03 hmt423 lecture iii ammar latif

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Lecture III

Ethics as an Internal Paradigm.

Ammar Latifammar@iqraisb.edu.pk

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Lecture III ~ Paradigms.

* What is a paradigm?– Ideas?

* How do paradigms get started?* Identify a few recent paradigm changes.

– Ideas?* How do paradigms develop/change over time?

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Lecture III ~ * A paradigm can be described as a widespread mode of thought.

– One that is shared by many people.

– It serves as a pattern or a framework of thought.

* Why internal?– Because it is governed by self

reflection on personal ideas & observations.

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Lecture III ~ * Morals, ideas, beliefs, opinions of virtue, ideologies, creeds, value systems & faiths all have what in common?

– Ideas?

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Lecture III ~ * They are all internal aspects of ourselves.* Ethics then depends on these aspects for correct actions.* Ethics refers to principles that define behaviour as right, good and proper.* What are other internal aspects of ourselves?

– Ideas?

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Lecture III ~ Questions....

* Should I lie on my job application?* Should I ignore my bosses hypocrisies to keep my job?* Should I tell my friend that his friend is not such a good “friend”?* Should I give my cousin the job even though he isn't fully qualified?

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Lecture III ~ * The answers to these questions is determined by the particular beliefs & morals of a person.* These are internal factors to be thought about.* An internal ethics paradigm then is a system of values & beliefs that is shared by a number of people with a common outlook.

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Lecture III ~ Brain Food....

* Some things to think about when deciding your point of view.

– What is the present state?– What is the ideal state?– What is the minimally acceptable

state?

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Lecture III ~ title....

How do we get from the present to the minimally acceptable state?

How do we get from the minimally acceptable state to the ideal state?

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Lecture III ~ Developing a point of view.

* Here's a way of looking at things....

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Lecture III ~ * The previous diagram is a good framework for deciding moral disagreements.* Moral concerns are unavoidable in life.* Morality is a lot like nutrition. Its principal concern is health.

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Lecture III ~ * Morality is the first order set of beliefs and practices about how to live a good life.* Ethics is a a second order conscious reflection on the adequacy of our moral beliefs.* These concepts need time for internal reflection ie. A clear moral stance on things.

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Lecture III ~ * This stance develops over time & is not fixed.* The goal of this reflection is moral health.* We seek to determine what will nourish our moral life and what will poison it?

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Lecture III ~ * Thus ethics can be viewed as how we evaluate our own & other people's behaviour as well as how we search for meaning & value in our own lives.

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Lecture III ~ * So how does an ethics paradigm develop?* In order to know this we need to know some basic concepts.

– The basis of our moral decision?– Cultural influences?– Situational influences?– Personal contingencies?

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Lecture III ~ Basic Moral Orientations....* “Do what the Bible tells you”-

Divine Command Theories * “Follow your conscience”- The Ethics of Conscience * “Watch out for #1”- Ethical Egoism * “Do the right thing”- The Ethics of Duty * “Don't dis' me”- The Ethics of Respect * “...all Men are created ...with certain unalienable Rights”- The Ethics of Rights * “Make the world a better place”- Utilitarianism * “Daddy, that’s not fair”- The Ethics of Justice * “Be a good person”- Virtue Ethics

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Lecture III ~ Your initial Moral Orientation.How important are each of the

following in your life?

* Religious commands?* Conscience?* Selfishness?* Duty?* Respect?* Rights?* Consequences for everyone?* Justice?* Personal Virtue?

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Video Analysis & discussion. The Story of Bottled Water.