Ethical models /attitudestowards a discussion

of what is rightJan 23 2013

Hugh Gash

Philosophy

Ontology – existenceEpistemology – knowing and truthEthics – the good right justiceAesthetics – beauty

Ethics

Meta-ethics: meanings and assumptions for ethical words

Normative ethics: how we go about thinking about what is right – or why are things right?

Applied ethics: inclusion, and other topics

Ethics and objectivity – the importance of making sense

Do we tolerate different approaches to right and wrong? If right and wrong are objective then to be wrong is an error, ..

How do we establish what is true? How do we establish meanings?

Right and wrong and psychology

Piaget: initial rigidity, then reciprocity, then debate

Kohlberg: preconventional, to conventional to post-conventional

Recent developments

Altruism and selfishness

Collectivism (heroes)CooperationSharing: goods, services, informationEthics about reason or emotion – its a

question of timing and what you know?Male and female ethics differ..?

Normative ethics – what is good?

RulesPersonalityConsequences

Rules

Rules: duties to God (ecology), oneself (National Health obligations), others (equality)

Kant – do not use other people

Rules or Duties (Ross)

Keep promisesCompensate for harmThank those who helpRecognize meritImprove conditions of othersImprove ourselves: virtue and intelligenceDo not injure others

Rules

Rawls: what we would all do if we were unbiased

Locke 17th century – Human RightsDiscussion: What rules are implicit in your

countries schools? What are the rights and duties implicit in your school system?

Virtues (Personality approach)

Virtue theories of ethicsWhat are the main virtues of good

teachers? Have they to do with teaching, the pupils, or the wider community?

Consequences

The best action is one that increases well being the most..

Runaway train: you can save the lives of four people by pulling a lever so that the train goes into a siding and kills one person...Do you act?