Ethical Concepts
Ethics The study of right or correct behavior
The Ethics Chart
Ethics Objectivism Relativism Absolutism Contextual Conventionalism Subjectivism Absolutism 4
Divine Command Theories God s tells us what is right or correct behavior Religions
Social Contract Theory An agreement among people to share certain interests and make certain compromises for the good of them all Society decides moral rules 6
Deontological Ethics Greek: deon = duty Ethics based upon duty Moral acts have intrinsic value
Teleological Ethics Greek: teleos = end / purpose Ethics based upon the consequences or ends of the action
Naturalistic Fallacy Is = Ought Confusing what is with what ought to be
Criteria for Ethical Theories 1. Clear, well-defined concepts 2. Consistent statement No Contradictions 10
3. Should tell us how to act in all situations Abortion Euthanasia Death Penalty Sex and Love 11
4. The Simpler the better Occam s Razor Less likely to make mistake Easier to follow 12
5. Should be based upon the most complete evidence available Many decisions lead to wrong action because of incorrect information
Herodotus Custom is King
Ruth Benedict 1887-1948 American Anthropologist Patterns of Culture Argues for Moral Relativism Conventionalism
Conventionalism Each society decides their own moral principles
Ethnocentricity The attitude that one s society or culture is superior to all others
Social Systems Communities with common Beliefs and Practices
Morality is dependent on the varying HISTORIES and ENVIRONMENTS of the different cultures
1. All people have a variety of basic behaviors
2. The cause for one behavior to be chosen (accepted) over another is due to the different histories and environments these different cultures / societies experience
3. After the culture / society has chosen its acceptable behaviors, it produces a holistic grand design (religion / theory) favoring those behaviors
4. These cultures / societies can differ greatly from one another 5. But there is no justification to say that one system is better than another
6. Normal = Culturally Acceptable 7. Abnormal = Not Culturally Acceptable
Benedict s Examples Trance and Catalepsy Homosexuality The Berdache Extreme Paranoia The Kwakiutl
Benedict s Conclusions 1. We no longer make the mistake of believing that our morality is the right morality and all others are wrong
2. Morality differs from each society and really is a term for socially approved habits
3. Most people could conform to the expects norms of their society regardless of what they might happen to be
4. Moral Relativism (Conventionalism) is the correct moral theory
Analysis of Moral Relativism Diversity Thesis There are different / diverse moralities in the world The Dependency Thesis Moralities are dependent upon their society for validation
Conventionalism No objective moral principles Society decides what is morally right and wrong
Problems 1. No criticisms of other societies morality
2. Hitler s actions morally right if accepted by his society
3. What about a sub-culture within a larger culture / society
4. To justify one s behavior, we simply create our own culture / society
5. Reformers will always be wrong because they will be going against the accepted morality (Socrates) M.L. King)
Ethical Subjectivism Morality is determined by the Individual
Problems 1. Allows for no criticism of anyone s behavior
2. Hitler Rule
3. What if I want to hurt you?
Counter-Examples 1. Tolerance 2. No Murder 3. No Rape 4. Truth-Telling
Why is Moral Relativism Accepted? 1. Most people think morality is private thing 2. Evils of ethnocentricity 3. Decline of Religion in Western Society