Ethics Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Instructor: Mark Thorsman
• Course Focus: Ethics in everyday life
• Reference Text: Ethics, Essential Readings, and Moral Theory (edited by George Scher, Routledge 2012)
• Lecture Series: 10-15 videos, each ~1 hour long

Key Concepts in Ethics

Branches of Philosophy

• Main Branches: Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, Logic, Aesthetics
• Ethics: Primary branch focused on right and wrong behavior

Definitions of Ethics (James Fizer)

1. Metaethics:

   • Investigates the origin and meaning of ethical principles.
   • Questions include: Are principles social inventions? Do they express individual emotions?
   • Issues of universal truth, divine will, reason in ethical judgments.

2. Normative Ethics:

   • Aims to establish moral standards regulating right and wrong behavior.
   • Involves good habits, duties, and consequences of behavior.

3. Applied Ethics:

   • Examines specific controversial issues (e.g., abortion, animal rights, capital punishment).

Summary of Ethical Categories

• Metaethics: Concerns the "why" of ethics.
• Normative Ethics: Concerns the "ought" of ethics.
• Applied Ethics: Concerns the "how" of ethics.

The Nature of Ethics

• Ethics as a sustained reflection on right action (Aristotle).
• Goal: Not just to know but to act rightly.
• Ethics interrupts habitual actions and encourages reflection on beliefs.

Importance of Ethical Reflection

• Ethics is unavoidable because action is essential to human existence.
• Many act out of habit without critical reflection.
• Ethics helps us evaluate whether our actions contribute to a good life.

Two Key Questions in Ethics

1. What is the origin of moral life?
   • Example philosopher: Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract Theory).
2. How should we talk about moral life?
   • Example text: Plato’s Euthyphro.

Thomas Hobbes Overview

• Leviathan: Hobbes' primary text on social contract theory.
• Key Concepts: Natural condition of humanity involves desires for happiness and avoidance of misery.
• Equality: Humans are generally equal in terms of abilities and opportunities for happiness.
• Causes of Quarrel: Competition, diffidence (safety), and glory.

State of Nature

• Described as "war of all against all."
• Life would be short, brutish, and miserable without societal structure.

Social Contract

• Individuals voluntarily give up certain rights for societal peace and security.
• Natural Law: Principles governing justice arise from seeking peace and relinquishing rights.
• Justice: Defined as a common power emerging from social agreement.

Euthyphro and Divine Command Theory

• God's Command vs. Moral Objectivity: Questions arise regarding whether moral values are independent of God or arbitrary based on divine command.
• Euthyphro Dilemma: Are actions right because God commands them, or does God command them because they are right?
  • Leads to issues about the nature of morality being either arbitrary or dependent on an external standard.

Conclusion

• Importance of engaging in ethical dialogue and reflection.
• Challenge: Conduct a real dialogue about morality using the Socratic method.

Final Thought

• Ethics requires ongoing reflection and conversation to navigate moral complexities in everyday life.