introduction to ethics

meta-ethics: the study of the origin and meaning of ethical concepts » ‘what is morality?’

normative ethics: is the study of ethical action; looking at what is morally right or wrong » ‘what is moral?’

• ethics is a practical subject; it attempts to make sense of decisions, consequences, human beings n life

• ethics is different for everyone:

  • for some it is purely rational and logical

  • for others is is driven by human feelings n desire

  • other may appeal to a higher divine ‘law maker’

  • some may believe that moral laws are changeable

actions vs consequences:

• actions » deontological ethics » the rightness or wrongness is absolutely determined by the act itself » the act of stealing is wrong » stealing is always wrong regardless of circumstances

• consequences » teleological ethics » the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its outcome. it is relative to its ends » stealing is wrong » however it can be justified if the circumstances allow eg a mother stealing to feed a starving child

universal vs situational:

• universal

  • morality is fixed n unchanging

  • remains the same at all times and in all place, for all people

• situational

  • morality is entirely dependent upon the situation

  • what is right or wrong can change over time, in different places and for different people

well