Key Concepts
Key Concepts
Key Concepts
1. Why Rules?
3. Dilemmas
RULES
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Rules: Imagine and Think
Order
Get things done
We are beings with
others
(Esse est co-esse)
Usual Rules of Our Lives
Etiquette – standards by which we judge manners to be
good or bad; normally dictated by a socio-economic
elite.
Legal – standards by which we judge legal right and
wrong; in a democracy, formulated by representatives
of the people.
Language – standards by which we judge what is
grammatically right or wrong; evolve through use
Aesthetics – standards by which we judge good or bad
art; usually dictated by a small circle of art
connoisseurs
Athletic – standards by which we judge how good or
bad a game is played; usually formulated by governing
bodies.
How are non-moral standards different
from
Rules mandating fair treatment of all
races
Rules that give women equal rights with
men
Rules forcing management to treat
workers fairly
Rules prohibiting parents from abusing
(verbally, emotionally, physically and
sexually) their children
MORAL STANDARDS
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Moral Standards
What distinguishes moral standards from amoral
standards?
1. Moral standards deal with matters that can
seriously injure or benefit human beings. E.g. theft,
rape, fraud, slander, murder.
BUT
Procedural=standard is optimality/efficiency
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DILEMMAS
What is dilemma?
Dilemmas are experience where an agent is
confused about the right decision to make
because there are several competing values
that are seemingly equally important and
urgent.
Feelings and Dilemmas
Reason Defined
• A faculty
• A way of dealing with issues
• Moral judgments are not a matter of personal
preferences or taste.
“…the morally right thing to do, in any circumstance,
is determined by what there are the best reasons
for doing.” Rachels “What is Morality”
Impartiality Defined
Every stakeholder’s interest is equally important
There are no special interests or people, thus in
making every moral decision, each stakeholder
interest should be considered
One must not be arbitrary
Every person should be treated the same way
unless there is good reason not to do so.