ETHICS

An introduction

“The field of ethics, also called moral philosophy, involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.”

The Internet Encyclopedia of philosophywww.iep.utm.edu/e/ethics.htm

• Metaethics

• Normative ethics

• Applied Ethics

Relativism

• Morals - rules of behavior

• Mores - associated with customs

PLATO (429-347 B.C.E.)

(Pupil of Socrates and founder of the Academy in 385)

“Is it always better to be just than unjust?”

ARISTOTLE (384-322B.C.E.)

The aim of the study of ethics is to improve our lives – our well being.

KANT (1724-1804)

Categorical Imperatives and Duty

JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 – 1832)

UTILITARIANS - the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

Zygmunt Bauman Life in Fragments: Essays in

• “We are , so to speak, ineluctably - existentially - moral beings: that is, we are faced with the challenge of the Other, which is the challenge of responsibility for the Other.”

[ . . .] whether we chose it or not, we confront our situation as a moral problem and our life choices as moral dilemmas.(Bauman 1995:2) . .] whether we chose it or not, we confront our situation as a moral problem and our life choices as moral dilemmas. ﾓ (Bauman 1995:2)

“[. . .] it is equally easy to underdo as it is to overdo what ‘acting responsibility’ may ideally require.” (Bauman 1995, 3)

‘it is as if despite the most sophisticated and committed use of various media in exposing and laying bare the flagrant abuse of power by brutal governments, civic authorities and those often (faceless) murderers . . there is both an overload of evidence testifying to the violence of the contemporary times that permeates all aspects of life, as well as a lack of knowledge of real suffering’ (Mukta 2004)