applied ethics
APPLIED ETHICS
A. What is applied ethics?
1. So far we have been focused either on normative ethics, which studies what features make something good/bad, an act right/wrong or a trait virtuous or vicious
- or metaethics, which studies philosophical questions about the meaning of ethical words, or the nature of ethical facts
2. Applied ethics is a distinct category of ethical philosophy
A. What is applied ethics?
3. Deals with difficult moral questions and controversial moral issues that people actually face in their lives
Examples: the moral issues regarding… abortion euthanasia giving to the poor sex before marriage the death penalty gay/lesbian marriage (or other rights) war tactics censorship so-called “white lies” etc. 1
A. What is applied ethics?
4. Given the time we have left in the semester, we’re going to focus on only two example issues:
• Whether or not we are morally obligated to help the less fortunate (especially those in other nations)
• Whether or not abortion is morally wrong
5. Why we haven’t spent more time on this:
• Often results in gridlocked or endless discussions
• Having some prior knowledge of some normative theories helps give a framework for discussion
• Brings in issues that are not philosophical
E.g., a discussion about whether or not the death penalty is morally OK may require sociological information about its effectiveness, etc.
B. Suggestions for having good discussions
1. Abortion is a very emotional and charged issue
- Students are bound to have strong, conflicting opinions.
- Many students may have been personally affected.
2. To avoid a shouting match, it’s best to try to respect everyone’s opinion.
3. Focus on the arguments and not the people giving them:
(a) Even if you are pro-life, you may agree that a certain argument against abortion is not sound.
(b) May agree with those on the other side about what the most compelling objections to an argument may be.
2
C. Helping the poor: the Issue
1. Some statistics about
A. What is applied ethics?
1. So far we have been focused either on normative ethics, which studies what features make something good/bad, an act right/wrong or a trait virtuous or vicious
- or metaethics, which studies philosophical questions about the meaning of ethical words, or the nature of ethical facts
2. Applied ethics is a distinct category of ethical philosophy
A. What is applied ethics?
3. Deals with difficult moral questions and controversial moral issues that people actually face in their lives
Examples: the moral issues regarding… abortion euthanasia giving to the poor sex before marriage the death penalty gay/lesbian marriage (or other rights) war tactics censorship so-called “white lies” etc. 1
A. What is applied ethics?
4. Given the time we have left in the semester, we’re going to focus on only two example issues:
• Whether or not we are morally obligated to help the less fortunate (especially those in other nations)
• Whether or not abortion is morally wrong
5. Why we haven’t spent more time on this:
• Often results in gridlocked or endless discussions
• Having some prior knowledge of some normative theories helps give a framework for discussion
• Brings in issues that are not philosophical
E.g., a discussion about whether or not the death penalty is morally OK may require sociological information about its effectiveness, etc.
B. Suggestions for having good discussions
1. Abortion is a very emotional and charged issue
- Students are bound to have strong, conflicting opinions.
- Many students may have been personally affected.
2. To avoid a shouting match, it’s best to try to respect everyone’s opinion.
3. Focus on the arguments and not the people giving them:
(a) Even if you are pro-life, you may agree that a certain argument against abortion is not sound.
(b) May agree with those on the other side about what the most compelling objections to an argument may be.
2
C. Helping the poor: the Issue
1. Some statistics about