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Ethics

A Short Introduction to Its Origin

Prof. Dr. S. B. KIM CNU (Chungnam Nat’l University)

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Outline

1. Aims and structure of the lecture series

2. Origin & Inevitability of philosophical ethics

3. Schedule of lecture topics See CNU homepage (www. cnu.ac.kr)

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Power point slides Available via the cyber-lectures page of my homepage:

www.cnu.ac.kr/~ksbkant/

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1. Aims and structure of the lecture series

Major study lecture course for second class students in dept. of philosophy at CNU

Provide general information about the philosophical discipline “ethics”

also, opportunity to make an argument about contemporary ethical issues

- abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, conchy etc.

(after intermediate exam.)

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2. Origin & Inevitability of philosophical ethics

1) Origin of the concept “Ethic(s)”: etymological meaning

2) Birth of Ethics: why or in what sense inevitable?

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1) Origin of the concept “Ethic(s)”: etymological meaning

Aristotle (BC 384-322): Ethika Nikomacheia, Ethika Eudemeia, Ethika megala

Zenon v. Kition (BC 336?-264?): divided philosophy into three parts, namely logica, physica & ethica.

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Meaning of “ethos”, “ethike”

“Ethos”: accustomed place, haunts or abodes of animals or men → manner, character, custom and convention

“Ethike” is adjective form of “ethos”

so, it means “related to custom or convention”

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Excursion: “practical philosophy”?

“praxis” has a broad meaning

① movement in general (celestial bodies, physical things, living things etc.)

② biological living process of animals or plants ③ human activity including theoretical, thinking, moral, productive activity

* Aristotle’s practical philosophy includes and may include: ethics, politics, rhetoric, poetics

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2) Birth of ethics: why or in what sense inevitable?

Ethos (convention) has its own function: “Entlastungs-funktion” (function of relief or exoneration)

※ Why weren’t they (the Greeks) contented with ethos and had to develop ethics?

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Ans.: inevitable, when ethos loses its self-evidence (matter of course)

Self-evidence (Selbstverständlichkeit)?

What is it? or When we miss it?

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“It is contrary to my conviction that I take lives of other people or take aim with a rifle at them in order to keep my peace ….”

Q: Why did you choose to go to prison? Military service would be more comfortable for you.

A: They say, the latter is easier one. I don’t know yet, which one would be easier… But it seems to me that it’s not the problem of convenience or easiness. I can’t make decision contrary to my conviction. Prison is the second best.

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On what reason ethics emerged in ancient Greece?

Geographical & cultural conditions:

the Mediterranean Sea → “an ocean like a lake” 

 

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Herodotus (BC 484-430): Historia (inquiry, knowledge, information, account, story etc. gained by experiences!)

Unidentified: Dissoi logoi (Double Arguments)

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Conclusion:

When ethos seems to lose its self-evidence (with respect to its validity), a demand for a philosophical ethics appears.

Philosophers make questions about ethos and try to find out reliable answer.

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Topics for next class

Basic terminologies of ethics: “ethics, ethic and moral”. “the good” “the bad”, “justice or injustice” etc.