(Ethics) Exam 1 Review PDF

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Ethics Exam 1 Review (Chapter 1) Philosophy- the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality & existence Morality- principles concerning the distinction between right & wrong or good & bad behavior (judgements, rules, theories) Ethics- the philosophical study of morality (investigates, describes, evaluates) Morality v. Ethics Morality 

Proposes & demands a certain action [customs, standards]

Ethics 

Outlines a condition that should result [conduct, character]

Risks of NOT Doing Ethics   

Loss of personal freedom Confused or mistaken views Stunted moral growth

Critical Reasoning- careful & skilled logical thinking to achieve a responsible choice/goal (philosophy- the systematic use of critical thinking to answer the most fundamental questions in life) 4 Branches of Philosophy 1. 2. 3. 4.

Ethics- studies morality Logic- studies correct reasoning Metaphysics- studies the nature of reality Epistemology- studies knowledge

Types of Ethics 

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Scientific Approacho Descriptive ethics  Focuses on empirical data  Sociology, Psychology, Arthrology Philosophy Approach o Normative Ethics  Pertains to judgement of standards & norms  Studies: the principles, rules, or theories that guide actions  Purpose: to establish the soundness of moral norms (right or wrong) o Metaethics  Pertains to the meaning of moral beliefs  Studies: logical structure of norms  Purpose: to question assumptions that inform normative ethics o Applied Ethics

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Pertains to applying ethics Studies: the practice of moral beliefs in specific fields and cases Purpose: study the results & adequacy of normative ethics

Ethical Judgments  

Value- refers to the person Obligation- refers to a person’s duties

The 4 Main Elements of Ethics 

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The Preeminence of Reason- ethics involves the dominance of critical reasoning o Moral judgements that are worthy of acceptance MUST result from sound logical reasoning The Universal Perspective- Ethics requires that moral judgements follow The Principle of Universalizability o A moral statement applying in 1 situation must apply in all other similar situations The Principle of Impartiality- Morally, all people are = should be treated according (equally) o The only differences are morally acceptable relevant differences (age, accountability, mental competency, etc.) o The welfare & interests of everyone should be given the same weight as all other individuals w/out bias The Dominance of Moral Norms- When moral norms conflict w/ nonmoral norms, moral considerations should outweigh prevail & win o Moral considerations should have more weight & more importance than nonmoral o Even bad laws that require moral-civil disobedience (ex. Slavery) o Even good judgement might require a moral override (helping strangers)

Ethical Triggers- Irrational, usually unconscious &/or bias things that tend to hinder sound ethical reasoning 1. Ethical Blindness a. When one is unaware that their actions are immoral or unethical b. One has an unconscious inability to see that ethical dimensions of a choice/issue c. May relate to unintentional unethical behavior you might agree with 2. Emotional Blindness a. The clinical term for this experience is called alexithymia b. It is the inability to recognize emotions & their subtleties & textures (affects 10% of the population) 3. Emotional Hot Spot a. Topic that “trigger” strong, at times intense & usually very irrational emotional reactions to certain issues w/out identifiable reason b. Examples- abortion, war, gun control, race, etc....