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Morality and Ethics. Chapter 2 Chapter 3. Morality. A set of rules for right conduct A system used to modify and regulate behavior Quality system in human acts by which we judge them right or wrong 3 Definitions Descriptive Normative/universal Synonymous with ethics - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Morality and EthicsChapter 2Chapter 3
Morality
A set of rules for right conduct A system used to modify and regulate behavior Quality system in human acts by which we judge them right or
wrong 3 Definitions
Descriptive Normative/universal Synonymous with ethics
Concerns set of shared rules, principles, and duties Independent of religion Applicable to all in a group or society Has no reference to the will or power of one individual
Descriptive Definition of Morality
A set of rules or codes of conduct that governs human behavior in matters of right or wrong.
Normative Definition of Morality
An ideal code of conduct that would be observed by all rational people, under specified conditions.
Definition synonymous with Ethics
The systematic philosophical study of the moral domain.
Why Do We Have Moral Theories
MacDonnell: Moral theories “seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into our moral deliberations.”
Moral Decision Making Considerations
Facts surrounding the situations Taking into account the interests of all parties involved Taking into account the moral principles involved Take into account how the decisions will affect others.
Helps us perceive moral principles Use reason to determine the best way to achieve
the highest moral good Distinguish between primary and secondary moral
principles Primary – general Secondary – more specific
Make rational calculations of the consequences of our actions
Definitions of Moral Codes Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Rules or norms within a group for what is proper behavior for the members of that group.
Rules or norms provide the measure Complex definitions of right and wrong
Different cultures have different codes Morality is relative to time Some are timeless and culture-free
Moral Standard
Standard by which we compare human actions to determine their goodness or badness.
Morality sets standards of virtuous conduct Mechanisms to self-regulate through enforcement
and self-judge through guilt
Law Webster’s Dictionary
Rule of conduct or an action recognized by custom or decreed by a formal enactment, community, or group.
Black An art we can create and model
Contemporary critics Instrument of exercising power
Bryan Bourn An art and an instrument for exercising power.
Fagothey Rule and measure of actions directing them to proper ends
Physical Moral
Natural Law
Unwritten but universal Theory
Eternal Absolute moral law Can be discovered by reason Derivable from reason
Applies to all rational creatures Exists independently of human preference and
inclinations Applied cross-culture Anchor of right of self-preservation, liberty, and property
Conventional Law
Created for and by humans Usually created in public deliberations Derived from moral code that is enforceable Varies society to society Takes 2 forms
Declarative Simply restates what the natural law declares
Forbidding murder theft
Determinative Fixes ways of acting in accordance with natural laws
Contracts, taxes, traffic
Penal Code
Laws useless without punishment Three functions of punishment system
Retributive – pay back the criminal Corrective – improve the offender Deterrent – prevention of similar actions
Morality and the Law
Serve the purpose of keeping society stable and secure
Used in making judgments about people’s actions Judgments are justifiable by reason Means to achieve purpose is different
The process of making codes and laws Enforcement Nature of punishment Conflict resolution Types of judgement
Ethics
Origins – Greeks Greeks studied themselves, human life and society Lead to study of human conducts Definition: a study of right and wrong in human
conduct Another definition: Theoretical examination of
morality Solomon: a set of “theories of value, virtue, or of
right (valuable) action. Johnson: set of theories “that provide general rules
or principles to be used in making those rules”
Important
“Ethics helps us not only in distinguishing between right and wrong but also in knowing why and on what grounds our judgment of human actions is justified.”
Purpose of Ethics
Interpret human conduct Acknowledging and distinguishing between right
and wrong. Interpretation is done based on a consisting of a
mixture of inductions and deductions. Uses process of argumentation Argumentation consists of a mixture of inductions and
deductions Generally based on historical schools of thoughts or
ethical theories
Consequentialism
Human actions are judged good or bad depending on the results of the actions
Thee general types of Consequentialism Egoism: Individual interests and happiness above
everything else Utilitarianism: Group interests and happiness above
individual Act Utilitarianism: Consider the consequences of an action for
the ones which will benefit the most Rule Utilitarianism: Obey the rules that brings max happiness
to max people Altruism: Action is right if the results of the action is good
for everyone but the actor
Deontology
Does not concern itself with the consequences of an action rather the will of act
If a person committing an act had a good reason for doing so
Example: An armed person comes into your house You shoot the intruder You did it because you had a duty to your protect your
family and your property. Action was good
Human Nature
All human beings are endowed with all faculties and capabilities to live in happiness.
Humans are supposed to discover the develop those capabilities.
The capabilities become the benchmark for actions Actions judged on how much they measure up to
capabilities
Relativism
There is no existence of universal moral norm Right and wrong are relative to society, culture, or
the individual. Moral norms are not fixed in time.
Hedonism
One of the oldest ethical theories Pleasure is the only good thing in human life End of life is the highest good Maximize pleasure or minimize pain 2 types
Psychological – what people seek each day is pleasure Ethical – people ought to seek pleasure & pleasure is
the moral good Modern hedonism pleasure = happiness
Emotivism
Ethical statements are neither true nor false Ethical statements cannot be proven Ethical statements are really only statements about
how someone feels
Kantianism
Developed by German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
People’s actions ought to be guided by universal moral laws
Moral laws are derived from reason Should be able to cite why an action is right or
wrong
Ethical Reasoning
Reasoning – human cognitive process of looking for ways to generate or affirm a proposition
Cognitive processes – mental processes Logic – tool for distinguishing between truth and
falsehood Ethical Reasoning – integrating ethical principles in
the reasoning process
Ethical Decision Making Process Recognize inherent ethical conflict through
Comprehension Appreciation Evaluation of all ethical dimensions of problem
Know the parties involved Being aware of alternatives Demonstrating knowledge of ethical practices Understanding how the decision will be implemented Understanding who will be affected Understand and comprehend the impact
Information Resulting from the Ethical Decision Making
Confirmation that the problem is really an ethical problem Additional facts are or are not needed to resolve the problem Key ethical theories, principles, and values identified Strength and validity of the ethical theory chosen
To make an ethical decision you must “weigh” the argument against the alternatives and chose the “best”
Often must layer the reasoning.
Code of Ethics
Regiment rules or guidelines followed by members of a respective group.
Can take any of the following forms Principles which may act as guidelines for some
document Public policies including aspects of acceptable
behavior, norms, and practices of a society or group Codes of conduct which may include ethical principles Legal instruments which enforce good conduct through
courts
ACM Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct 8 general moral imperatives 8 more specific professional responsibilities 6 organizational leadership imperatives Affirmation of compliance with the code
Objectives of Code of Ethics Disciplinary: ensures professionalism and integrity Advisory: good source of tips and offer advice Educational: educational tools Inspirational Publicity
Ethical Issues Associated with Changing Technology Different Temptations
Speed Privacy and anonymity Nature of medium Aesthetic attractions Increased availability of potential victims International scope The power to destroy
Different Means of Delivery Complacent Society