UNIT 1 – UNIT 1 – East of EdenEast of Eden

Right & WrongRight & Wrong

ESSENTIAL QUESTION ESSENTIAL QUESTION #4#4

How do we determine right How do we determine right from wrong?from wrong?

5 Contrasting Viewpoints5 Contrasting Viewpoints

Moral AbsolutismMoral Absolutism

Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism

Moral RelativismMoral Relativism

Moral SubjectivismMoral Subjectivism

Moral NihilismMoral Nihilism

Socratic SeminarSocratic Seminar

(See “Prep Work” handouts.)(See “Prep Work” handouts.)

Do “prep work” (separate sheet). Do “prep work” (separate sheet). Talk through each example, Talk through each example,

beginning with general reactions…beginning with general reactions… And then move on to what each And then move on to what each

philosophy would say.philosophy would say.

Moral AbsolutismMoral Absolutism

The belief that there are absolute The belief that there are absolute standards against which moral standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong. certain actions are right or wrong. Morals are inherent.Morals are inherent.

For example: Killing is always For example: Killing is always immoral—even in self-defense. In immoral—even in self-defense. In this case, it may be pardoned, but it this case, it may be pardoned, but it is still morally wrong. is still morally wrong.

Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism

There are moral principles that are There are moral principles that are moral or immoral independent of moral or immoral independent of what others may believe, think or what others may believe, think or feel.feel.

But, the principle must be specifically But, the principle must be specifically framed. framed.

Example: “It is wrong to kill innocent Example: “It is wrong to kill innocent people because you don’t like them.”people because you don’t like them.”

Moral RelativismMoral Relativism

Each society has its own moral code. Each society has its own moral code. There are no universal standards only There are no universal standards only local principles. There is no such thing local principles. There is no such thing as objective morality. as objective morality.

One cannot judge the morality of One cannot judge the morality of other cultures or states.other cultures or states.

Example: “If the society permits Example: “If the society permits killing the innocent, it is right for that killing the innocent, it is right for that society.”society.”

Moral SubjectivismMoral Subjectivism

What an individual believes is right What an individual believes is right or wrong is so for that individual. or wrong is so for that individual.

No one person’s opinion about No one person’s opinion about morality is more correct than morality is more correct than another.another.

Example: “The killing of the innocent Example: “The killing of the innocent may be right depending on the may be right depending on the individual situation.”individual situation.”

Moral NihilismMoral Nihilism

Nothing is right or wrong.Nothing is right or wrong. There are no standards of behavior.There are no standards of behavior. Example: “The killing of the innocent Example: “The killing of the innocent

is neither right or wrong.”is neither right or wrong.”

Apply the TheoriesApply the Theories

Read the quotation and do the Read the quotation and do the activity on the worksheet (“How do activity on the worksheet (“How do we determine right from wrong?”)we determine right from wrong?”)

Ted BundyTed Bundy

Ted BundyTed Bundy

Ted BundyTed Bundy

Moral RelativistMoral Relativist ““In any case, let me In any case, let me

assure you, my dear assure you, my dear young lady, that there young lady, that there is absolutely no is absolutely no comparison between comparison between the pleasure that I the pleasure that I might take in eating might take in eating ham and the pleasure ham and the pleasure I anticipate in raping I anticipate in raping and murdering you. “and murdering you. “

Serial Killer, NecrophiliacSerial Killer, Necrophiliac

REACTREACT

11

Adolf Hitler believed that it was his Adolf Hitler believed that it was his moral obligation to exterminate the moral obligation to exterminate the

Jews. He was following his own moral Jews. He was following his own moral code and thought he was right, so we code and thought he was right, so we

cannot call him wrong.cannot call him wrong.

2 2

It is wrong to kill innocent people It is wrong to kill innocent people because we don’t like them.because we don’t like them.

33

Stealing from others is always wrong.Stealing from others is always wrong.

44Morality is like table manners. Here it Morality is like table manners. Here it

is inappropriate to eat rice with your is inappropriate to eat rice with your hand; while in many parts of Asia, it hand; while in many parts of Asia, it is totally appropriate. Here, we do is totally appropriate. Here, we do

not encourage suicide bombings; but not encourage suicide bombings; but in other areas, it is very heroic. What in other areas, it is very heroic. What is right in one country may be wrong is right in one country may be wrong in another; no society’s view is more in another; no society’s view is more

correct than another.correct than another.

55

““The mere fact that a multitude of The mere fact that a multitude of people in a society hold a certain people in a society hold a certain

opinion, does not make that opinion opinion, does not make that opinion correct. What is morally right is not a correct. What is morally right is not a

function of the views of the function of the views of the majority.” (Socrates)majority.” (Socrates)

66

Abusing one’s wife is wrong.Abusing one’s wife is wrong.

77

Some things are just plain right and Some things are just plain right and wrong independent of what some wrong independent of what some

may think is right and wrong. may think is right and wrong.

Socratic Seminar Wrap-UpSocratic Seminar Wrap-Up

So, let’s revisit our big questions…So, let’s revisit our big questions… Are humans responsible for their Are humans responsible for their

actions?actions? What makes (or will make) humans What makes (or will make) humans

happy?happy? Do we need universal laws? Absolute Do we need universal laws? Absolute

laws? Societal laws? Personal laws?laws? Societal laws? Personal laws? What examples have you can you use What examples have you can you use

from from East of EdenEast of Eden??

HOMEWORK:HOMEWORK:

Continue tracking characters’ Continue tracking characters’ responsibility throughout the novelresponsibility throughout the novel