Understanding Ethics

Introduction

• Fila Notes aims to simplify key topics in philosophy.
• Today's focus: What is ethics?

Definition of Ethics

• Derived from Greek word ethos (custom/character).
• Branch of philosophy studying the rightness or wrongness of actions.
• Concerned with how humans ought to act and the search for the good life.

Evolution of Ethics

• No single absolute definition due to socio-cultural and political changes.
• Greek Tradition:
  • Focused on the concept of the good life.
  • Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: Theory of happiness and how to attain it.
• Judeo-Christian Tradition:
  • Emphasis on righteousness before God and love of God and neighbor.
  • Challenges of reconciling doing what is right with being happy.

Ethics vs. Morality

• Ethics is not synonymous with morality.
• Ethics:
  • Theoretical study of right action and the greater good.
• Morality:
  • Practical application of ethical principles.
  • Prescriptive in nature, guiding actions.
• Terence McConnell's definition of morality:
  • A rational enterprise promoting norms for peaceful coexistence.
• Ethics as the science of morals; morality as the practice of ethics.

Methodology of Ethics (20th Century)

• Introduction of two main approaches:
  1. Normative Ethics:
     • Prescriptive, setting norms for right and wrong.
     • Examples include guidelines on good habits and duties.
  2. Meta Ethics:
     • Descriptive, focusing on the meaning of ethical terms.
     • Asks questions about the nature and origin of moral facts.

Applied Ethics

• Application of ethical theories to specific moral problems.
• Casuistry:
  • Concerned with individual moral dilemmas (e.g., abortion, euthanasia).
  • May provide advisory roles for decision-making.
• Fields of applied ethics include:
  • Business ethics
  • Biomedical ethics
  • Environmental ethics
  • Social ethics

Example of Ethical Dilemma

• Scenario: A police officer shoots a terrorist.
  • Meta ethics view: Killing is intrinsically wrong.
  • Normative ethics view: Officer's action could be considered right to save innocent lives.
  • Casuistry view: Officer performing his duty to protect lives.

Conclusion

• Ethics is complex and dynamic, influenced by context and philosophy.
• Ongoing exploration in the field of ethics is essential.
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