01 Handout 1A: Introduction to Ethics and Moral Philosophy

Ethos

Ethics originates from this Greek word.

Character or custom

The Greek word ethos means:

Moralis

Morality comes from this Latin word:

Customs or manners

The Latin word moralis is referring to:

Ethics

It is the set of rules or principles that help people decide what is good or bad, right or wrong.

Ethics

They guide real-life actions, like whether lying is wrong or helping others is good.

• Values

• Beliefs

• Culture

Ethics are shaped by these:

Moral Philosophy

It is the broader field that explores where those ethical rules come from, why they exist, and how they are justified.

Moral Philosophy

It asks deeper questions, like “What makes an action morally right?” or “Is morality universal or relative?”

Ethics

It is more of “what to do.”

Moral Philosophy

It is more of “why and how we decide what to do.”

Ethics

While moral philosophy helps us understand the reasoning behind our actions, this is what helps us to really act on them.

Moral Philosophy

Ethics helps us act, while this helps us understand the reasoning behind those actions.

Ethics

Its importance extends beyond individual choices.

Ethics

It plays a vital role in fostering a just and harmonious society.

1. Guiding Personal Behavior

2. Promoting Social Harmony

3. Encouraging Critical Thinking

4. Influenced by Policy and Governance

These are the main reasons why ethics matter.

Guiding Personal Behavior

Ethics helps individuals cultivate integrity and accountability.

Guiding Personal Behavior

When people adhere to ethical standards, they build trust and respect within their relationships, resulting in stronger connections.

Promoting Social Harmony

Ethical principles foster cooperation and understanding among people.

Promoting Social Harmony

Societies that prioritize ethics are often more peaceful, as individuals are more likely to consider the impact of their actions on others.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

Engaging with ethical questions encourages individuals to consider their values and beliefs.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

This reflection can lead to personal development and a deeper understanding of oneself and others.

Influenced by Policy and Governance

Ethics is essential for developing laws and social norms.

Influenced by Policy and Governance

Ethical considerations shape policies that govern society, ensuring they promote justice and equality.

Ethics

It plays a crucial role in human interactions and decision-making.

Ethics

It helps individuals and societies establish moral guidelines and evaluate the impact of their actions.

• Moral Reasoning

• Moral Dilemma

The scope of ethics include:

Moral Reasoning

It is the process of thinking about what is right and wrong.

Moral Reasoning

It helps us decide the best action based on our values, beliefs, and principles.

Moral Reasoning

“When deciding whether to help a friend, we might consider fairness, kindness, or honesty.” — This is an example of?

Moral Dilemma

It is a situation where we must choose between two actions with both good and bad aspects.

Moral Dilemma

The decision can be difficult, as both choices can feel right and wrong simultaneously.

Moral Dilemma

“Choosing between telling the truth and protecting someone's feelings can be <?>.”

Rules

Ethics guides our decisions, while this help implement these principles in society.

Rules

Social beings depend on these to uphold values and maintain order within our communities.

Rules

Humans need them to live together, interact, and achieve common goals. Without them, life would be chaotic, and relationships could be ruined.

CLEAR

For effectiveness, setting rules must be:

Clear rules

These ensure understanding, fairness, and a safe, respectful environment.

• Cooperation

• Law and Order

• Equality

• Accountability

• Rights Protection

CLEAR Rules:

Cooperation

Rules promote working together towards common goals, fostering teamwork and community growth.

Cooperation

Example: “In a sports team, rules like passing the ball and taking turns allow players to work together towards winning the game.”

Law and Order

Rules help maintain structure and predictability, reducing confusion and ensuring society functions smoothly.

Law and Order

Example: “The rule requiring people to wear car seat belts helps reduce injuries and keeps drivers and passengers safe, maintaining order on the road.”

Equality

Rules promote fairness by ensuring everyone follows the same guidelines and prevent unequal treatment.

Equality

Example: Anti-discrimination laws in hiring practices ensure that all candidates, regardless of gender or ethnicity, have equal employment opportunities.

Accountability

Rules encourage individuals to take responsibility for their actions and their effects on others.

Accountability

Example: “In a company, rules for reporting mistakes or errors in a project encourage employees to take responsibility, learn from their actions, and improve performance.”

Rights Protection

Rules protect individual rights and freedom, ensuring respect for all members of society.

Rights Protection

Example: Laws protecting freedom of speech allow individuals to express opinions without fear of government punishment to ensure respect for basic human rights.

RISK

When rules are broken, it can cause harm to individuals and groups. It leads to:

• Ruins trust

• Interferes with harmony

• Stalls progress

• Keeps consequences

RISK stands for:

Ruins trust

Breaking rules damages relationships and teamwork.

Ruins trust

Example: “A friend breaks a promise to keep a secret, causing the trust to fade and the friendship to suffer.”

Interferes with harmony

Violating rules creates conflict and disrupts peace within the group.

Interferes with harmony

Example: “In a workplace, if an employee continually violates company policies, it creates tension and frustration among colleagues, leading to a toxic work environment.”

Stalls progres

Continued disregard for rules maintains chaos and instability, hindering progress.

Stalls progress

Example: “A driver who repeatedly ignores traffic rules, such as speeding or running red lights, can cause accidents and disrupt traffic flow, creating chaos on the road.”

Keeps consequences

Breaking rules leads to punishments or negative outcomes, reinforcing accountability.

Keeps consequences

Example: “A student cheats on an exam and faces suspension, affecting their academic record and opportunities.”

Key Branches

Ethics is a diverse field with <?>, each addressing different aspects of moral philosophy.

1. Normative Ethics

2. Metaethics

3. Applied Ethics

Three main branches of ethics:

Normative Ethics

It focuses on establishing standards or norms for behavior.

Normative Ethics

It seeks to answer the question: “What should I do?” or “What is the right thing to do?”

Metaethics

It explores the nature of ethical statements and judgments.

Metaethics

It addresses questions such as: “What do we mean when we say something is right or wrong?”

Metaethics

It asks if moral truths exist on their own (moral realism) or depend on personal feelings (ethical subjectivism).

Applied Ethics

It involves the practical application of ethical principles to specific issues or fields, such as business, medicine, and environmental concerns.

Applied Ethics

It seeks to address real-world dilemmas by applying normative ethical theories to concrete situations.