WEEK_3
Page 1
Ethics Overview
Ethics refers to the principles of right and wrong behavior within a particular group or profession.
It assesses the moral fitness of decisions and actions.
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Moral Reasoning
Moral judgments must be supported by good reasons.
Morality necessitates impartial consideration of individual interests.
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Understanding Moral Truth
Feelings alone can hinder the discovery of truth and may stem from biases.
We should base our feelings on rational reasoning.
Questions can be posed against moral claims; lack of good reasoning renders them arbitrary.
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Assessing Moral Arguments
Distinguish moral judgments from personal tastes.
Gather accurate facts and use reliable sources.
Apply moral principles to specific instances, ensuring they are justified.
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Impartiality in Ethics
Impartiality means treating everyone equally without favoritism.
Moral judgments must be justified; discrimination arises from arbitrary treatment.
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Minimum Conception of Morality
Morality is guiding conduct by reason and considering everyone’s interests equally.
A conscientious moral agent scrutinizes facts, principles, and reflects prior convictions and who finally is willing to act on these deliberations.
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Cultural Moral Codes
Different cultures hold different moral standards, leading to significant moral dilemmas.
Example of Eskimo customs regarding infanticide and end-of-life practices.
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Relativism in Ethics
Moral relativists argue there are no universal truths in morality.
Customs vary by culture, and each is viewed as valid without a common standard.
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Skepticism Toward Ethics
Cultural relativism promotes skepticism about the objectivity of moral judgments.
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Tenets of Cultural Relativism
Societies possess distinct moral codes.
Societal codes define right actions within that culture.
No objective standard exists to judge these codes.
No single cultural code is superior to another.
Judging other cultures is viewed as arrogant.
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Contradiction in Cultural Relativism
Tension exists between subjective moral standards and the call for cultural tolerance.
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Cultural Differences Argument
Moral differences between cultures are used to conclude that morality is subjective.
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Examples of Cultural Differences
Moral views on infanticide vary drastically between Eskimos and Americans.
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Evaluating the Cultural Differences Argument
Argument is flawed; disparate beliefs do not negate the possibility of objective truths.
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Shared Human Values
The reasons behind practices like Eskimo infanticide are tied to survival, not inherent moral deficiencies.
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Survival Context in Morality
Multiple factors, including lack of resources, influenced cultural practices.
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Gender Disparities in Value
Male infants were prioritized due to societal structure and survival needs.
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Cultural Practices and Moral Norms
Infanticide arose from necessity; choices reflected survival pressures rather than disdain for life.
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Importance of Protecting Children
Cultures demonstrate a foundational necessity to care for children for survival.
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Value of Honesty Across Cultures
Communication necessitates valuing honesty; societies that lack this foundational truth cannot function.
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Prohibition Against Murder
Society's foundation rests on prohibitions against violence, which is universally recognized.
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Universal Moral Rules
Despite cultural differences, certain prohibitions like murder are universally upheld.
Shared values often arise from humanity’s basic needs.
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Recognition of Cultural Differences
While societies differ, shared values exist beneath diverse moral codes.
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Critique of Cultural Relativism
Societies can and do hold erroneous beliefs about morality.
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Objective Morality and Critiques
Significant moral practices warrant universal critique; some moral truths exist, transcending culture.
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Equality of Moral Codes
While moral codes are diverse, all are not equally valid or sound.
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The Need for Moral Judgments
Not all cultural practices warrant tolerance; some actions, like torture, should be universally condemned.