Lecture III

Ethics as an Internal Paradigm.

Ammar Latif
ammar@iqraisb.edu.pk
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Lecture III ~ Paradigms.

* What is a paradigm? Ideas? * How do paradigms get started? * Identify a few recent paradigm changes. Ideas? * How do paradigms develop/change over time?
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Lecture III ~
* A paradigm can be described as a widespread mode of thought. One that is shared by many people. It serves as a pattern or a framework of thought. * Why internal? Because it is governed by self reflection on personal ideas & observations.

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* Morals, ideas, beliefs, opinions of virtue, ideologies, creeds, value systems & faiths all have what in common? Ideas?

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* They are all internal aspects of ourselves. * Ethics then depends on these aspects for correct actions. * Ethics refers to principles that define behaviour as right, good and proper. * What are other internal aspects of ourselves? Ideas?
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Lecture III ~ Questions....

* Should I lie on my job application? * Should I ignore my bosses hypocrisies to keep my job? * Should I tell my friend that his friend is not such a good friend? * Should I give my cousin the job even though he isn't fully qualified?
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Lecture III ~
* The answers to these questions is determined by the particular beliefs & morals of a person. * These are internal factors to be thought about. * An internal ethics paradigm then is a system of values & beliefs that is shared by a number of people with 7 a common outlook.

Lecture III ~ Brain Food....

* Some things to think about when deciding your point of view. What is the present state? What is the ideal state? What is the minimally acceptable state?

Lecture III ~ title....

How do we get from the present to the minimally acceptable state? How do we get from the minimally acceptable state to the ideal state?

Lecture III ~ Developing a point of view.

* Here's a way of looking at things....

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Lecture III ~
* The previous diagram is a good framework for deciding moral disagreements. * Moral concerns are unavoidable in life. * Morality is a lot like nutrition. Its principal concern is health.

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Lecture III ~
* Morality is the first order set of beliefs and practices about how to live a good life. * Ethics is a a second order conscious reflection on the adequacy of our moral beliefs. * These concepts need time for internal reflection ie. A clear moral stance on things.
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* This stance develops over time & is not fixed. * The goal of this reflection is moral health. * We seek to determine what will nourish our moral life and what will poison it?

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Lecture III ~
* Thus ethics can be viewed as how we evaluate our own & other people's behaviour as well as how we search for meaning & value in our own lives.

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* So how does an ethics paradigm develop? * In order to know this we need to know some basic concepts. The basis of our moral decision? Cultural influences? Situational influences? Personal contingencies?
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Lecture III ~ Basic Moral * Do what the Bible tells youOrientations....

Divine Command Theories * Follow your conscience- The Ethics of Conscience * Watch out for #1- Ethical Egoism * Do the right thing- The Ethics of Duty * Don't dis' me- The Ethics of Respect * ...all Men are created ...with certain unalienable Rights- The Ethics of Rights * Make the world a better placeUtilitarianism * Daddy, thats not fairThe Ethics of Justice 16 * Be a good personVirtue Ethics

Lecture III ~ Your initial Moral Orientation. How important are each of the following in your life?
* Religious commands? * Conscience? * Selfishness? * Duty? * Respect? * Rights? * Consequences for everyone? * Justice? * Personal Virtue?

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Video Analysis & discussion.

The Story of Bottled Water.

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