Chapter 3 Morality A set of rules for right conduct A system used to modify and regulate behavior Quality system in human acts by which we judge them right or wrong 3 Definitions Descriptive Normativeuniversal ID: 706345
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Slide1
Morality and Ethics
Chapter 2
Chapter 3Slide2
Morality
A set of rules for right conduct
A system used to modify and regulate behavior
Quality system in human acts by which we judge them right or wrong
3 Definitions
Descriptive
Normative/universal
Synonymous with ethics
Concerns set of shared rules, principles, and duties
Independent of religion
Applicable to all in a group or society
Has no reference to the will or power of one individualSlide3
Descriptive Definition of Morality
A set of rules or codes of conduct that governs human behavior in matters of right or wrong.Slide4
Normative Definition of Morality
An ideal code of conduct that would be observed by all rational people, under specified conditions.Slide5
Definition synonymous with Ethics
The systematic philosophical study of the moral domain.Slide6
Why Do We Have Moral Theories
MacDonnell: Moral theories “seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into our moral deliberations.”Slide7
Moral Decision Making
Considerations
Facts surrounding the situations
T
aking into account the interests of all parties involved
Taking into account the moral principles involved
Take into account how the decisions will affect others.
Helps us perceive moral principles
Use reason to determine the best way to achieve the highest moral good
Distinguish between primary and secondary moral principles
Primary – general
Secondary – more specific
Make rational calculations of the consequences of our actionsSlide8
Definitions of Moral Codes
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Rules or norms within a group for what is proper behavior for the members of that group.
Rules or norms provide the measure
Complex definitions of right and wrong
Different cultures have different codes
Morality is relative to time
Some are timeless and culture-freeSlide9
Moral Standard
Standard by which we compare human actions to determine their goodness or badness.
Morality sets standards of virtuous conduct
Mechanisms to self-regulate through enforcement and self-judge through guiltSlide10
Law
Webster’s Dictionary
Rule of conduct or an action recognized by custom or decreed by a formal enactment, community, or group.
Black
An art we can create and model
Contemporary critics
Instrument of exercising power
Bryan Bourn
An art and an instrument for exercising power.
Fagothey
Rule and measure of actions directing them to proper ends
Physical
MoralSlide11
Natural Law
Unwritten but universal
Theory
Eternal
Absolute moral law
Can be discovered by reason
Derivable from reason
Applies to all rational creatures
Exists independently of human preference and inclinations
Applied cross-culture
Anchor of right of self-preservation, liberty, and propertySlide12
Conventional Law
Created for and by humans
Usually created in public deliberations
Derived from moral code that is enforceable
Varies society to society
Takes 2 forms
Declarative
Simply restates what the natural law declares
Forbidding murder theft
Determinative
Fixes ways of acting in accordance with natural laws
Contracts, taxes, trafficSlide13
Penal Code
Laws useless without punishment
Three functions of punishment system
Retributive – pay back the criminal
Corrective – improve the offender
Deterrent – prevention of similar actionsSlide14
Morality and the Law
Serve the purpose of keeping society stable and secure
Used in making judgments about people’s actions
Judgments are justifiable by reason
Means to achieve purpose is different
The process of making codes and laws
Enforcement
Nature of punishment
Conflict resolution
Types of
judgement
Slide15
Ethics
Origins – Greeks
Greeks studied themselves, human life and society
Lead to study of human conducts
Definition: a study of right and wrong in human conduct
Another definition: Theoretical examination of morality
Solomon: a set of “theories of value, virtue, or of right (valuable) action.
Johnson: set of theories “that provide general rules or principles to be used in making those rules”Slide16
Important
“Ethics helps us not only in distinguishing between right and wrong but also in knowing why and on what grounds our judgment of human actions is justified.”Slide17
Purpose of Ethics
Interpret human conduct
Acknowledging and distinguishing between right and wrong.
Interpretation is done based on a consisting of a mixture of inductions and deductions.
Uses process of argumentation
Argumentation consists of a mixture of inductions and deductions
Generally based on historical schools of thoughts or ethical theoriesSlide18
Consequentialism
Human actions are judged good or bad depending on the results of the actions
Thee general types of Consequentialism
Egoism: Individual interests and happiness above everything else
Utilitarianism: Group interests and happiness above individual
Act Utilitarianism: Consider the consequences of an action for the ones which will benefit the most
Rule Utilitarianism: Obey the rules that brings max happiness to max people
Altruism: Action is right if the results of the action is good for everyone but the actorSlide19
Deontology
Does not concern itself with the consequences of an action rather the will of act
If a person committing an act had a good reason for doing so
Example:
An armed person comes into your house
You shoot the intruder
You did it because you had a duty to your protect your family and your property.
Action was good Slide20
Human Nature
All human beings are endowed with all faculties and capabilities to live in happiness.
Humans are supposed to discover the develop those capabilities.
The capabilities become the benchmark for actions
Actions judged on how much they measure up to capabilitiesSlide21
Relativism
There is no existence of universal moral norm
Right and wrong are relative to society, culture, or the individual.
Moral norms are not fixed in time.Slide22
Hedonism
One of the oldest ethical theories
Pleasure is the only good thing in human life
End of life is the highest good
Maximize pleasure or minimize pain
2 types
Psychological – what people seek each day is pleasure
Ethical – people ought to seek pleasure & pleasure is the moral good
Modern hedonism pleasure = happinessSlide23
Emotivism
Ethical statements are neither true nor false
Ethical statements cannot be proven
Ethical statements are really only statements about how someone feelsSlide24
Kantianism
Developed by German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
People’s actions ought to be guided by universal moral laws
Moral laws are derived from reason
Should be able to cite why an action is right
or wrongSlide25
Ethical Reasoning
Reasoning – human cognitive process of looking for ways to generate or affirm a proposition
Cognitive processes – mental processes
Logic – tool for distinguishing between truth and falsehood
Ethical Reasoning – integrating ethical principles in the reasoning processSlide26
Ethical Decision Making Process
Recognize inherent ethical conflict through
Comprehension
Appreciation
Evaluation of all ethical dimensions of problem
Know the parties involved
Being aware of alternatives
Demonstrating knowledge of ethical practices
Understanding how the decision will be implemented
Understanding who will be affected
Understand and comprehend the impact Slide27
Information Resulting from the Ethical Decision Making
Confirmation that the problem is really an ethical problem
Additional facts are or are not needed to resolve the problem
Key ethical theories, principles, and values identified
Strength and validity of the ethical theory chosen
To make an ethical decision you must “weigh” the argument against the alternatives and chose the “best”
Often must layer the reasoning.Slide28
Code of Ethics
Regiment rules or guidelines followed by members of a respective group.
Can take any of the following forms
Principles which may act as guidelines for some document
Public policies including aspects of acceptable behavior, norms, and practices of a society or group
Codes of conduct which may include ethical principles
Legal instruments which enforce good conduct through courtsSlide29
ACM Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
8 general moral imperatives
8 more specific professional responsibilities
6 organizational leadership imperatives
Affirmation of compliance with the codeSlide30
Objectives of Code of Ethics
Disciplinary: ensures professionalism and integrity
Advisory: good source of tips and offer advice
Educational: educational tools
Inspirational
PublicitySlide31
Ethical Issues Associated with Changing Technology
Different Temptations
Speed
Privacy and anonymity
Nature of medium
Aesthetic attractions
Increased availability of potential victims
International scope
The power to destroy
Different Means of Delivery
Complacent Society