RE SAC - UNIT 2 AOS 1

• Ethics – Rules of conduct that guide actions based on what’s right and wrong.
  
  

• Morals – Personal beliefs about right and wrong behavior.
  
  

• Pluralism – Accepting multiple perspectives or values in society.
  
  

• Conscience – Inner sense of what is right or wrong.
  
  

• Objective – Based on facts, not influenced by personal feelings.
  
  

• Subjective – Based on personal feelings or opinions.
  
  

• Stakeholder – Anyone affected by a decision or issue.
  
  

• Viewpoint – A person’s perspective or opinion.
  
  

• Ethical Perspective – A way of looking at what is right or wrong based on a theory.
  
  

• Amorality – Having no sense of morality (neutral, not good or bad).
  
  

• Laws – Rules set by governments that must be followed.
  
  

• Moral Compass – A guide (like conscience) that helps decide what’s right or wrong.
  
  

• Ethical Principle – A basic rule to guide ethical decisions (e.g. honesty).
  
  

• Moral Values – Personal standards of behavior (e.g. kindness, fairness).
  
  

• Immorality – Deliberate violation of moral principles.
  
  

• Highest Good – The ultimate goal of morality or the best possible outcome.
  
  

• Democratic Society – A society where people have equal rights and freedom to vote.
  
  

• Normative Standards – Accepted rules about how people should behave.
  
  

• Social Norms – Common behaviors expected in a society.
  
  

• Mores – Deeply held cultural beliefs about morality.
  
  

• Intuition – Knowing or sensing something without logical reasoning.
  
  

• Assumptions – Beliefs taken for granted without proof.
  
  

• Ethical Authority – A person or source considered credible in making ethical judgments.
  
  

• Ethical Decision-Making – The process of choosing actions based on ethical reasoning.
  
  

Consequentialist Ethics (Focus: Outcome)

• Utilitarianism – The right action brings the most happiness to the most people.
  Example: Saving 5 lives over 1 in a hospital decision.
  
  

• Humanism – Focuses on human welfare and dignity, aiming for human flourishing.
  
  

Deontological Ethics (Focus: Duty)

• Natural Law – Right and wrong are found in nature and human reason (e.g. protect life).
  
  

• Kantian Ethics – Actions must follow universal moral rules (e.g. never lie).
  
  

• Divine Command Theory – Right and wrong are determined by God's commands.
  
  

Virtue Ethics (Focus: Character)

• Being a good person (e.g. honest, brave) is more important than rules or outcomes.
  
  

Strengths & Weaknesses of Approaches

Applying Ethics in Law (Vocational Setting: Lawyer)

• Dilemma: Defending a client you know is guilty.
  
  

• Stakeholders: Lawyer, client, victim, court, public.
  
  

• Ethical Theory Used:
  
  

  • Deontology: Fulfilling duty to represent the client.
    
    

  • Utilitarianism: Ensuring fair legal system benefits all.
    
    

• Strengths: Protects right to a fair trial, preserves justice system integrity.
  
  

• Weaknesses: Personal morals may conflict with legal duty.

• Personal Example: Telling a friend the truth vs sparing feelings.
  Approach: Intuition + Subjectivism
  
  

• Work Example: Reporting a co-worker’s error.
  Ethics Used: Duty (deontology), but emotionally hard.
  Challenge: Loyalty vs honesty.