Title: Ethics in Social Context
Author: Ms. Saumya Jayawardane
Department: Public Administration
Faculty: Management
Definition: Social ethics refers to the principles and guidelines adopted by a group to determine acceptable behavior.
Key Concept: It is a branch of applied ethics, addressing social problems through ethical reasoning.
Purpose: Good coexistence within society.
Fundamental principle: Respect the rights of others for mutual respect.
Emphasizes that every action has consequences affecting individuals and society.
Complexity arises in determining appropriate behaviors for social harmony.
Social ethics views individuals in the context of their society.
Challenges: Diverse views lead to informal resolutions for harmonious coexistence.
Established norms: Respect for life, institutions, and rights.
Norms govern behavior for co-existence.
Governs interactions with both the environment and institutions.
Focuses on beneficial behaviors for individuals and society overall.
Rejects harmful actions; promotes voluntary relationships with mutual benefits.
Requires awareness of what is right and wrong.
Promotes cooperation and initiative; encourages voluntary compliance with societal norms.
Family
First social contact; instills norms and values crucial for societal development.
Emphasizes the importance of individual responsibilities and rights.
Society
Establishes rules and behavioral standards.
State
Enforces rules and administers consequences for violations.
Governs human behavior.
Establishes universal principles.
Philosophical and abstract framework.
Rejects coercive influences.
Definition: Norms dictate appropriate public behavior deemed good and right.
Types:
Formal Norms: Legally established rules (laws, policies).
Informal Norms: Unwritten social behaviors learned through observation and socialization.
Formal Norms: Laws, employment guidelines; consequences for violations.
Informal Norms: Behavioral etiquette like greetings, identity etc.
Environmental respect; kindness; institutional respect; individual rights.
Traits such as tolerance, equality promotion, and honesty.
Respect for others' ideas; avoiding corruption and criminal behavior; fulfilling responsibilities.
Relationships categorized under:
Society
Community/Culture
Family
Individual
Explanation: Established belief systems, behaviors, and relationships that organize society and fulfill its needs.
Role: Shaping values and norms related to gender and race, especially through family influence.
Framework for regulating social behavior, each with unique impacts.
Primary social institution, responsibility for kinship and child care.
Function: Provides academic knowledge and cultural values; two forms:
Formal Education: Structured, with specific objectives.
Informal Education: Unstructured learning through daily interaction.
Comprises beliefs and practices concerning the sacred.
Organize society's production, exchange, and consumption of goods.
Maintains order and public welfare through enforcement and social services.
Encompasses interactions within various roles in society.
Examples: Teachers, friends, parents, clergy, employees, employers, spouses.
Sinhalese
Tamils
Muslims
Burghers
Task: List ethical principles/norms for any social occasion (e.g., wedding, funeral).
Lists various social media platforms and technologies.
Facilitates sharing of ideas and information among users.
User-generated content fosters engagement; 4.7 billion users globally.
Major platforms include Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp.
Overview of monthly active users on key platforms (Facebook leads).
A set of guidelines aimed at promoting responsible behavior on social media.
Transparency: Identify and disclose affiliations and interests.
Respect: Honor the privacy and rights of others.
Responsibility: Share accurate and truthful content.
Authenticity: Avoid deception or manipulation.
Accountability: Users must be prepared for their impacts.
Self-Disclosure: Risks of sharing personal information.
Users may feel pressured to disclose unwanted information.
Invasion of Privacy: Constraints imposed by social media usage.
Content Creation/Selling: Data collection by companies for app development.
Goal: Understand societal functioning and moral guiding principles.
Historical roots trace back to Hebrew prophets advocating for justice and love.
Human Dignity
Respect for Life
Family/Community Participation
Rights and Duties
Common Good
Option for the Poor
Work and Workers
Solidarity
Stewardship
Everyone has inherent value; requires respect irrespective of background.
Life is sacred; family is central to social structure and participation is crucial.
Balance between rights and responsibilities fosters human dignity and community health.
Essential social conditions to reach human potential; includes promotion of rights, prosperity, and peace.
Prioritization of the vulnerable; the need for their inclusion in societal frameworks.
Emphasis on protecting workers' rights to ensure human dignity and well-being in economic contexts.
Acknowledgment of the content presented.