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Ethics and Morality
Ethics is about what we should – and should not - do. It includes identification of basic principles, e.g. the prerogatives of property owners; and the application of those principles to actual situations, e.g. copyright protection of intellectual property over the Internet.
2,801 Questions
W.D. Ross was a moral realist who argued for moral truth and stated that it is a naturalistic fallacy to define an ethical statement solely in terms of statements about the natural world. He believed that maximizing the good was just one of many prima facie obligations that have a role in everything a person might do.
Kinds of acts which are elicited acts?
kinds of elicited acts
1. wish
2.intention
3.consent
4.election
5.use
6.fruition
Why do we humans commit mistakes even after knowing that it is a mistake?
Because of lenient view towards considerations.Emotions interfere with knowledge so to make mistakes,
What are some examples of bad moral values?
The answer will vary by person and with context, but some currently generally accepted examples would be racism, greed, sadism, etc. Most of which would fit under the 'causes (unacceptable or unreasonable) harm to another' as determined by the majority of the society in question (context).
Also 'bad' is relative to the majority of the society in question here, as a person would not adhere to a moral value he/she does not consider good or acceptable him/herselve. In case they would recognize their moral value to be 'bad' it by definition ceases to be a moral value ('moral' being defined as being 'good' or 'desireable'), even if they continue the resulting behaviour for whatever reason (for instance because of social or peer pressure or the adherance to a different, more important, value).
So technically the answer should be: the question is unanswerable and meaningless when posed without context and reference frame as morals are always changing.
Why does euthanasia cause so much debate?
Because people think that killing is wrong for any reason.
Added: It can be assumed that the questioner is referring to Euthenasia as applied to human beings. If so, SOME people are against it on religious grounds and others are philosophically opposed and are wary of the "slippery slope" argument.
What are the three determinants of morality by St. Thomas Aquinas?
DETERMINANTS OF MORALITY/SOURCES OF MORALITY
Morality - consists in the conformity and non-conformity of an act with the norm
HOW DOES AN ACT RELATE TO THE NORM?
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT A GIVEN ACT IS MORALLY OBJECTIONABLE OR NOT?
Human Acts relate to the norm under the following aspects:
a) In Itself = as a deed
b) In its Motive
c) In its circumstances
The 2 principal elements of the act, the object and the intention of the agent must be ordained to the last end. The circumstances though accidental to the action, must also be ordained to the last end, since they could also be important.
These 3 aspects are called Determinants of Morality
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- determine how an act is rendered good or bad on the basis of its relation with the norm
- the ordination of human acts to God depends on them, in accordance with the condition of created beings
- If these 3 principles or aspects are good, the action is good, because it leads to God and makes the agent better.
Ø "BONUM EX INTEGRA CAUSA, MALUM EX QUOCUMQUE DEFECTU"
- It means that, a thing is good if it has the fullness of its parts and it is bad when it is deficient in any of its integral parts
- In moral parlance: human act is good when it is good in itself, in its motive, or purpose and circumstances. Defect coming from any of those aspects renders an act morally objectionable. In other words, like human anatomy, an act must have the perfection of its parts
- Thus, a thing to be good must be entirely good, vitiated by any defect
I. ACT IN ITSELF/OBJECT
- To consider an act in itself is to regard its nature
- ACT = not simply a mental or bodily activity requiring an expenditure of energy
= it is physical tendency towards a definite result
- we are dealing here with the human act performed, the deed done
- RESULT=a) end of the act (finis operis)
b) end of the agent (finis operantis) = motive of the doer
- In physical sense = some actions are bad because they produce such evils as pain, hunger, illness or death
- In moral sense = actions are bad because they disturb the harmony within the acting person
` = they are unfit to the natural and spiritual tendencies of the human soul
= Moral evils also produce physical harm and damage of oneself and others = they are moral evils because what they destroy is the innate goodness, the Image of God in our human nature
= Thus, moral evils are those that go against the natural law
Ø INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC EVIL
INTRINSIC - implies a quality inherent in a thing
- Thus, an intrinsic evil act is an act which is evil in itself
EXTRINSIC - implies a quality which is superficially added to a thing
(Example, a coat of paint covering surface of the wall without modifying the essentiality of the wood constituting the wall)
- extrinsic evil - an act which in itself is not evil but is made evil nonetheless on account of something else
- extrinsic evil act - that which, although good or indifferent in itself, is however prohibited by the law
INTRINSIC EVIL ACT = certain actions are in themselves objectively good and certain others are objectively evil. Men have always regarded certain acts as good in themselves because as a matter of fact, they are good
= by its nature, that is, by its functional purpose is wrongful
= natural law = tendency of man to actualize his potentials as a rational creature, that is, to be a person
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- an act which prevents man from realizing his true worth as a person is intrinsically evil
- ex. Murder, robbery, rape, adultery, lies, slavery = they contradict the demands of reason for justice, truth an decency
= these actions are evil, not only because they cause unjust harm and suffering to others but above all, they dehumanize their perpetrators, reducing them to the level of beasts/ animals/irrational
Ø TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSON WE OUGHT TO BE ON THE BASIS OF OUR NATURAL AND RATIONAL TENDENCIES = we can identify with relative accuracy those actions that are to be avoided as intrinsically harmful
- The Decalogue of Moses and many human laws - identify some actions like blasphemy, stealing, untruthfulness, murder and adultery
Ø In the tradition and culture of all people - there are those actions which are regarded with horror and great repugnance = this means that it the consciousness of men certain actions are to be avoided as extremely dangerous poisons; actions that cause misery and physical afflictions to man
II. MOTIVE OF THE ACT/ INTENTION OF THE AGENT
- it is the purpose which the doer wishes to achieve by such action
- it gives direction and motivation to an act = without a motive, an act is meaningless, and accident
- it comes FIRST in the mind as intention and occurs LAST in the action as its culmination or fulfillment
WHAT IS A GOOD MOTIVE?
= one which is consistent with the dignity of the human person
= one which is in accordance with the truth, justice, prudence andtemperance
BAD MOTIVE = one which grows from selfishness - such motive provokes action detrimental to others
- Excessive indulgence of the self - a form of personal injustice to oneself, nursing the greed that destroys others
Action springing from the self seeking its goal = such desire must be moderated by prudence and fairness
Old Testament = a good man is called a just man
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- he acts rightly out of respect for himself
And out of his concern for others
Ø THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS
- to the doer = an act is a means of achieving an aim or purpose
Ex. we study = to acquire knowledge, to pass the course, to receive a degree, to qualify for a job
Wrong = to attempt at a good purpose by evil means
Examples:
- Student may not cheat in an exam in order to graduate
- Employee may not fake his documents in order to be promoted in job
- Public official may not accept bribe in order to finance a health center
The axiom "The End does not justify the Means"
- means that the worthiness of purpose does not make an evil act good
(nothing is more pernicious than for a hoodlum to believe that he is justified in robbing the rich because he wants to share the loot with the poor = Robin Hood)
Ø INSIGHTS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE MOTIVE ON THE ACTION
(Paul Glenn)
a) An evil act which is done on account of an evil motive is grievously wrong (an objectively evil act performed for an evil purpose takes on a new malice from the evil end. If it has several evil ends, it takes on new malice from each)
b) A good action done on account of an evil motive becomes evil itself (An act which is objectively good but done for an evil end is entirely evil. If the evil end is the whole motive of the act, an act is gravely evil if the evil end is gravely evil, and an act is only partially evil if the evil is neither gravely evil nor the whole motive of the act)
c) A good action done on account of a good purpose acquires an additional merit (an objectively good act performed for a good purpose takes on a new goodness from the good end if it has several good ends)
d) An indifferent act may either become good or bad depending on the motive
e) An objectively evil act can never become good by reason of a good end
III. CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACT
An ACT = an event = it happens in a definite time and place
= accompanied by certain elements which contribute to the nature and accountability of such act
In Law = we speak of mitigating or aggravating factors affecting a criminal act
Morality = takes into account the circumstancessurrounding an act
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- who
- what
- where
- with whom
- why
- how
- where
v WHO
- refers primarily to the doer of the act = who is the agent?
- at times, it also refers to the receiver of the act = to whom is the action done?
- this circumstance includes the age, status, relation, family background, educational attainment, health and socio-economic situation of the person or persons involved in an act
Observations:
a) The moron, the insane, the senile, and the children below the age of reason are considered incapable of voluntary acts and therefore are exempted from moral accountability.
- But actions against these persons are normally regarded most cruel due to their helplessness in defending themselves
b) Persons with higher educational attainment are presumed to know "better" than those with little education. Accordingly, their liability is higher. Indeed, "to whom much is given, much is expected."
c) Persons vested with authority have higher accountability than those who merely follow their order or command. This is the meaning of "command responsibility"which makes a superior or official accountable for the actuation of those under their authority.
d) The relationship between people involved in actmay modify the nature of such act.
- In this sense, adultery is different from fornication, and parricide from homicide
v WHAT
- refers to the act itself and to the quality and quantity of the results of such act.
- what is the extent of the act? Was the injury inflicted serious or slight? Was the amount stolen large or small?
v WHERE
- refers to the circumstance of place where the act is committed
- where was the act committed?
v WITH WHOM
- refers to the companion or accomplices in an act performed. This includes the number and statusof the persons involved. The more people involved in the commission of an act, the greater and more serious is the crime
v WHY
- refers to the motive or intention of the doer
v HOW
- refers to the manner how the act is made possible
- under what condition? Was the action performed by the agent done in good or bad faith?
- How an act is performed contributes to the malice of an act
v WHEN
- refers to the time of the act
- when was the act committed?
Ø Observations:
1) Circumstances may either increase or decrease the wrongfulness of an evil act
2) Circumstances also may either increase or decrease the merits of a good act
3) Some circumstances may alter the nature of an act
Ethical Principles:
1) An indifferent act becomes good or evil by reason by reason of its circumstance
2) A good act may become evil by reason of circumstance
3) A good or evil act may become better or worse by reason of the circumstance and may even take on new goodness or malice from its circumstance
4) An evil act can never be made good by circumstance
5) A circumstance which is gravely evil destroys the entire goodness of an objectively good act
6) A circumstance which is evil but not gravely so does not entirely destroys the goodness of an objectively good act.
CONCLUSION:
Distinction between good act and evil act = it is not an illusion of the mind
= There are good actions and there are evil actions and their realities do not come from out mind
= Evil is not man's invention = rather, it means that man uses his freedom to do wrong
- only man can do something morally wrong = because only man has the power to choose between what is good and what is wrong
Ø To be an authentic person is to be a responsible person. He knows how to use his freedom only as an instrument to do good
Why are there so many ethnic groups in the Caribbean?
There is a large amount of Asians in the Caribbean due to the large amount of opprounities(business wise) there were in the Carribbean back then. Since then, there are many in the carribean who have East Asian ancestry
and East Indian ancestry as a result.
What is the rule of professional ethics?
The rule of professional ethics refers to the standards and principles that guide the behavior and decision-making of professionals in their respective fields. These rules are designed to promote integrity, accountability, and respect for clients, colleagues, and the public. They often include commitments to confidentiality, honesty, and competence, and are enforced by professional organizations to ensure that members uphold the values of their profession. Adhering to these ethical standards is essential for maintaining trust and credibility in professional relationships.
A moral conflict in a book is when a character can't decide what is right to do in the situation.
There is no ethical right. The definition of ethics will change from person to person. With that being said, whatever youthink is right is ethically right.
Is it ethical to use hydropower faster than it can be replaced?
It would be, yes, because we need wind for many things, but there is no ethical problem, as it is physically impossible to do this.
It can be unethical to use anything faster than it can be replaced, depending on what it is. To do this with trees is unethical, but with coal it is not.
What is the different between ethics and etiquette in philosophy language?
Ethics is more concerned with honesty and professional standards . Etiquette is more concerned with niceties , and indeed , may even include some mild subterfuge to allow others to be comfortable in certain social situations, where brutal honesty may hurt or offend someone .
A:
Some would attribute morality to God, saying that without God there can be no morality. This very issue was examined by Plato in one of his Dialogues. Here, Euthyphro seeks to define goodness in terms of what the gods would want. At this point, Plato has Socrates raise the Euthyphro Dilemma: 'Do the gods choose what is good because it is good, or is the good good because the gods choose it?' If the first option is true, this shows that good is good independent of the gods (or in modern terms, God) - good is good and that is why a good god will always choose it. If the second option is true, this makes the very idea of what is good arbitrary. If something is good simply because the gods choose it, then what is to stop the gods choosing torture, thus making it good?
The problem with the second option in answer to the the Euthyphro Dilemma is that for God to choose torture, thus making it good, is absurd. But the reason it is absurd is that we believe torture is wrong and that is why God would never choose it. To recognise this is to recognise that we do not need God to determine right or wrong.
Euthyphro had tried to attribute morality to the gods, but Socrates showed him that no such attribution is possible. So it is if we attribute morality to God. Morality comes from within and is guided and informed by our consciences.
What the importance of ethical values?
ethical values important because generallyimproving of honest, panctualty
Because people in this modern age like to view things from multiple points of views, the common thing one would say about this question would be "what if that person or animal was you?" but this is only one of many different things one would likely say there may be other answers out there like it's bad karma.
In rare cases , it can still be found in it's purest form. Not by the rules of chivalry that considered women too soft-headed and weak to do anything for themselves , but in coutrly, generous manners of a true gentlerman.
What are the examples of ethical norm?
There are so many examples of norms like the role for asking one out for a date being left for men and not women. Norms are usual or typical habits or behaviors.
A set of one or more ethical guidelines, which are designed to be applied together to make an ethical decision e.g. the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Why the professional ethics important?
to have a sense of business values that ensure that we stick to our moral practices within our professions.
Describe how your responsibility affects your accountability?
Are you of sound mind? Are you an adult? Do you understand the difference between right and wrong? Yes, you are accountable for your actions...maybe not in a court of law (if your actions are not considered a crime) but as member of society and an honorable person.
Did Machiavelli write the ends justify the means?
Another important thing that goes hand and hand with the greater good is the saying that "The end justifies the means" in other words, "At the beginning of an action I might not be able to determine whether that action is morally right or wrong, but when the morally right goal is successfully achieved, then the steps which led to it must be morally right too." "I shall do a minor evil to achieve a greater good." Or "My aim for greater good makes all the evils I have done right."
How do you react to criticism?
The criticism is acceptable if it is objective and reflecting facts. However, if criticism is based on false ground then it should be responded by facts and realities. In both cases, one should not lose his/her control and not to be nervous or out of control.
What does the saying the means justify the end means?
It's saying that the way you do something justifies the outcome. The morality of an action lies in how it's done, or how it adheres to rules, rather than the consequence of the action. Look up Deontology if you want to know have a deeper level of understanding
