what is + and – about certain ways of ethical thinking

Subjective and Relative

The current prevailing opinion in this country (the prevailing philosophy) is that morality is:

Subjective: a matter of opinion, or a matter of taste.

Or:

Relative: the expression of a social or cultural norm.

Subjective Morality

An example: Joe thinks it’s immoral not to vote in a general election. Jenny thinks that voting is a joke, a waste of time, and nothing to do with morality.

“The prevailing philosophy” of our time is that both are right; you can make your own decisions about what’s right and wrong. It’s a matter of opinion.

Relative morality.

In the United Kingdom it is considered wrong to dump rusty scrap metal, oil and asbestos on the beaches.

In parts of Asia, old ships are dismantled on the beaches, leaving behind rusty scrap, oil and asbestos.

A relativist would say that “they have different standards” because of their culture. It’s OK there, but not here.

Absolute Morality

Something is always right or always wrongThere is an external set of moral principalsExample Ten Commandments

Murder ? Stealing ? Adultery ?

(Teach Yourself page 7)

What is Good ?

What is good conduct or behaviour ?

2 principles :a) Certain types of conduct are good in

themselves Final value or result – a

completion summum bonumb) Certain types of conduct are good because

they conform to a particular moral standard

What is Good ?

Philosophers propose 3 principal standards of conduct :

i) Happiness or pleasureii) Duty – virtue or obligationiii) Perfection – the fullest harmonious

development of human potential

What is Good ? - Authority

Ideas of “Good” come from : X) The will of a deity obey scripture as the standard of

conductY) The pattern of nature acceptable standards for

human natureZ) The rule of reason best behaviour is the result of rational

thought

Autonomy

A person can choose their own actions

How free are you ? What limits your choice ?

LawCircumstances of a person’s lifeMay have limited knowledge of choicesSocial traditionAutonomy of other peoplePersonality, age, background

Descriptive Ethics, Prescriptive Ethics & Meta-Ethics

Descriptive Ethics describes the way we livePresents facts or moral choicesWhat is the case ?

Prescriptive Ethics how a person should live or behaveWhat ought to be the case ?

Meta – Ethics – analytical ethics – concerned with language and definitions. Meaning of moral discussion.

Intuitionism

There are so many ethical theories and ideas that we need to grasp moral principals by our own intuition

Emotivism

Emotivists argue that ethical words and sentences merely express people’s attitudes and feelings which generate feelings in other people.

Pacifist says war is murderPolitician says war is necessary

Pacifist – War = boo !!Politician – War – hurray !!

Moral statements just express emotion.. . . . AGREE / DISAGREE ???

What do you Remember ???

SubjectiveRelativeEmotivismVirtueSummum bonum

An Exam Style Question

Explain why some religious believers might accept absolutism whilst other believers might not. (30)

A Christian might be an absolutist because. . .

A Christian may reject absolutism and make mainly relativist judgments because . . .

However, a Christian may use an absolutist judgment on certain issues and a relativist judgment on other issues. For example…..

STARTER Absolutist Recap

An absolutist says an immoral act is intrinsically wrong, which means wrong in itself.

The thing is not made wrong by the situation or the result it causes. It is wrong because the act in itself breaks a moral rule.

a) Do you think there is something we can compare ourselves or our actions to ?

b) Think of a moral rule you keep but there are no consequences or reward. Why bother ?

Learning Objectives

To understand some of the views of : Plato – an absolutist, J.L Mackie – a relativist and William Sumner - an anthropologist

To be aware of exam answer structure and marking

Examination Papers and AssessmentSTARTER

– there are 2 things being examined at AS RE : A01 – knowledge and understanding A02 – critical argument & justification of an opinion

X) What does each word mean ?Y) Are your words the start of an A01 or Ao2 question ?

a) describe, examine, identifyb) outline, select, what, howc) illustrate, for what reasons, compare and contrast d) distinguish between, define, examine, explaine) comment on, consider, how farf) to what extent, why, assess g) discuss, consider critically, evaluateh) interpret, justify

A01 Questions – 30 marks

a) describe, examine, identify A01 - pick out main features of…and write

aboutb) outline, select, what, how A01- main features / most

important c) illustrate, for what reasons, compare and contrast A01 – give examples /why / this is this

whereas..

d) distinguish between, define, examine, explain A01 – this is this whereas / state main ideas

of/ state ideas, give examples & positive and

negatives

A02 Questions – 15 marks

e) comment on, consider, how far A02 –pos & negs / when does this theory work / notf) to what extent, why, assess A02 – when does this theory work and when does it stop working ? reasons / assess = for and againstg) discuss, consider critically, evaluate A02 – for and against / advantages and weaknesses draw to a conclusion h) interpret, justify A02 how would this be used in life or situations ? justify = argue & give reasons for this working

Marking Guide to A01 Questions

0 = no relevant material1 – 6 = almost ignores Q, disorganised, some relevant material• 7 – 11 = focus on general topic rather than Q some organisation, knowledge limited• 12– 17 = satisfactory, some knowledge, selected some material & terms used successfully• 18 – 23 = good attempt – technical terms accurate knowledge, clear & organised• 24 – 30 = excellent – selected & deployed relevant info, engaged fully with Q, well constructed &

supported

Essay Question

Explain why some religious believers might accept absolutism whilst other believers might not.

(30 marks)

A Christian might be an absolutist because. . .

A Christian may reject absolutism and make mainly relativist judgments because . . .

However, a Christian may use an absolutist judgment on certain issues and a relativist judgment on other issues. For example…..