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EthicsMoralityMorality in general is concerned with what is “right” and what is “wrong”. How can we know what is “right” and what is “wrong”.

Ethics is the study of morality.

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1. Facts and values

Relation between facts and values.Moral and aesthetic values.Instrumental and terminal values.

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We can judge actions by intentions and consequences.

Acts of commission and acts of omission: “Turning off a respirator is like turning on the

gas chamber.”

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2. Freedom

“Freedom is a precondition for a moral assessment of agent.”

B.F. Skinner “Beyond freedom and dignity”. Values of an individual are a product of the evironment he was brought up in.

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3. Reason and experience

We expect a degree of consistency in the making of moral judgements.

Can we reason from an “is” to an “ought”?Head versus heart!Importance of experience and empathy.

4. Moral problems insoluble and inescapable

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Case studies

Discuss these subjects from (all) possible moral

points of view.

Write down your reflexions for further analyses

later on.

Abortion and genetic engineering.

Animal rights.

Drugs and smoking.

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Where do our values come from?

We may have many sources of our moral values! The word of a divine Creator, a moral law

independant of human beings An innate conscience The teachings of our societies Enlightened self-interest

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Moral theories

UtilitarianismDutyVirtueReligious

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Guidance by consequences

Utilitarianism - John Stuart Mill. Goal to minimize harm and maximize benefit to one

self and others

Principle of utility Greatest happiness for the greatest number

Difficulties in practise The uncertainty of predicting concequences and

difficulties of weighting them. To define key concepts as “justice”.

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Guidance by principles / duty

Deontological theories - Immanuel Kant. Principles of justice. Duty to do no harm. Duty to help.

Difficulties in practise How to rank duties when they contradict.

To define key concepts as “justice”.

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Guidance by virtue

Teleological theories - Aristoteles. The ultimate goal for a living creature is

happiness. By living a virtuous life you will gain

happiness

What are” the virtues”?

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Guidance by Supreme Being

Obey God.Treat others as yourself.Respect God’s creatures.???

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Objective or subjective

Is there a possibility of moral universals? Moral relativism!

Should our respect for different cultural traditions overrule our respect for human rights?

Moral education! Can morality be taught? If the answer is “yes”, then how?

If our moral beliefs are the results of a cultural conditioning, why not say the same about our scientific belief?

Are intelligent people more moral than unintelligent people?

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Ethics connections to other fields

ScienceArtHistoryReligion

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Science

Can ethics be reduced to a science?To what extent do our belifs about human

nature affect our moral belifs? Consider, for example, Social-Darwinism.

The pursuit of science presupposes various intellectual virtues, such as tolerance and devotion to truth.

What is the moral responsibility of the scientist? Should we pursue the truth at any price?

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Art

Should art be morally uplifting, or does it have nothing to do with morality? Can we learn from it?

What is the difference between art and pornography?

Media violence and censorship!

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History

Has moral developed from a lower level to a higher level throughout history?

Does history have a direction or purpose?Does history contain a moral lesson?Should history as a subject be value-free?Can history be value-free?

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Evolution

Does evolution have: an aim? a purpose?

Is moral a part of the evolution? Has moral developed from a lower level to a

higher level throughout history?

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Religion

“If God is dead, then everything is permitted” (Dostoyevsky).