What is Ethics?

Overview

• Ethics derived from "ethos" (Greek) meaning custom/character.
• Branch of philosophy studying the rightness/wrongness of human actions.
• Involves defining right conduct and the good life.

Evolution of Ethics

• No single absolute definition due to socio-cultural and political changes.
• Greek Tradition: Focus on the good life, happiness (e.g., Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics").
• Judeo-Christian Tradition: Focus on righteousness before God and love of neighbor.

Ethics vs. Morality

• Ethics: Theory of right action and greater good (systematic study).
• Morality: Practical aspect (rightness/wrongness of actions).
  • Morality tells us what we ought to do, guided by reason.

Concepts in Ethics

• Terence McConnell: Morality as a rational enterprise with norms for peaceful coexistence.
  • Aims to guide actions by reason and balance individual interests.
• Ethics = science of morals; Morality = practice of ethics.

Methodology of Ethics

• Normative Ethics:
  • Prescriptive, setting norms for right or wrong conduct.
  • Example: Kant's theory of duty.
• Meta-Ethics:
  • Descriptive, understanding the nature and origins of moral facts.
  • Example: Plato's questioning of morality.
• Applied Ethics:
  • Application of ethical theories to specific situations.
  • Examples: Business ethics, biomedical ethics.

Types of Ethics

• Normative Ethics: Evaluative and prescriptive.
• Meta-Ethics: Analytical and descriptive.
• Applied Ethics: Practical application in real-world situations.

Example Situation

• Police officer shoots a terrorist to prevent mall bombing:
  • Meta-Ethics: Killing is intrinsically wrong.
  • Normative Ethics: Act may be right to save many lives.
  • Applied Ethics: Officer fulfilling duty to protect lives.

Conclusion

• Ethics is a dynamic field with varying interpretations over time and context.
• Continued exploration through daily discussions aids understanding.
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