UNIT 3: THINKING OF ETHICS

- Thinking of ethics involves considering principles, values, and moral standards that
guide human behavior and decision making.

THINK:
- Before studying ethics, we’ve already made judgments about how people should
behave. Ethics help us think carefully about everyday choices and how we discuss
ethical matters.

CLARIFICATIONS:
1. We need to clarify the terms “ethics” and “morals” along with related words like ethical,
unethical, immoral, and amoral. Here, an example is that “cooking is not ethical” means
that it is not a moral issue, while “stealing is not ethical” means that it is unethical, or
morally wrong. That's why we need to be careful of using negation in the context of
ethics.
2. The text explains the opposites of the words "ethical" and "moral" as "unethical" and
"immoral" respectively. It also introduces the word "amoral" to describe situations that
are neither morally right or wrong, such as cooking or reading a book.
3. The terms "morals" and "ethics" are often used interchangeably, but they have different
meanings. Morals are specific beliefs or attitudes, while ethics is the study of human
behavior and ideal ways of thinking. Ethics is a part of philosophy and involves
determining acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Professional ethics guide how
people should behave in specific fields, such as legal ethics for lawyers and medical
ethics for doctors and nurses. The terms "moral judgment" and "moral reasoning"
suggest a rational aspect to morals. In everyday conversation, these terms are not
always strictly separated.
4. Ethics can be distinguished between descriptive and normative studies. Descriptive
studies report moral valuations without judgment, while normative studies ask what is
considered the right way of acting. Social scientists like historians, sociologists, and
anthropologists study different moral standards across cultures. It is important to
recognize whether one is concerned with a descriptive or normative perspective when
discussing ethics.
5. This text says that discussing ethics isn't just about understanding the ethics of a specific
group at a certain time and place, nor is it about accepting one particular theory. Instead,
it involves critically thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of different theories.
This will be the main focus of the text.
6. Moral issues refer to situations that call for moral valuation, such as the question of
respect for one's property. They are often the source of considerable and inconclusive
debate. When confronted with the choice of what act to perform, one is called to make a
moral decision. A moral dilemma occurs when an individual can choose only one from a
number of possible actions, and there are compelling ethical reasons for the various
choices. This is referred to as a moral issue.
REASONING:
1. A. We often perceive certain actions as right or wrong based on societal norms,
personal values, and ethical principles. For example, honesty is generally
considered right because it fosters trust and integrity in relationships, while
dishonesty is considered wrong because it can lead to deception and betrayal.
B. We consider certain behaviors acceptable or unacceptable based on societal
norms, values, and standards. These norms often reflect what is deemed as
beneficial or harmful to individuals or society as a whole. For example, in many
cultures, honesty is considered acceptable because it fosters trust and
cooperation among people. Conversely, dishonesty is often deemed
unacceptable because it can lead to deception, distrust, and harm to others.
C. We often judge actions as right or wrong based on moral principles, social
norms, laws, and consequences. For example, Stealing is generally considered
wrong because it violates the principle of respecting others' property rights, goes
against societal norms, and is punishable by law.
2. A. No, our actions are not solely motivated by a concern for getting rewards and
avoiding punishments. For example We might volunteer at a local shelter
because we genuinely care about helping others, not just because we expect a
reward or fear punishment if we don't volunteer.
B. Yes, it's possible. Example:

Acceptable: Instead of just considering an action wrong because it's against the law, we
might find it acceptable if we consider its potential positive impact on society, such as
civil disobedience for a just cause.

Unacceptable: Rather than just deeming an action unacceptable due to personal

distaste, we might find it more unacceptable if we consider its violation of fundamental
human rights, such as discrimination based on race or gender.

3. The text discusses the concept of making moral decisions based on principles,
rather than just rewards and punishments. It suggests that one can rise above
the specifics of a situation and arrive at a statement like "Cheating is wrong."
This happens when one recognizes proper reasons for not acting in this way,
such as a sense of fairness or respect for testing. Principles can be defined as
rational grounds for justifying and maintaining moral decisions and judgments.
4. The text is discussing the concept of maintaining moral principles and the
reasons for doing so. It uses the example of fraternity hazing to question why it is
wrong to cause harm to others. It also delves into the different reasons that
people may have for believing in certain principles, such as the sanctity of life or
the impact on human happiness. The text suggests that moral theories provide a
systematic way to understand and justify these beliefs.
5. Studying different frameworks can help us reflect on and strengthen our
principles for better moral judgments and decisions.
 6. The book discusses ethical frameworks from philosophy, not an exhaustive list,
focusing on significant and influential thinkers and ideas for ethical discernment.
7. The selection of ethical frameworks in this book represents a deliberate focus on
exploring deeply impactful and influential theories from the history of philosophy.
By prioritizing a select few, readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of
the foundational principles that have shaped ethical discourse. For instance,
delving into the works of Aristotle, Kant, and Mill offers insight into virtue ethics,
deontology, and utilitarianism respectively, providing a diverse range of
perspectives for ethical discernment.
8. Socrates argues that engaging in contemplation and discussion of questions on
goodness and virtue is the pinnacle of human endeavor, leading to self-discovery
and enlightenment. By dedicating oneself to these pursuits, individuals not only
enhance their understanding of moral concepts but also refine their own
character, contributing to personal growth and societal betterment. For instance,
through dialogues like Plato's "The Apology," Socrates encourages readers to
critically examine their beliefs and values, fostering intellectual development and
ethical awareness.
9. Appealing to a particular form of authority in ethics can be problematic because
it may not always align with universal moral principles. For example, justifying
actions solely based on religious doctrine might overlook the diversity of beliefs
in society and ignore the autonomy of individuals.

EXPERIENCE: