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Class notes Ethics (ETH111)
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Topic 1Morality, Ethos and Ethics
- The word morality comes from the Latin word “mos”, which used to refer to customs.
- Morality is behavior according to customs; such behavior provides a sense of stability
and helps to sustain society. The word became broader; now it referred to behavior
according to certain rules, principles or code of conduct.
- Morality developed the connotation of differentiating between right and wrong or
between good and evil.
- The word ethics is derived from the Greek word “ethos”. “Ethos” used to refer to a
shelter or dwelling place for domestic animals.
- The word ethos also had the connotations of a daily routine. The word ethos usually
refers to the characteristic way in which a particular group of people live their convictions
of what is right and wrong.
- Ethos therefore describes a way of life.
- Ethics involves a reflection on ethos (morality).
- Ethos is how you live out your morality.
- Ethics is an academic discipline in which we reflect on ethos (morality).
Moral, Immoral and A-moral forms of behavior
- Distinction between moral and immoral is easy: this refers to conduct, persons which
are, from a moral point of view judged to either be acceptable or not acceptable,
appropriate or inappropriate, right or wrong, good or evil.
- Not always easy to judge whether an action is moral or not.Most people would agree
that it is morally wrong to kill someone, but many would condone killing someone in self-
defense, if the situation justified that.
- A-moral : it is important to note that not all actions are moral or immoral, many things we
do in life are morally neutral. For example, to prefer wearing black instead of blue is a
matter of personal taste, not a moral issue.
Descriptive, Prescriptive and Meta-ethics
- Prescriptive ethics : is a form of disciplined reflection that seeks to propose appropriate
forms of moral behavior. The aim of prescriptive ethics is indeed to prescribe. Moral
language is often prescriptive, religious instructions, parental guidance or household
rules.
- Descriptive ethics : seeks to describe moral language without making judgements. For
example, moral codes of prison inmates. Not to deliver moral judgement but to
understand the way in which such moral codes function in a particular context.
- Meta ethics : if we agree that ethics is a reflection on morality. Ethics is not by itself
moral or immoral. If ethics reflects on morality one may argue that meta ethics is a
reflection is a reflection on ethics itself.
, Topic 3
Characteristic features of a vision for the good society
The emergence of a new moral vision is driven by a moral vision (It expresses a vision for the common
good)
1. Prompted by unacceptable present
Such awareness occurs in times of suffering and need. Suffering is the mother of hope. Hope is
born from experiences of suffering and anticipates a new future. Hope lives in the tension from
the negative to the positive, from the sufferings towards the vision that is longed for.
2. Such a vision requires the ability to see beyond the here and now
Vision requires the ability to see, in this sense a vision has to be realist. People with vision do not
only see what lies on the surface, they see what lies beyond the present. It requires the ability to
express the vision in a clear and imaginative way. For example, the famous “I have a dream”
speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.
3. It has both a critical and inspiring dimension
The envisioned society serves as inspiration to those who believe in its vision, and who hope and
expect it to come in the future. It expresses something that is regarded as beautiful, desired, the
common good. At the same time, such a vision has a critical dimension. It functions as a critical
reminder of the unacceptable present. It was only when a vision of different society emerged
that people were able to see their present situation in a new light.
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