Introduction to
Ethics
Quote
A perfect value consists in doing
without witness all that we could have
done in front of the entire world
- Nobel Laureate Gabriela Mistral
What do you
expect?
Ethical Dilemma
Course Requirement
Assessment Type
Percentage
10-15%
Assignments
10%
Midterms
30%
Project
5%
Final Exam
35-30%
Poster
10%
Total
100%
Aristotle:
Measure of Success
The measure of success is how much new we
learn and if we can notice any change in the
attitudes (sensitivity) to the problems of
professional ethics.
Definition
[ethos]
Greek word for custom or habit, the characteristic
conduct of an individual human life.
A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names
What Is Ethics?
Josephson Institute of Ethics
Ethics refers to standards of
conduct . . . that indicate how one
should behave based on . .
.principles of right and wrong. As
a practical matter, ethics is about
how we meet the challenge of
doing the right thing
Illustrative Prescribed
Ethical Principles
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship
Forms of ethics
Descriptive ethics (what morals people follow)
Metaethics (what is good? etc)
Normative ethics (what should we do?)
Applied ethics (how do we apply ethics to work and
lives?)
Moral psychology (the biological and psychological
bases)
Moral Theory
Moral Philosophy include the sub-disciplines:
1. Normative ethics
Which is the study of moral standards, general
principles, concepts, values, and theories.
2. Applied ethics
Which is the study of ethical dilemmas, choices,
and standards in various occupations, professions,
concrete (particular, not general) situations, and
the application of moral theories and concepts in
particular contexts. Such as medical ethics have
mentioned above.
3. Meta-ethics
Which studies the nature and justification of
moral standards, values, principles, and theories
and the meaning of moral concepts and terms.
Such as is morality objective? and why should
we obey moral obligations?
Different or similar
Ethics
What is it?
Source
Why we do it?
What if we dont do
it?
Flexibility
Morals
Character
of a man
Decided by
Conduct
of a person
Leads to
Series of
Actions
Taken
together
Considered As
By which
we can
Judge
again
Good or
Bad,
Right or
wrong,
Moral or
Immoral
Known as
Moral
Judgement
Moral
Standards
Requires
Regions of
Country
Family
Profession
The Individual
Friends
The Law
Conscience
Employer
Religious
Beliefs
Society at
Large
Practical Ethics
Engineering ethics
Ethics of science
Bioethics
Medical ethics
Environmental ethics
Public ethics
Media ethics
Political ethics
27
Objective
Note two things about these sentences:
Each of these sentences is either true or
false.
The truth or falsity of these sentences does
not depend at all on who makes the claim,
when the claim is made or where the claim
is made.
When a sentence has these properties, well
say that it makes an objective claim.
Im the
oldest
Im the
oldest
No! Capital
punishment is
always wrong.
Ethical Choices
What you find is that the tough ethical
choices are not between good and evil, but
rather between two goods:
Good manners
Verbal and written communications are often much less formal than in times
past, but be careful to choose your words wisely. Of course, derogatory, rude or
offensive language is unacceptable, but so is slang. While it may be commonplace
in our society, its never acceptable in a professional atmosphere.
Be on time.
Were all busy. Being punctual shows others that you value
their time. Being late doesnt mean that youre busier than other
people; it just means that youre inconsiderate.
Dont gossip.
Its so hard sometimes to resist engaging in a little
harmless gossip. Its natural to be curious and interested in
what other people are doing, but talking about someone who
is not present is disrespectful.
Dont eavesdrop.
Everyone is entitled to private conversations, in person or
over the phone. The same goes for e-mail; dont stand over
someones shoulder and read their e-mails.
Please
Thank you
CONCLUSION
48
49
50
3- TAKEN ANYTHING
VALUABLE FROM AN
EMPLOYER FOR PERSONAL
USE?
51
4- MISSTATED FACTS ON A
RESUME/JOB
APPLICATION?
52
53
6- BEEN UNDERCHARGED
OR RECEIVED TOO MUCH
CHANGE FROM A CASHIER
AND NOT TOLD THEM?
54
7- DOWNLOADED MUSIC
FROM AN INTERNET SITE
WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT?
55
57
1. 63% 2. 63%
4. 18% 5. 13%
7. 37% 8. 17%
10. 71% 11.
12. 32% 13.
3. 16%
6. 50%
9. 12%
71%
28%
62