Ethical Theories and Concepts in Sport Ethics

What is the study of ethics classified under in philosophy?

Axiology, which is the study of values.

What are the four main branches of philosophy?

Metaphysics, Epistemology, Logic, and Axiology.

What does metaphysics encompass?

Cosmology (study of nature), Ontology (human experience), and Theology (study of God or religion).

According to Aristotle, what is the highest good for humans?

The complete and habitual exercise of rationality.

What two kinds of virtue does Aristotle identify?

Moral virtue and intellectual virtue.

What is epistemology?

The study of knowledge.

What are the five sources of knowledge in epistemology?

Empirical, Reason, Intuition, Authority, and Revelation.

What is the difference between induction and deduction in logic?

Induction is reasoning from specific to general, while deduction is reasoning from general to specific.

What does axiology examine?

The study of values, including aesthetics (beauty), politics (common good), and ethics (morality).

How is ethics defined?

The study of moral values of human behavior that guide individual decision-making.

What is ethical reasoning?

The process of making a correct and fair decision regarding rights and wrongs of human conduct.

What are morals?

Fundamental baseline values that dictate appropriate behavior within a group or society.

How do morality and law differ?

Laws and morality are not the same; moral behavior cannot always be legislated.

What questions are commonly discussed in ethics?

Questions include why to be moral, the value of ethics in sport organizations, and the impact of individual choices on organizations.

What challenges do individuals face regarding morality in multiple societal roles?

It is difficult to adopt one set of moral guidelines for all roles, but it is not impossible.

What must sport leaders do regarding their responsibilities?

They must assess their responsibilities and develop characteristics to accomplish their work fairly and morally.

What is the origin of the term 'ethical'?

Late Middle English, derived from 'ethic' + 'al'.

What is moral reasoning?

The process of determining right or wrong in a given situation.

What is the significance of individual interpretation in ethical differences?

Ethical differences often arise from individual interpretations of subjects or events, which may be political or religious.

What is the relationship between ethics and societal values?

Actions in sports often mirror societal values, raising questions about common moral standards.

What is a core question regarding absolute ethics?

Does absolute ethical practice exist?

What is a core question regarding the behavior of sport managers?

Do sport managers act ethically or morally in all situations?

What happens when a sport leader slides away from absolute ethics?

They may not return to a 'perfect' ethical principle.

What is the difference between situational ethics and relativism?

Situational ethics has basic principles of right and wrong and varies by situation, while relativism states there are no absolute definitions of right and wrong.

What are some moral absolutes that may ensure universal agreement?

The ethics of care, the Golden Rule, and natural law.

Who is associated with absolutist theory?

Plato.

Who is associated with relativistic theory?

Aristotle.

What does the Absolute v. Relative Ethics Line illustrate?

It shows the shift from absolute ethics to relative ethics, indicating that decisions can change one's ethical standpoint.

How can past situations influence future choices according to the notes?

If one is not reprimanded for unethical behavior, they may continue that behavior, indicating a situational ethics perspective.

What is the role of an administrative team in an organization regarding ethics?

They uphold the value system of the department or organization, influencing subordinate behavior.

How long does it typically take to develop a value system?

It usually takes years or a lifetime to mold and solidify.

What are core values according to the notes?

Core values/beliefs are constant and unchanging, deeply instilled in individuals.

What are permeable values?

Permeable values are non-constant and highly unstable, changing more than core values.

What influences an individual's core values?

Parents, siblings, peers, employers, faith/religion, community, friends, and more.

How do daily choices impact core values?

Small, daily choices over time shape and reflect one's core values.

What is the origin of the term 'teleological'?

It comes from the Greek word 'telos,' meaning end, focusing on the end result of an action as the determinant of its morality.

What is the main focus of teleological ethics?

The end result of an action is the sole determining factor of its morality.

What is the relationship between choices and values?

Choices drive and develop our value system; without choices, it is difficult to learn our own values.

What is the significance of evaluating daily choices?

Evaluating daily choices reveals one's values through activities, friendships, language, and time spent.

What is the ripple effect of decisions?

Every decision has continuous ripple effects on other decisions, influencing future choices.

How do shared values differ from core values?

Shared values/social norms are changing, while core values/beliefs are constant and unchanging.

What is the impact of organizational decisions on individual behavior?

Organizational decisions can positively or negatively influence subordinate behavior.

What is the significance of experiential learning in ethical choices?

Experiential learning can influence future ethical choices by providing choices that shape values.

What does it mean if a decision is viewed as situational ethics?

It indicates that the decision may change based on circumstances rather than adhering to a fixed ethical principle.

What characterizes teleological moral systems?

They focus primarily on the consequences of actions.

What is the main principle of consequentialism?

An action is morally right if its consequences are more favorable than unfavorable.

When did consequentialist theories become popular?

In the 18th century.

What is the first principle of consequentialist ethics?

To tally both the good and bad consequences of an action.

What is the second principle of consequentialist ethics?

To determine whether the total good consequences outweigh the total bad consequences.

How is moral responsibility determined in consequentialism?

By weighing the consequences of our actions.

What is the basis for correct moral conduct in consequentialism?

A cost-benefit analysis of an action's consequences.

What defines ethical egoism?

An action is morally right if its consequences are more favorable to the agent performing the action.

What defines ethical altruism?

An action is morally right if its consequences are more favorable to everyone except the agent.

What defines utilitarianism?

An action is morally right if its consequences are more favorable to everyone.

What is the overall conclusion of teleological or consequentialist ethical theory?

Actions are judged morally right based on their consequences.

How is teleological theory applied in sports?

It focuses on the end result regardless of the ethical path taken to achieve it.

What is deontological ethics based on?

Specific, foundational principles of obligation.

What does the term 'deontological' derive from?

The Greek word 'deon,' meaning duty.

What is a key characteristic of deontological ethics?

It does not concern itself directly with the consequences of actions.

What are deontological principles sometimes called?

Nonconsequentialist principles.

What is the moral implication of making choices that result in correct consequences?

We are acting morally.

What is the moral implication of making choices that result in incorrect consequences?

We are acting immorally.

What is the significance of the pressure to be competitive in sports regarding ethical theories?

It drives the application of teleological theory.

What is the focus of consequentialist moral systems?

The outcomes of actions rather than the actions themselves.

What is the relationship between ethical egoism and the agent's interests?

It prioritizes the agent's own favorable consequences.

What distinguishes ethical altruism from ethical egoism?

Ethical altruism considers the well-being of others over the agent's own interests.

What is the main assumption of Deontological Ethics?

Certain moral rights exist prior to social conventions and laws.

What is the primary rule of Deontological Ethics?

Respect the rights of others.

How are rights correlated in Deontological Ethics?

Rights are correlated with duties or responsibilities.

What must one understand to make correct moral choices in Deontological Ethics?

One must understand their moral duties and the correct rules that regulate those duties.

What determines moral behavior according to Deontological Ethics?

Following one's duty leads to moral behavior, while failing to do so leads to immorality.

What is a classic example of conflicting duties in Deontological Ethics?

Borrowing a neighbor's gun and being torn between returning it and preventing harm.

According to Ross, how do we identify our actual duty in a conflict?

We intuitively know which duty is our actual duty and which is our prima facie duty.

What are Kant's views on moral duties?

Kant believed we have moral duties to oneself and others, such as developing talents and keeping promises.

What are prima facie duties according to W.D. Ross?

Responsibilities that include fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence.

What does Deontology focus on?

Deontology focuses on duties and rights.

How are actions judged in a deontological ethical theory?

Actions are judged morally right based on how well they conform to a set of duties.

What characterizes deontological moral systems?

A focus on adherence to independent moral rules or duties.

What is the main focus of virtue ethics?

The development of good character traits rather than strict adherence to rules or consequences.

What are some examples of good character traits emphasized in virtue ethics?

Kindness, honesty, and generosity.

What is the historical significance of virtue ethics?

It is one of the oldest normative traditions in Western philosophy, rooted in ancient Greek civilization.

Which philosophers are associated with virtue ethics?

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

What are the four cardinal virtues emphasized by Plato?

Wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.

What are some other important virtues mentioned by virtue ethics theorists?

Fortitude, generosity, self-respect, good temper, and sincerity.

How do formed habits affect ethical decision-making according to virtue ethics?

They allow a person to make ethical decisions throughout life.

What are vices according to virtue theorists?

Vices are bad character traits such as cowardice, insensibility, injustice, and vanity that should be avoided.

What is the role of bad habits in virtue theory?

Bad habits of character, like greed, anger, malice, or dishonesty, need to be broken to foster moral growth.

How do vices affect moral growth?

Vices prevent a person's development of good virtues.

What does virtue theory emphasize regarding moral education?

It emphasizes that virtuous character traits are developed in youth and that adults are responsible for instilling these virtues.

What do virtue theorists stress about developing good habits?

They stress the importance of developing good habits of character, such as benevolence, rather than just learning rules.

How do virtues regulate emotions according to Aristotle?

Virtues are good habits that help regulate emotions, allowing individuals to respond appropriately to their feelings.

What is the mean in Aristotle's virtue theory?

Most virtues fall at a mean between more extreme character traits, such as courage being the mean between cowardice and rashness.

What is necessary to find the perfect mean between extreme character traits?

Assistance from reason is necessary to find the perfect mean.

What is the focus of virtue ethics?

Virtue ethics focuses on the development of good character traits, regardless of consequences or duties.

What influences the development of core values?

Core values are influenced by parents, grandparents, family, peers, employers, faith, community, and friends.

How do values change according to the Values Circle?

Values are more changing and permeable as one moves outward from the inner core circle.

How do laws differ from morality?

Laws and morality are not the same; moral behavior cannot always be legislated, and acting morally is a choice.

Why is it difficult to adopt a single set of moral guidelines?

People often hold multiple positions in society, making it challenging to adopt just one set of moral guidelines.

What must managers assess in business ethics?

Managers must assess their responsibilities and choose virtues that help them complete their work fairly and morally.

What should leaders do to ensure morality in the workplace?

Leaders should establish clear standards of moral behavior, encourage moral judgment reviews, provide support structures, and make clear that violations will not be tolerated.