Philosophy 111 What is Philosophy?

Critical inquiry into the fundamental nature of “stuff”.

Ethics Also called

“moral philosophy”

Branch of philosophy concerned with the evaluation of human conduct

Ethics "Ethics is a code

of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the purpose and course of our lives.“ --- Ayn Rand

Ethics vs. Morality “Morality” deals

with beliefs concerning right and wrong

These beliefs can include:- judgments- values- rules- principles- theories

“Ethics” is the philosophical study of morality

Ethics- What ought we do

- What type of person ought we become

Ethics How do we

know right from wrong?

Where do we our ethical beliefs come from?

What does ‘doing ethics’ mean? Deliberating about the

rightness or wrongness of actions

Examining the soundness of your (and other people’s) moral outlook

Questioning whether your moral decision-making rests on coherent supporting considerations

Ethics Usually divided

into three general areas

1. Meta-ethics2. Normative ethics

3. Applied ethics

Meta-ethics Investigates the origin of our ethical

principles and what they imply

- Are Ethics merely social inventions?

- Are there moral facts?

- Why should we do the “right” thing?

Normative Ethics Arrives at moral standards that regulate

right and wrong conduct

- How do we decide what is right from wrong?

- What good habits should we acquire?

- What duty do we have to others?

Applied Ethics

Examines specific controversial issues

Examples:

-- Abortion -- Capital punishment -- War -- Animal rights

Elements of EthicsWhat is it about ethics that make it unique?

Elements of Ethics1. Preeminence

of Reason

Elements of Ethics2. Universal

Perspective

Elements of Ethics3. Principle of

Impartiality

Elements of Ethics4. Dominance

of Moral Norms