1
Friday, Unit January 11, 2008 2:43 PM
Week I (January 9-11): Introduction to Moral Theory P: XI-XV BB:pp. 1-6 Week 2 (January 14-18): Ethics and Religion January 21: M.L. King Day Holiday Week 3 (January 23-25): Ethical Relativism and Objectivism P: 19-20, 33-51 BB: pp.7-12 Week 4 (January 28-February l): Ethics and Egoism P: 53, 79-86 BB: pp. 12-16
Introduction to Moral Theory
P: General Introduction BB: p. 1-6
Friday, January 11, 2008 2:06 PM
Mutual trust is required for a market to function Morals- made of a collection of principles Morality- made of value judgments 3 types of statements 1. Prescriptions/rules/commands i. Ex. Do not lie ii. Regulate people's behavior iii. 2 Types 1. Moral (most cases) 2. Technical 2. Descriptions i. Ex. The cat is on the mat ii. Describe a fact 3. Value Judgments i. 2 Types 1. Moral a. Evaluate against a standard b. Approval or disapproval c. Ex. Killing people is wrong Ex. John is a nice guy 2. Non-Moral a. Ex. The cook is good Ex. The food is great
Ethics and Religion
Monday, January 14, 2008 6:50 PM
Bible- composed of moral prescriptions and moral value judgments The 10 Commandments- list of prescriptions and value judgments to live by Genesis 22- Abram takes Isaac to be sacrificed Killing son contradicts morality (killing an innocent person is wrong) Really a test of faith relation between God and morality is not straightforward Adam & Eve: Tree of knowledge of good and evil eating fruit is wrong, scientific classification is ok God decides what is right and what is wrong, not man's business to know Bottom line: God tells you to do it, you do it 2 theories how man learns morality o First view- Divine Revelation God conveys the rules God is the sole (only) source of our knowledge of morality We cannot discover moral rules by ourselves God does not define the moral rules, just conveys them to us Ex. Blind man wants to know if socks match has to ask someone For all acts x, I know that x is either right or wrong if and only if God says that x is right or wrong.
o o
o
Second view- Divine Command Theory God creates the rules Euthyphro problem/dilemma (by Plato): Is lying forbidden by God because it's wrong or is lying wrong just because God forbids it. Divine Command Theory Rules are only valid by the command of God We rely on other people to explain things to us o Ex. Doctors, scientists, reliable sources of information The person must be 1. trustworthy and 2. an expert o 1. God exists (all-knowing being) 2. God speaks to us
o
3. God says, "x is wrong, y is right" 4. God says the truth always (he never lies) In order for us to believe these 4 points, we must have evidence You cannot give a proof for #4, so there is a problem of presupposing problem of circularity Conclusions: a) Our knowledge of all moral rules is derived only from God's revelation b) It is fully rational to trust the authority of God concerning the morality of any action Rene Descartes- 1600s philosopher Is it possible God could deceive us? (like the Matrix- external world exists?) God is all powerful so He doesn't need to lie
Ethical Relativism and Objectivism
Saturday, 02, February 2008 10:43 AM
What is the right thing to do? Thesis: Is murder wrong just because society (culture) forbids it? o Like the Divine Command Theory, but instead of God, it's society Ethical Relativism o What is morally right and wrong? o Whatever a culture thinks is right or wrong is really right or wrong for members of that culture o Dependency Thesis: Moral standards derive their validity from cultural/social acceptance
o
Ex. Irish regard abortion as wrong You are Irish Then you ought to regard abortion as wrong
o
Swedes think that abortion is alright You are Swedish You ought to approve of abortion
Objectivism The opposite of ethical relativism Personal moral values are independent of what society tells you to do Cultural Relativism o What is that people think about morality? o Different cultures adopt different moral standards o Different cultures think differently about what's right and what's wrong o Cultural uniformity Opposite of cultural Relativism People have the same opinions worldwide o Ex. What is the true religion (ethical) vs. What is that people think about religion (cultural) o Relativity of Standards- fundamental, ultimate principles o Relativity of Judgments- derivatives, applied principles How standards are applied/implemented Subjectivism and Conventionalism o Subjectivism- dependent on the individual
Morality is a personal choice Extreme of relativism o Conventionalism- dependent on a group Rational view of relativism Moral objectivism o Principles should be generally adhered to, but may be overridden Ex. Hiding Jews from Nazis o Good and evil is dependent on human existence Moral absolutism o Principles are not override able and should not be violated Moral realism o Good and evil are real properties which are independent of humans o Ex. Star Wars- the Dark Side of the force Relativist vs. Objectivist o Topic: Country music Relativist- it's ok to like or dislike country music Objectivist- country is always good music for everyone Cultural Relativism vs. Ethical Relativism o If CR is right, ER is wrong and EO is right o If ER is right, CR is wrong o If ER and CR are wrong, EO is right
Ethics and Egoism
Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:26 PM
Psychological Egoism vs. Ethical Egoism Psychological Egoism Describes behavior/ motivations people have Everyone is always motivated to act in his/her perceived self-interest People do in fact always pursue their own self-interest o Ethical Egoism What you should/ought to do Ultimate moral standard of behavior One ought to act to promote his/her self-interest exclusively People should consider their interest in the long run Help other people only if it helps yourself Ayn Rand Representative of ethical egoism Dobu/Dobuons Did not think it was good to help others Ruth Benedict Article o Acting in your self-interest 2 Types: Acting on any interest you happen to have Acting exclusively on behalf of one's own self-serving interest Satisfaction of any desire is in self-interest
o
Ex. Of Desires: getting money for your own good, sacrificing everything for others, eating to fill your belly