ETHICS

• Deontological ethics


  Kant's ideas on ethics based on reason, goodwill, and duty
• Kant's ideas


  • Humans can be ethical without relying on religion
  • Emphasis on reason, goodwill, and duty in ethical living
• Autonomous reason


  The foundation of ethics according to Kant
• Goodwill


  Doing what you know is right because it's achievable, not because you have to
• Goodwill in action


  • Helping a classmate with homework because you genuinely want to see them succeed, not because you expect something in return
• Duty


  What reason determines as our obligation, and it motivates our actions
• Duty in action


  • Standing up for someone being bullied because you believe it's wrong to see someone suffer unfairly
• Obligation and autonomy


  • Duty is something we choose to do because we know it's right, not because of outside pressure
  • Each person is responsible for their own actions and decisions
  • Our duty should be universalizable, meaning it's something everyone should do in similar situations
• Kant's ethics are independent of religion but open to hope
• Kant's ethics provide a rational basis for moral behavior without relying on faith
• Utilitarianism


  A theory that addresses how to judge the morality of actions based on their consequences
• John Stuart Mill's utilitarianism


  • Focuses on promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number
  • Happiness is defined as pleasure and the absence of pain
  • The Greatest Happiness Principle is the ultimate measure of morality
• Quality vs. quantity of pleasures

  • Mill distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures
  • Some pleasures, like those of the intellect, are considered higher
  • Utilitarianism considers both the quantity and quality of happiness
• Higher pleasures


  • Studying for three hours a day can lead to long-term benefits
  • Playing online games provides immediate gratification but may lack lasting fulfillment
• Some argue that happiness is unattainable, but Mill sees it as achievable through a balance of pleasures
• Utilitarianism is accused of ignoring self-sacrifice, but Mill believes it's acceptable when it benefits the majority
• Critics question whether people always act with society in mind, but Mill focuses on the consequences of actions
• The ultimate sanction


  • Mill discusses external and internal sanctions for moral conduct
  • Fear of displeasing God or society may influence behavior, but conscience is the ultimate guide
  • A clear conscience comes from considering the welfare of others in decision-making
• Utilitarianism aims to promote happiness for the greatest number
• Mill emphasizes considering both the quantity and quality of happiness
• Moral actions contribute to the well-being of the community, guided by conscience
• Kant's ethics


  Humans can be ethical without relying on religion
• Kant's ethics


  • Emphasize the importance of reason, goodwill, and duty in ethical living
• Autonomous reason


  The foundation of ethics
• Goodwill


  Doing what you know is right because it's achievable, doing good things because you want to, not because you have to
• Goodwill in action


  • Offering to help your classmate with their homework because you genuinely want to see them succeed, not because you expect something in return
• Duty


  What reason determines as our obligation, and it motivates our actions, what we should do because our reason tells us it's right
• Duty in action


  • Standing up for someone being bullied at school because you believe it's wrong to see someone suffer unfairly
• Obligation and autonomy


  Duty is something we choose to do because we know it's right, not because of outside pressure, each person is responsible for their own actions and decisions, our duty should be universalizable
• Kantian ethics and religion

  Kant's ethics are independent of religion but open to hope, happiness isn't the goal of ethics for Kant, but it's related to living justly, religion complements ethics by offering hope for happiness beyond our efforts
• Kant's ethics provide a rational basis for moral behavior without relying on faith
• Kant's ideas focus on duty, reason, and autonomy, which are important for ethical decision-making
• Human decisions have consequences that affect others
• Decisions create new ideas, objects, and relationships
• Morality


  Judged based on motives and consequences
• Utilitarianism


  Addresses how to judge the morality of actions
• Mill's utilitarianism


  Focuses on promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number, happiness is defined as pleasure and the absence of pain, the Greatest Happiness Principle is the ultimate measure of morality
• Quality vs. quantity of pleasures


  Mill distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures, some pleasures, like those of the intellect, are considered higher, utilitarianism considers both the quantity and quality of happiness
• Higher pleasures


  • Studying for three hours a day can lead to long-term benefits, playing online games provides immediate gratification but may lack lasting fulfillment
• Some argue that happiness is unattainable, but Mill sees it as achievable through a balance of pleasures