Introduction to Ethics Chapter 1

What is ethics?

the reasoned study of what is morally right and wrong, good and bad

What is applied ethics?

the actual use of moral standards of conduct in making decisions about ethical issues

What is critical thinking?

informed and logical thought or logical problem solving

What is an ethical (moral) issue?

a question, problem, situation, or action that contain legitimate matters of moral right or wrong

What is moral sensitivity?

the ability to recognize ethical issues when confronted with them

What are ethical principles?

general guidelines of ethical behavior; the “should” statements of ethics

Give an example of an ethical principle

people should tell the truth; people should respect the rights of others; people should treat others as they want to be treated

What are virtues?

character traits that make up a moral life

Name 5 virtues

1. honesty

2. compassion

3. courage

4. integrity

5. generosity

What are values?

beliefs, qualities, traditions, or standards that are considered important and worthy

What are moral judgements?

ethical decisions about whether actions are right or wrong

What does “moral” mean?

actions judged consistent with good ethical thinking and decision-making

What does “immoral” mean?

actions contrary to good moral reasoning

What does “nonmoral” mean?

actions outside the ethics environment that normally have no moral effects on others

Which is likely nonmoral: choosing a blue shirt or stealing money?

choosing a blue shirt

What does the “pervasiveness of ethics” mean?

ethical issues are present in every area of human life

What ethical value is important in every compartment of life?

trust

True or False: Ethics only applies to major scandals

False

Name three areas where ethics appears

family, work, school, business, politics, sports, religion, friendships

What is relativism?

the belief that there are no moral standards that apply to everyone

What are the two forms of relativism?

subjective relativism and cultural relativism

What is subjective relativism?

what is right and wrong varies from person to person

What is cultural relativism?

what is right and wrong varies from culture to culture

What is absolutism?

the belief that there is one correct answer to every ethical question

What danger comes from absolutism?

narrow-mindedness and intolerance

What is legalism?

the belief that ethics and law are basically the same thing

Why is legalism a barrier to ethical thinking?

because some laws may be immoral or unjust

According to Dr. King, how many kinds of laws are there?

just laws and unjust laws

What is just law?

a law that agrees with moral law and uplifts human personality

What is an unjust law?

a law out of harmony with moral law that degrade human personality

Why did Dr. King consider segregation laws unjust?

because they degrade human dignity and personality

What famous quote from St. Augustine did King use?

“an unjust law is no law at all”

What are Dr. King’s three criteria for breaking unjust laws?

openly, lovingly, and with willingness to accept the consequences

True or False: King believed all laws should always be obeyed

False

What is plagirism?

using the words, ideas, or creative works of others while giving the impression they are your own

Is paraphrasing without citation plagiarism?

Yes

Is copying from the internet without citation plagiarism?

Yes

What is collusion?

working with another person on an assignment meant to be completed individually

What is duplicate submission?

submitting the same paper in multiple classes without permission

What is fabrication?

inventing data or falsifying information to deceive

What is bribery in academics?

offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something to gain academic advantage

What percentage of undergraduates in McCabe’s study admitting cheating?

68%

Why is cheating self-defeating?

it undermines learning, self-confidence, and character

According to Aristotle, what kind of character does repeated cheating create?

a cheating character

Why do schools promote academic integrity?

to protect fairness, learning, institutional integrity, and professional ethics