ethical language

s.a burns: ‘36 meanings of the word “good”‘

1. which definition of ‘good’ is open to philosophical disagreement and why?

• of moral excellence, upright

2. which definition of ‘right’ is open to philosophical disagreement and why?

• conforming with or conformable with morality

3. how are functional definitions and concrete examples related?

• functional goodness: “the cup is good because it holds my tea and keeps it warm” (fulfils its purpose)

• ethical goodness: “the girl is good because she helped the old lady get off the bus”

meta-ethics reading

1. what can we conclude about the term good?

• has many meanings, most not even used in moral context

  • eg “my computer is good”

    • fulfils required task, not given moral status though

2. explain the difference between using a term descriptively rather than prescriptively?

3. explain the difference between an ethical and a moral dilemma

• ethics: rules n principles of behaviour, such as a code of conduct that may exist in a particular culture or organisation

• morality: your personal principles n habits of behaviour that you yourself believe to be right

4. what is the difficulty with the statement “killing is wrong?”

• complicated bc then faced with various situations eg:

  • war

  • self-defence

  • capital punishment (?)