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.

Page 2

Moral Reasoning

• Moral judgments must be supported by good reasons.

• Morality necessitates impartial consideration of individual interests.

Page 3

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.

Page 4

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.

Page 5

Impartiality in Ethics

• Impartiality means treating everyone equally without favoritism.

• Moral judgments must be justified; discrimination arises from arbitrary treatment.

Page 6

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.

Page 7

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.

Page 8

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.

Page 9

Skepticism Toward Ethics

• Cultural relativism promotes skepticism about the objectivity of moral judgments.

Page 10

Tenets of Cultural Relativism

1. Societies possess distinct moral codes.

2. Societal codes define right actions within that culture.

3. No objective standard exists to judge these codes.

4. No single cultural code is superior to another.

5. Judging other cultures is viewed as arrogant.

Page 11

Contradiction in Cultural Relativism

• Tension exists between subjective moral standards and the call for cultural tolerance.

Page 12

Cultural Differences Argument

• Moral differences between cultures are used to conclude that morality is subjective.

Page 13

Examples of Cultural Differences

• Moral views on infanticide vary drastically between Eskimos and Americans.

Page 14

Evaluating the Cultural Differences Argument

• Argument is flawed; disparate beliefs do not negate the possibility of objective truths.

Page 15

Shared Human Values

• The reasons behind practices like Eskimo infanticide are tied to survival, not inherent moral deficiencies.

Page 16

Survival Context in Morality

• Multiple factors, including lack of resources, influenced cultural practices.

Page 17

Gender Disparities in Value

• Male infants were prioritized due to societal structure and survival needs.

Page 18

Cultural Practices and Moral Norms

• Infanticide arose from necessity; choices reflected survival pressures rather than disdain for life.

Page 19

Importance of Protecting Children

• Cultures demonstrate a foundational necessity to care for children for survival.

Page 20

Value of Honesty Across Cultures

• Communication necessitates valuing honesty; societies that lack this foundational truth cannot function.

Page 21

Prohibition Against Murder

• Society's foundation rests on prohibitions against violence, which is universally recognized.

Page 22

Universal Moral Rules

• Despite cultural differences, certain prohibitions like murder are universally upheld.

• Shared values often arise from humanity’s basic needs.

Page 23

Recognition of Cultural Differences

• While societies differ, shared values exist beneath diverse moral codes.

Page 24

Critique of Cultural Relativism

• Societies can and do hold erroneous beliefs about morality.

Page 25

Objective Morality and Critiques

• Significant moral practices warrant universal critique; some moral truths exist, transcending culture.

Page 26

Equality of Moral Codes

• While moral codes are diverse, all are not equally valid or sound.

Page 27

The Need for Moral Judgments

• Not all cultural practices warrant tolerance; some actions, like torture, should be universally condemned.