RIDGE ETHICS BOWL TEAM INTRODUCTION

Introduction to Ethics

What Are Ethics?

The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture

Ways of evaluating questions of moral right and wrong; unlike many approaches, the philosophical analysis which we will be employing focuses on WHY something is right or wrong, not just evaluating which one it is

Ethics are NOT simply Feelings: Just because it makes you feel

good, doesn’t make it right (serial killers) Religion: Ethical people do not have to be

religious Following the law: laws can be corrupt,

void of moral substance, outdated, or do not sufficiently address the problem

Cultural norms: Consider – Slavery was acceptable in the U.S.

How Will We Evaluate Situations?

Ethical Theories: different perspectives on what factors affect ethical decisions

Ridge will use 5 approaches Kantianism Consequentialism/Utilitarianism Virtue Ethics Feminist Care Ethics All-Considered

Kantianism The rightness of an action is partially determined

by one’s motivation for doing so, and whether or not he/she believes it to be a good choice

A moral decision is a moral decision because the decision itself is moral, not just because it leads to a desirable outcome Therefore, the most moral decision should always be

made, regardless of the costs and benefits of the result Moral decisions should be made since everyone

should make moral decisions; moral rules are universal and apply equally to everyone People are rational and therefore everyone should be

expected to make moral decisions in order to maintain a moral society

Kantianism Categorical Imperative-an action is

objectively necessary in-itself; people should act morally for the sake of acting morally Individuals should always act according to a

moral principle which they would desire to be a universal law

The will of every moral (i.e., rational) agent can be conceived as a universal legislature

“Treat others the way you want to be treated”

Consequentialism The consequences of one's conduct are

the true basis for any judgment about the morality of that conduct

“The end justifies the means” Integral to define “end” and “means”

Consequentialism Different desirable ends Hedonistic Utilitarianism

a good action is one that results in an increase in pleasure, and the best action is one that results in the most pleasure for the greatest number

Eudaimonic Consequentialism a full, flourishing life, which may or may not

be the same as enjoying a great deal of pleasure, is the ultimate goal

Aesthetic Consequentialism: produce beauty

Consequentialism Different methods of means Agent-Neutral

People making moral decisions value their own well-being equally to that of the well-being of all others

Agent-Centered People making moral decisions value their

own well-being (and that of close friends and family) as of greater importance to the well-being of others

Reconcile these 2! Optimization, perhaps?

Virtue Ethics Focus more on virtue/moral character

rather than duties/rules or consequences We consider honesty and generosity to

be virtues… but there’s a point at which one can be generous or honest “to a fault” For example, “does my dress make me look

fat?” “yes” – results in hurting someone’s feelings. Was this an ethical decision?

Eudaimonia A concept along the lines of happiness,

flourishing, well-being It is not based on hedonistic pleasures,

but rather it is a value-centered concept Virtue ethics leads to the conclusion that

by living according to virtue, one becomes truly happy and fulfilled

Virtues and vices Virtues: Benevolence, accountability, honesty, ambition,

chastity, compassion, confidence, courage, cooperation, diligence, courtesy, devotion, empathy, faith, forgiveness, humility, kindness, honor, loyalty, modesty, obedience, patience, persistence, mercy, respect, sobriety, sincerity, trustworthiness

Vices: irresponsible, feckless,

lazy, inconsiderate, uncooperative, harsh, intolerant, selfish, mercenary, indiscreet, tactless, arrogant, unsympathetic, cold, incautious, pusillanimous, feeble, presumptuous, rude, hypocritical, self-indulgent, materialistic, grasping, short-sighted, vindictive, calculating, ungrateful, grudging, brutal, profligate, disloyal

Some problems with virtue ethics…

Does not produce a clear set or code of principles

How do you teach an unethical person to be virtuous?

What is a virtue? What makes something virtuous?

Different cultures emphasize different virtues (for example, abstinence)

What happens when two virtues come in conflict (such as honesty and compassion)?

Is the generous person in fact being self-serving and selfish because they get satisfaction out of helping people?

Feminist Care Ethics Emphasizes the importance of

relationships and making moral decisions based on what is best for the group

The “communal woman” vs. the “autonomous man”

Human relationships are not between equally-informed and equally-powerful persons but between unequal and interdependent persons Therefore, ethics should be built on a model

that fits life as most people experience it on an everyday basis

Feminist Care Ethics All individuals are interdependent for achieving

their interests; people thrive in groups, not as individuals

Those particularly vulnerable to our choices and their outcomes deserve extra consideration to be measured according to the level of their vulnerability to one's choices the level of their affectedness by one's choices and

no one else's Since the interests of multiple people (those

individuals most important to the moral agent) must be considered, decisions are made on a case by case basis

All-Considered Be able to successfully use each ethical

approach/perspective individually before employing this

Premise: while each theory holds weight, rarely does a moral agent operate specifically within the realm of one method of reasoning

Various theories can often complement or conflict with each other for a given situation

Evaluate how the different theories can be considered as a group to weigh the myriad of factors affecting a decision

Weigh the costs and benefits to determine what the best moral decision is

Important! An honest person cannot be identified

simply as one who, for example, practices honest dealing, and does not cheat. If such actions are done merely because the agent thinks that honesty is the best policy, or because they fear being caught out, rather than through recognising “To do otherwise would be dishonest” as the relevant reason, they are not the actions of an honest person.

How to distinguish the theories…

Practice situation: A person by the side of the road is injured. Do you help them? Why?

Ethical Decisions You help the person because as a Consequentialism – It maximizes well-

being, benefits the most people Kantianism – It follows the moral rule

“Do unto others as you would be done by”

Virtue Ethics – You’re being kind, helpful, benevolent, charitable, etc

Feminist – Helps the community by taking care of injured strangers in the area

Practice situation #2 Your friend says, “Hey, let’s have a beer.” You’re under the drinking age

What does each ethical theorist suggest?

Ethical Decisions Consequentialism – You say no because

becoming intoxicated could lead to dangerous situations (ex: medical, sexual, physical)

Kantianism – You say no, because it’s illegal for minors to drink for a reason, and as more people don’t follow the law, even more people will do the same

Virtue Ethics – You say no, because drinking is not conducive to good moral character (not a virtue)

Feminist – It could hurt those close to you, such as parents who might be disappointed

Practice situation #3 Further discussion on… “Does this dress make me look fat?” (Yes, it’s an unflattering dress)

What do you say?

Ethical decisions Consequentialism – It will make your friend happy,

so you say “no, it doesn’t” (ignorance is bliss?) Kantianism – Responds honestly because you act

as you believe everyone should act. Everyone should be honest

Virtue Ethics – the virtue of honesty prompts you to say yes… but the virtue of compassion and kindness prompts you to say no to avoid hurting your friend’s feelings.

Feminist – Determine how your friend would react, and if she can take constructive criticism, it’s best to tell her the truth to help her, and if she can’t, it’s best to say she looks pretty so she feels good about herself

Practice situation #4 You’re face to face with a man who is

“better off dead” (Perhaps he’s a serial killer)

Is it ethical to kill him?

Ethical dilemmas… Utilitarianism – It’s best for society that

you stop the man from causing any more pain and suffering by killing him

Kantianism – It’s a bad idea to kill the man because it could create a culture of cheating; you wouldn’t want other people to feel ok with killing too

Virtue Ethics – well… killing is wrong… but it is morally good to help society (dedication to the common good)

Feminist – Um…

Resources http://www.mesacc.edu/~bfvaughan/text/105/notes/deont

ology/kant.html http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/consequentialism.html http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvir

tue.html http://www.u.arizona.edu/~jannas/forth/coppvirtue.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_of_care