This document provides an introduction to ethics and morality. It begins by defining morality and ethics, noting that morality deals with determining right and wrong while ethics is the process of reasoning about right and wrong. It then outlines four major categories in ethics: descriptive ethics, normative ethics, metaethics, and aretaic ethics. The document also discusses ethical systems like deontology, teleology, and relativism. It considers the relationship between morality and law. Throughout, it uses examples and key terms to introduce readers to the study of ethics.

1. Scott Rae
Moral
Choices
Chapter 1
Introduction: why study
ethics?
Friday 11 May 2012

2. Why be moral?
Websters dictionary has a
number of definitions for moral
including:
- of or relating to principles of right
and wrong in behavior
- conforming to a standard of right
behavior
This is an important question for
a course on ethics - is being
moral important to you, why (or
why not)?
Most people think doing well in
life is associated with being
“good”
Friday 11 May 2012

3. For example: do you think a person
who gains money dishonestly is a
success?
Is a politician who beats his wife
and children a success?
Is Mother Theresa a success - she
had very few of the things society
commonly associates with doing
well.
Most people like fairness, justice,
truthfulness, compassion in society.
Ethics help give direction to
societies and people who think
they cannot flourish without some
form of morality.
Friday 11 May 2012

4. Morality is said to be breaking
down in society today - juvenile
crime, drug abuse, alcoholism,
teenage pregnancies, crime rates -
all seem to indicate the moral
fabric of society is breaking down.
Moral questions are at the heart of
life’s vital issues - including those
affected by the actions above.
“Morality is primarily
concerned with the questions
of right and wrong, the
ability to distinguish between
the two, and the justification
of the distinction.”
Friday 11 May 2012

5. Morality is said to be breaking
Out of this we ask questions like:
down in society today - juvenile
What is a good person?
crime, drug abuse, alcoholism,
What things are morally
teenage pregnancies, crime rates -
praiseworthy?
all seem to indicate the moral
What is a good life?
fabric of society is breaking down.
What would a good society look
Moral questions are at the heart of
like?
life’s vital issues - including those
These questions are fundamental
affected by the actions above.
to your worldview - to what you
“Morality is primarily
think the world should look like.
concerned with the questions
Political science, medical science,
of right and wrong, the
business practices, economics etc,
ability to distinguish between
(and of course religion), have a
the two, and the justification
great affect on such thinking.
of the distinction.”
Friday 11 May 2012

6. Every day you face moral choices -
many decisions involve “right and
wrong” - ethics provides a basis
for making such decisions, in fact
the basis for the way you make
these decisions is vital for your
life, why you think something is
right or wrong is important.
Ethics involves many issues -
abortion, euthanasia, war, same sex
marriage - these will be spoken of
for years, as the fundamental issue
is the ground for moral authority
to make decisions about them.
Friday 11 May 2012

7. Every day you face moral choices -
many decisions involve “right and
Where does moral
wrong” - ethics provides a basis
authority come from?
for making such decisions, in fact
the basis different sources
What for the way you make
these you think of? your
can decisions is vital for
life, why you think something is
right or wrong is important.
Ethics involves many issues -
abortion, euthanasia, war, same sex
marriage - these will be spoken of
for years, as the fundamental issue
is the ground for moral authority
to make decisions about them.
Friday 11 May 2012

8. Every day you face moral choices -
many decisions involve “right and
Where does moral
wrong” - ethics provides a basis
authority come from?
for making such decisions, in fact
the basis different sources
What for the way you make
these you think of? your
can decisions is vital for
life, why you think something is
- it is a wrong is important.the
right or
construction of
human heartmany issues -
Ethics involves
abortion, euthanasia, war, same sex
marriage - these will be spoken of
for years, as the fundamental issue
is the ground for moral authority
to make decisions about them.
Friday 11 May 2012

9. Every day you face moral choices -
many decisions involve “right and
Where does moral
wrong” - ethics provides a basis
authority come from?
for making such decisions, in fact
the basis different sources
What for the way you make
these you think of? your
can decisions is vital for
life, why you think something is
- it is a wrong is important.the
right or
construction of
human heartmany issues -
Ethics involves
- from aeuthanasia, war, same sex
abortion, transcendent
marriage somethingbe spoken of
source, - these will that we
for years, as God.
might call the fundamental issue
is the ground for moral authority
to make decisions about them.
Friday 11 May 2012

10. Every day you face moral choices -
many decisions involve “right and
Where does moral
wrong” - ethics provides a basis
authority come from?
for making such decisions, in fact
the basis different sources
What for the way you make
these you think of? your
can decisions is vital for
life, why you think something is
- it is a wrong is important.the
right or
construction of
human heartmany issues -
Ethics involves
- from aeuthanasia, war, same sex
abortion, transcendent
marriage somethingbe spoken of
source, - these will that we
for years, as God.
might call the fundamental issue
is the ground for moral authority
to make decisions about them.
Friday 11 May 2012

11. The debate over these issues rages
on and seems no closer to being
resolved than 10 years ago. Now
we increasingly add technology to
the debate - the use of genetic
testing for diseases, of stem cells
for treatments. The need for moral
parameters for their use is
obvious, but making such decisions
is hard as the issues are very
complex.
Values are taught and character
emphasised more in some areas of
society like education and
business.
Friday 11 May 2012

12. There is debate these issues there
The debate overover whetherrages is
genuine moral knowledge.
on and seems no closer to being
Philosophical 10 years ago. Now
resolved than questioning has moved
towards naturalism which includes
we increasingly add technology to
the debate - the use of genetic sensed
idea that only what can be
testing what cannot be stem cells not
is real, for diseases, of sensed is
for treatments. The need forreal
verifiable and therefore not moral
parameters Thistheir use is
knowledge. for then excludes
obvious, but making such decisions
religious beliefs - theists, argue that
is hardknowledge is real very that the
moral as the issues are and
complex. murder is wrong is not
idea that
Values are opinionand character argue
subjective taught but true, they
emphasised more in some areas of
that no one always lives as if morality
society like education and
is entirely subjective and that moral
business. and can be known.
truths exist
Friday 11 May 2012

13. Introducing key terms and
distinctions in ethics
“Morality refers to the actual
content of right and wrong, and
ethics refers to the process of
determining right and wrong -
morality deals with knowledge and
ethics deals with reasoning.
Ethics is therefore an art and a
science - it involves some precision
like sciences, but also it can be an
inexact and intuitive discipline.
Morality is the end of ethical
deliberation - the determining of
right and wrong.”
Friday 11 May 2012

14. Major categories
Traditionally ethics has had four
broad categories:
1. Descriptive ethics
A sociological discipline describing
the morals of a society, often by
studying other cultures. Often used
by anthropologists in their field
work describing the moral
distinctives of other cultures.
Friday 11 May 2012

15. 2. Normative ethics
Refers to the discipline that
produces moral norms or rules
as its end product. So normative
ethics is prescriptive whilst
descriptive ethics simply
describes moral behaviour. This
is an area of great debate and
one that we shall look at in the
specific issues addressed later in
this course.
Friday 11 May 2012

16. 3. Metaethics
Is the area that investigates the
meaning of moral language, or the
epistemology of ethics, and also
considers the justification of
ethical theories and judgements.
So it looks at terms used like
right, good, and just. This has
become more important as people
are now claiming terminology like
right and wrong are merely an
expression of personal preference.
E.g. Saying homosexuality is wrong
is an expression of preference not
of it being right or wrong.
Friday 11 May 2012

17. 4. Aretaic ethics
Focusses on the virtues produced
in individuals not on the morality
of specific acts.it is also called
virtue theory and is growing in
popularity today. In seeing that
there is more to a moral life than
simply making the right decisions,
many people believe that matters
of virtue and character are of
equal, if not greater, importance
than the way we resolve moral
dilemmas.
Friday 11 May 2012

18. Rae suggests four guidelines for
making moral decisions:
1. Consider the action itself -
evaluate it before you judge it
2. Evaluate the motive for the
action - two identical actions can
be taken for very differing reasons
- what is the difference between a
gift and a bribe?
Friday 11 May 2012

19. 3. Evaluate the consequences of
your decisions and actions - an action
can be inherently wrong regardless of
the consequences - you might benefit
economically from slavery but that
can never make it right
4. Harder to do, is to evaluate the
character of the moral actor
(person doing the thing) - Rae defines
character as “the tendency of a person
to act in predictable ways over time”
This removes ethics from being solely
about actions - in fact we often judge
character, e.g. who we trust
Friday 11 May 2012

20. Ethical systems
Are classified as action-oriented
or virtue-based. There are then 3
categories within each classification:
1. Deontological - based on
principles in which actions (or
character or intentions) are
inherently right or wrong. Within
this there are 3 deontological
systems;
a. Divine command theory
b. Natural law
c. Ethical rationalism
Friday 11 May 2012

21. Ethical systems
Christians naturally tend to be more
deontological as they look to the
absolutes of the commands of God
for moral absolutes and guiding
principles. However there is also
strong weight given to virtue based
ethics as we value character, like the
fruit of the Spirit
Friday 11 May 2012

22. 2. Teleological systems - based on
the end result produced by an
action. The consequences are
important here, not what is
inherently right or wrong within an
action. If the consequences are more
beneficial than harmful, then it is ok
to take the action, ie. it is moral, if
not it is immoral. The primary form
of this is utilitarianism - the
action that produces the greatest
good for the greatest number of
people is the moral choice. (Good is
considered to be greatest pleasure
or preference satisfaction.)
Friday 11 May 2012

23. A development of
this is ethical
egoism which says
the right thing to
do is that which is
in the person’s
self interest - the
only consequence
is what is in the
persons self
interest
Friday 11 May 2012

24. 3. Relativism - right and wrong
are not absolute and unchanging
but relative to your own culture
(cultural relativism) and
personal preferences (moral
subjectivism). Both forms are
common today. Multiculturalism
accepts all cultures as equally valid
whilst moral subjectivism says “that
might be right for you, but
something else is right for me”.
This is often associated with
postmodernism where objective
truth and objective morality are
called into question.
Friday 11 May 2012

25. 3. Relativism - right and wrong
are not absolute and unchanging
but relative to your own culture
(cultural relativism) and
personal preferences (moral
subjectivism). Both forms are
common today. Multiculturalism
accepts all cultures as equally valid
whilst moral subjectivism says “that
might be right for you, but
something else is right for me”.
This is often associated with
postmodernism where objective
truth and objective morality are
called into question.
Friday 11 May 2012

26. Relativism: The theory that
Philosopher Peter Kreeft said
denies that humans can possess any
that"No culture in history has
objective, universally meaningful
ever embraced moral relativism
knowledge, that there are any
and survived."
ultimate and unchanging
What's the problem (God, persons,
metaphysical realities with moral
space, time, Greg Koukl gives 7
relativism? natural laws) or that
there are You Can't Do asHence
Things any moral absolutes. a
meaning and truth are relative to
Moral Relativist:
each culture and historical period or
Relativists Can’t situation, relationship
to each person, Accuse Others of
and outcome.
Wrong-Doing
1. Stanley J. Grenz, David Guretzki &
Relativists Can’t Complain About the
Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary
Problem of Evil
of Theological Terms
Friday 11 May 2012

27. Philosopher Peter Kreeft said
that"No culture in history has
ever embraced moral relativism
and survived."
What's the problem with moral
relativism? Greg Koukl gives 7
Things You Can't Do as a
Moral Relativist:
Relativists Can’t Accuse Others of
Wrong-Doing
Relativists Can’t Complain About the
Problem of Evil
Friday 11 May 2012

28. Relativists Can’t Place Blame or
Accept Praise
Relativists Can’t Claim Anything Is
Unfair or Unjust
Relativists Can’t Improve Their
Morality
Relativists Can’t Hold Meaningful
Moral Discussions
Relativists Can’t Promote the
Obligation of Tolerance
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29. Friday 11 May 2012

30. Morality and the law
There is a great area of overlapping between what is
legal and what is moral. Laws about driving on one side
of the road have an element of respect for people and
property. Most people think valid laws hold to some
common element of shared moral principles.
Friday 11 May 2012

31. Rae assumes that the law is the
moral minimum - it is the
beginning of moral obligations, not
the end. Not all that is legal is
morally right - adultery might not
end you in jail but cheating on
your spouse would not be morally
acceptable for believers. In some
instances people might be required
to act in line with the law but
against their conscience - eg a
nurse required to assist in an
abortion. Christians often then
claim they must obey God not
men - Acts 5:29
Friday 11 May 2012

32. So if the law is the floor not the
ceiling - how far above the law
should we go in fulfilling Christian
morality? Where the law is not
definitive or is silent there is
potential for unethical activity.
Moral beliefs and motives
cannot be legislated - but moral
actions or behaviour can be, in
fact most laws are in some way an
imposition of someones morality.
Many areas of concern for
Christians are a question of
whether we can legislate our
moral position...
Friday 11 May 2012

33. So if the law is the floor not the
Abortion far above the law
ceiling - how
Assisted go in fulfilling Christian
suicide
should we
CloningWhere the law is not
morality?
Same sex marriage etc.
definitive or is silent there is
Remember a unethicalof interest
potential for number activity.
groupsbeliefs and motives
Moral campaign about such issues
- not only Christians. but moral
cannot be legislated -
(FYI: In the USA the first amendment
actions or behaviour can be, in
protects the separation of church and
fact most laws are in some way an
state primarily on the basis of
imposition of someones morality.
protecting the right to exercise
Many areas of concern for
religious freedom and free speech, so
Christians are a question of
that the state did not impose beliefs
whether we can legislate our
on its citizens.)
moral position...
Friday 11 May 2012

34. Review questions
1. How are ethics important in
business, politics and medicine?
2. How would you distinguish
between ethics and morality?
3. What are descriptive, normative,
metaethics and aretaic ethics?
4. When a moral assessment is
made what should be considered?
5. How would you describe the
relationship of morality and the law?
Friday 11 May 2012

35. Review questions
1. How are ethics important in
business, politics and medicine?
2. How would you distinguish
between ethics and morality?
3. What are descriptive, normative,
metaethics and aretaic ethics?
4. When a moral assessment is
made what should be considered?
5. How would you describe the
relationship of morality and the law?
Friday 11 May 2012