Ethics Across the Curriculum

 Values Clarification
 Presenting students cases and asking: “What do you think?”
 Values Clarification
 Presenting students cases and asking: “What do you think?”

 Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.

 Values Clarification
 Presenting students cases and asking: “What do you think?”

 Challenge them to develop a reason why they think that.

 Goal: consistency among their beliefs

 Moral Theory Approach
 Moral Theory Approach
 Presenting students case studies and moral theories.
 Moral Theory Approach
 Presenting students case studies and moral theories.

 Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why,

and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.
 Moral Theory Approach
 Presenting students case studies and moral theories.

 Asking them how theory A would lead us to respond and why,

and then how theory B would lead us to respond and why.

 Goal: a plausible moral worldview (not merely internal

consistency)
 Humans are intrinsically valuable.
 Humans are intrinsically valuable.

Why?
 Value is either “extrinsic” (ascribed) or “intrinsic” (inherent).
 Beings who have (a) the capacity for understanding moral
reasons and (b) acting on moral reasons are the only sort of
beings for whom moral obligations are relevant, thus they are
the source of all extrinsic value in the universe.
 Humans meet conditions (a) and (b).
 Therefore, humans are intrinsically valuable.
 Humans are intrinsically valuable.

 Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to

an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.
 Humans are intrinsically valuable.

 Duties are discovered by applying a rational criterion to

an action in light of the intrinsic value of humans.

 Which rational criterion is relevant depends on the

duty-based theorist.
 Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of
reality.
 Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of
reality.

 The value of each being that can experience pleasure

and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is
calculated equally.
 Happiness is the only morally valuable feature of
reality.

 The value of each being that can experience pleasure

and pain (“sentient” beings, human or animal) is
calculated equally.

 An act is right or wrong insofar as it increases or

decreases the overall happiness of the most sentient
beings over the longest time.
What makes an act right or wrong?

Inclination Intended Result

Will
Duty Actual Result
What makes an act right or wrong?

Inclination Intended Result

Will
Duty Actual Result
What makes an act right or wrong?

Inclination Intended Result

Will
Duty Actual Result
The Trolley Case