What is ethics?
A branch of philosophy that deals with questions about how people should act.
How is ethics different from science?
Science focuses on what is - descriptive, factual.
Philosophy/ethics focuses on what should be - normative, value-driven
What are the 3 main branches of ethics?
- normative
- descriptive
- mataethics
What is normative ethics? Provide an example.
Deals with principles and rules about what is morally right or wrong.
ex. should we always tell the truth?
What is descriptive ethics (ethology)? Provide an example.
Describes how people behave morally in different cultures or societies. Doesn’t judge but rather studies human moral behaviour.
ex. anthropological studies on how different cultures understand justice.
What is metaethics? Provide an example.
Studies the meaning of ethical concepts and how we justify moral beliefs.
ex. what does “justice” mean? Is morality objective or subjective?
Who founded utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham
Joh Stuart Mill
Utilitarianism is consequence-based ethics. What does that mean?
Actions are judged by their outcomes.
What are core principles in utilitarianism?
- Principle of consequence - right actions bring more good than bad.
- Principle of utility - the best decision is the one that maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering.
- Hedonism - happiness is the ultimate goal
- Social principle - “the greatest happiness of the greatest number” is the moral foundation.
What did Immanuel Kant found?
Deontological ethics (Kantianism)
Ethics is duty-based - what do they mean?
An act is morally right if it follows universal moral laws, regardless of consequences.
What are key concepts of deontological ethics?
- categorical imperative - act only according to rules that could become universal laws.
- moral duties - we must follow ethical norms because they contain intrinsic values.
- intention matters - a good action is morally right if it is done with good intentions.
- human dignity - humans must be treated as ends, not means.
Compare utilitarianism and deontology
utilitarianism - judge actions by consequences. right action maximizes happiness
deontology - judge actions by moral rules and duties. right action is the one that follows ethical principles regardless of consequences
What did Lawrence Kohlberg do?
Proposed a six-stage model of how people develop moral reasoning
What are the 6 stages of Lawrence Kohlberg?
Pre-conventional level - childhood:
1. Obedience and punishment
2. Self-intereest (benefit-oriented)
Conventional level - adolescence and adulthood:
3. Good child stage
4. Law and order
Post-conventional level - mature morality:
5. Social contract
6. Universal moral principles
Define and give an example of obedience and punishment
actions are right if they avoid punishment
ex. I won’t steal because I’ll get caught
Define and give an example of self-interest (benefit-oriented)
actions are right if they benefit oneself.
ex. I’ll be good if I get a reward.
Define and give an example of good child stage.
right actions are those approved by others.
ex. I’ll help because my family expects it
Define and give an example of law and order
mortality means following laws and social rules
ex. stealing is always wrong because it’s illegal.
Define and give an example of social contract.
laws should serve human rights and justice. if laws are unjust, they should be changed.
ex. slavery was legal but it was morally wrong.
Define and give an example of universal moral principles.
people act based on universal ethical values like fairness, justice and compassion.
ex. I will always do what is right even if it breaks the law.
What did Kohlberg find out?
Most people do not reach the post-conventional level and stay in conventional morality, simply following rules rather than questioning them.
Who was Adolf Eichmann?
A nazi officer that organized the transport of Jews to concentration camps.
At Adolf Eichmann trial, what did he claim?
That he was just following orders.
