Download WHAT IN THE WORLD IS ETHICS?

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS
ETHICS?
N. Yasemin YALIM, MD. PhD
Professor of Bioethics
Ankara University School of Medicine
PHILOSOPHY …
is love of wisdom and the search after
knowledge, especially of the cause of
natural phenomena, the facts or the truth
of the universe, and the meaning of
existence.
It is the reflection of the human curiosity
and desire for knowledge.
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
AREAS OF STUDY IN PHILOSOPHY
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
Ontology; refers to the subject of existence.
It consists of descriptions of the concepts
and relationships that can exist for an agent
or a community of agents.

Epistemology; is the theory of knowledge –
its definitions, varieties, sources, and limits.

Aesthetics; is the theory of beauty.

Ethics; is the study of moral values.
N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MAIN ETHICAL QUESTIONS
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
What is “good” and “bad”? How come they
are possible?

What is “right” and “wrong”? How come
they are possible?

Is there a universal and/or absolute “good”
or “bad”?

How can the human mind distinguish
“right” from “wrong”?
N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
VALUE and VALUES

Value; is a criterion or a quality – both
desired and awarded.
It is the special place of an entity
amongst other entities of the same kind.

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Human Values; are human facts realized
by the work or lives of the mankind. They
are the potentials of human ontology
manifested by individuals.
N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
VALUES
Economical
Values
Aesthetical
Values
Moral (Ethical)
Values
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MORAL VALUES
Personal
Values
Professional
Values
Cultural
Values
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MORAL VALUES
do not have concrete effects, like obtaining
a practical result or hindering a necessity.
Their effect depends on abstract factors, like
emotional investments,
beliefs and
priorities.
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MORALITY
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
Morals is the way that a person sets about
achieving the values which (s)he seeks to
express in a certain situation.

Ethics means the theory of right and wrong
conduct; morality, its practice.
N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MORAL DILEMMAS
A

Valid evidence indicates that
A is right.
DO

Valid evidence indicates that
A is wrong.
DON’T DO

Valid evidence indicates that
A is right.
DO
A

Valid evidence indicates that
B is right.
DO
B
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
A
BUT
SYSTEMATICAL ETHICAL REFLECTION

Ethical Consciousness: To perceive the
ethical issue

Ethical Sensitivity: To decide to reflect on
the issue

Define the dilemma
Collect the data necessary for evaluation
List of possible actions
Evaluate possible actions
Decide what to do (Search for advice if
necessary)
Realize what you decide
Re-evaluate your decision






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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MAIN TARGET
is to conduct an action which protects
more of the values
and
sacrifices the least of the values
Ioanna Kucuradi
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
(Kohlbergian Theory)

Pre-conventional Level

Conventional Level

Post-Conventional Level
(Moral Maturity)
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N. Yasemin YALIM
5/22/2017