Download Morality and Ethics (cont. 2)

MORALITY AND ETHICS
(cont.)
Debate dates
Oct. 19th
 “Smoking should be banned in public places”
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Nov. 9th
“Great Apes should be granted human rights”
Nov. 16th
“It is wrong to eat meat”
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Videos should be like a short documentary on a topic related to the course
10-15 minutes for 2 people group
 15-20 minutes for 3 people group
 20-25 minutes for 4 people group
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Some video clips from other sources may be used, but the source must be
clearly indicated. No more than 30% from other sources
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You should give me your proposed topics next week
Comparison of ethical systems
Main idea
Virtue ethics: We should cultivate the virtues and act in accordance
with them. Virtues include wisdom, generosity, kindness, justice,
pride, courage, honesty
Deontological ethics: follow strict moral laws, e.g. do not murder,
do not lie, do not steal
Utilitarian ethics: Act to maximize total happiness (and lack of
suffering) among all people
Simplification of main idea (for discussion):
Virtue ethics: be good
Kantian ethics: do what’s right
Utilitarianian ethics: do what will have good consequences
Justification:
Virtue ethics: Man’s natural function (telos) as a rational animal
Kantian ethics: universalizability of moral laws
Utilitarianism: Pleasure is good, pain is bad
Principles:
Virtue ethics: be a good (well-balanced/rational) person
Kantian ethics: Always treat a person as an end, not just an
means
Utilitarianism: Promote the greatest good for the greatest
number
Ultimate goal:
Virtue ethics: eudemonia (the good life)
Kantian ethics: uphold the worth and dignity of every
person
Utilitarian ethics: maximize happiness
 Main practical problems:
 Virtue ethics: vague
 Kantian ethics: rigid
 Utilitarianism: may justify seemingly wrong actions
Thought experiments
Philosophers love thought experiments!
Test consistency of beliefs.
Ethical thought experiments
A way to compare different ethical systems.
Which ethical system is consistent with our pretheoretical beliefs?
e.g. Kid breaks a vase
Should he lie to his Mom?
What’s the harm?
 A terrorist has secretly planted a bomb on Mr. G, and
Mr. G. is now (innocently) walking into a crowded
theatre. The bomb will be detonated in 5 minutes, killing
hundreds.You are too far away to stop Mr. G, but you
can shoot him down, killing him and saving hundreds.
Should you?
Trolley case
A runaway train is about to hit 5 people on Track A.
Should you throw a switch to make the train go down
Track B, where one person is standing (and will be
hit).
A runaway train is about to hit 5 people standing on
the track. Should you push a fat man in front of the
train?
Transplant case
Kill one innocent bystander and
transplant his organs to five patients
to save their lives
Required readings
Traditional Ethical Theories (excerpt from Online Guide to Ethics and Moral
Philosophy at: caae.phil.cmu.edu/Cavalier/80130/part2/sect9.html),
available on Moodle
Stephen Law, The Philosophy Gym, Chapter 17, “Killing Mary to Save
Jodie”. available on Moodle
Suggested readings
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, at: http://plato.stanford.edu/
Entries on: Consequentialism and Deontological Ethics andVirtue Ethics
Mill, John Stuart, Utilitarianism (1863), available at:
www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm
Quiz next week
 You will be asked about a moral dilemma and expected to
discuss it in relation to one or more moral ethical systems.