Ethics as Rule Following

• Introduction to Ethics as Rule Following
  • In "Beyond Authority", Weston proposes a common understanding of ethics as rule-following.
  • It is often asserted that much of our ethical reasoning is predetermined by moral rules or religious commandments.
  • The challenge of questioning these rules or dealing with ambiguity may be discouraged or outright prohibited.
  • Definition of a Moral Rule: A moral rule is described as a general statement delineating what individuals are required to do or prohibited from doing, or what they are permitted to do.
  • The key idea is that these rules dictate moral obligations and permissions.

Following the Rules

• Partner Activity

  • Discuss the following for 2-3 minutes in pairs:
  • Brainstorm moral rules: Examples include:
    • "Don’t kill"
    • "Be kind to strangers"
  • Prompt: What moral rules did you come up with?

• Challenges of Following Rules

  • The concept of ethics as merely following rules faces significant challenges:
  • Exceptions: Almost all rules have exceptions where they don’t apply.
  • Conflicts: Some moral rules may be in direct conflict with one another.
  • Ambiguity: Many rules can be vague, leading to multiple interpretations.
  • Problematic Nature: Certain rules may seem incorrect or unjust.
  • While these rules can be helpful in learning ethics, deeper reflection and reasoning are required to resolve tensions between rules.
  • Question: If individual reflection is still necessary, what is the ultimate necessity of moral rules? What functions do they serve?

The Law and Morality

• Ethics and the Law

  • Weston connects authority in ethics with the law, questioning whether ethical behavior equates to legal compliance.
  • General Principle: Following the law is typically aligned with being moral, as laws protect from harm and uphold promises (e.g., contracts, marriage vows).
  • This connection suggests that laws address basic needs and expectations, thus entering the moral domain by definition.

• Democratic Representation of Law

  • When legislative systems reflect democratic processes, there are moral imperatives to respect the law.
  • Moral Respect: Obeying laws shows respect for others within the moral community.
  • Social Order: Adhering to laws is essential to maintaining social order and protecting fundamental values.
  • Question: Do you believe Weston’s view that, ideally, we should respect laws is correct? Is the current state of democratic systems ideal?

• Moral Obligations Beyond the Law

  • Weston identifies that moral obligations exceed mere legal requirements:
  • One can comply with laws yet act immorally (e.g., being a "moral Scrooge").
  • Laws primarily prohibit harm (e.g., theft) but do not legislate morality such as charity giving.
  • Question: Why might law stop at merely prohibiting harms without requiring further moral actions? What should the law's role be?

• Conflict Between Law and Morality

  • Weston highlights another significant issue: laws can contradict moral principles.
  • Example cases include unjust laws, such as those that enforce racial segregation or restrict personal freedoms.
  • Dilemma of Just Laws: The ethical consideration should be asked if such laws are good, right, or fair, particularly regarding issues like abortion, environmental toxins, and marriage equality.

• Evaluating the Relationship between Law and Morality

  • Key Points:
  • Following the law is not a reliable indicator of moral correctness because:
    • Laws often lack sufficient depth regarding moral rightness.
    • Laws can be unjust.
  • Moral reflection is essential for assessing laws; hence laws must align with moral considerations.
  • Question: How should this inform our discussions around specific ethical issues? What relevance does law have in ethical discourse?

Religious Commandments and Ethical Reflection

• Religious Teachings as Ethical Guides

  • Questions around the effectiveness of religious teachings (e.g., the Ten Commandments) as definitive ethical guides arise.
  • The assumption that they offer unquestionable moral rules is challenged, revealing the need for personal ethical contemplation.
  • This critique extends to scripture indicating the necessity for individual thinking (
  • Source Citation: p. 29).

• Problems with Religious Commandments

  • Weston identifies three main challenges regarding religious commandments:
  1. Ambiguity and Interpretation: Diverse interpretations can arise from the same commands.
  2. Selective Obedience: Adhering only to certain commandments while ignoring others.
  3. Incompatibility: Conflicts may arise between different religious commandments.
  • Conclusion: Ethical reflection is vital even concerning religious ethics, as it helps determine the correct ethical path.

Dogmatism and Self-Rationalization

• Defining Ethics through Reflection

  • Ethics described is a reflective process. While reflection is crucial, individuals often evade it.
  • Methods of Evasion: Weston identifies two common methods:
  • Dogmatism
  • Self-Rationalization

• Dogmatism

  • Definition: Dogmatism is characterized by an unwavering commitment to one's moral beliefs, which obstructs openness to alternative views.
  • Quote: "We all know the kind of people who are so committed to their moral beliefs that they cannot see any other side, no matter how many facts or further considerations come along. This can look like thinking…but in fact it is dogmatism." (p. 7)
  • Question: Why is dogmatism at odds with ethical reflection? What problems arise from it? How can individuals mitigate their dogmatic tendencies?

• Self-Rationalization

  • Defined as offhand self-justification, this avoidance mechanism presents reasons in discussions but lacks genuine critical engagement.
  • It manifests as defensive responses when challenged, prioritizing self-defense over open dialogue.
  • Example: If challenged, an individual might rush to defend their viewpoint without genuinely considering the validity of the challenge.
  • Question: Why is self-rationalization detrimental to constructive discussion? What are ways to overcome this behavior?

Five Suggestions for Ethical Thinking

• In "Getting Started" (p. 16), Weston presents suggestions aimed at fostering personal and intellectual growth through ethical thinking:
  1. Welcome challenges to your own viewpoints.
  2. Pursue the facts in ethical discussions.
  3. Broaden your experience to encompass diverse perspectives.
  4. Expect depth in ethical considerations.
  5. Welcome change in views as a part of growth.