Overview
This lecture introduces the concept of ethics, exploring its definitions, distinctions from morality, and the major branches within ethical philosophy.
Introduction to Ethics
- Ethics comes from the Greek word "ethos," meaning custom or character.
- Ethics is a branch of philosophy that studies the rightness or wrongness of human actions.
- The main goal of ethics is to use reason to seek the good and define right conduct and the good life.
- There is no absolute, unchanging definition of ethics because it evolves with social, cultural, and political changes.
Historical Perspectives on Ethics
- Greek tradition linked ethics to the concept of the good life and happiness.
- Aristotle’s "Nicomachean Ethics" focuses on happiness and how it is attained.
- The Judeo-Christian tradition emphasizes righteousness before God and the love of God and neighbor over the pursuit of happiness.
Ethics vs. Morality
- Ethics is the theory or systematic study of the principles of right action and the greater good.
- Morality refers to the actual practice of rightness or wrongness in actions.
- Ethics is more about understanding and evaluating moral principles; morality is about prescribing and following those principles.
- Morality aims to guide action by reason and considers all individuals' interests.
Major Branches of Ethics
- Normative ethics sets standards or norms for right and wrong behavior and develops guidelines for how we should act.
- Example: Kant’s theory that actions are morally right if done out of duty.
- Meta-ethics examines the meanings and origins of ethical terms and concepts, asking questions like "What is good?" or "Why should I be moral?"
- Example: Plato’s exploration of the reasons for being moral.
- Applied ethics applies ethical theories to real-life moral problems (e.g., abortion, euthanasia) and provides guidance for specific situations.
- Fields of applied ethics include business ethics, biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, and social ethics.
Practical Example: Types of Ethics
- In a situation where a police officer must shoot a terrorist to save lives:
- Deontological (normative) ethics might claim killing is always wrong.
- Consequentialist (normative) ethics may justify the action to prevent more deaths.
- Applied ethics analyzes the specific case to advise on the most ethical action.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ethics — the philosophical study of right and wrong conduct.
- Morality — the practice and application of ethical principles.
- Normative Ethics — prescribes standards for right and wrong behavior.
- Meta-ethics — studies the meanings and origins of moral concepts.
- Applied Ethics — uses ethical theories to solve real-world moral issues.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review differences between ethics, morality, and the three branches of ethics.
- Prepare examples of moral dilemmas to analyze using each ethical branch.