Optional Theme 2 (HL – extra theme): Theories and problems of ethics

Normative ethics:

· consequentialism; predictability, unpredictability

To what extent can the responsibility for the predictable consequences of our actions be a moral principle?

· Ethics & actions vs. ethics & actors

Critically evaluate the view that ethics should be more concerned with who you are than what you do.

· Teleological/deontological views of person

Critically evaluate the claim that we should never treat a person as a means to an end.

· Scope, limitations of deontological views

Explain and discuss the notion of duty in forming moral decisions.

· Morality as requirement for human reflection

People want to live a good life. Should it be a morally good life?

· Justification/legitimation of moral judgments

Using an example from applied ethics, evaluate the grounds on which we should justify our moral judgments.

· Approaches to individual; normative possibilities

“Everybody to count for one, and nobody to count for more than one.” With reference to an issue from Applied Ethics, discuss the ways in which this statement could be applied as a normative ethical approach.

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Applied Ethics:

· Ethics as indicator and facilitator of progress

To what extent should applied ethics be committed to the promotion of change in the world?

· Environmental ethics; duties, responsibilities

To what extent do you agree that we have a moral duty to care for the environment?

· Natural, social, cultural environments

To what extent does living an ethical life mean living in accordance with the natural environment and living beings?

· Evaluative analysis of an ethical issue

With the use of an example from applied ethics, analyze and evaluate the role of reason in coming to ethical judgments.

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Meta-ethics

· Fact-value gap; morality vs. ontology

“You cannot derive an ought from an is.” Discuss and critically evaluate this claim.

· Ethical/moral relativism: multiculturalism

“Morality differs in every society and in every culture and is, therefore, a convenient term for socially approved habits.” Discuss and critically evaluate.

· Emotivism, non-cognitivism, relativism

Critically assess the claim that moral judgments have meaning and value only if they are based on the current tastes of the majority.

· Altruism, egoism; nature of moral judgments

To what extent is impartiality a necessary condition of moral judgments?

· Emotive & non-cognitive views of morality

“Morality is no more than an expression of approval or taste.” Critically discuss.

· Universal vs. particular norms and values

“Moral pluralism is the view that moral values, norms, ideals, duties and virtues are irreducibly diverse. Unlike relativism, however, moral pluralism holds that there are rational constraints on what can count as a moral value.” Critically discuss.

· Naturalism enables objective/realist views

Critically assess the view that ethical judgments should be based on natural properties or nature.

· Role of Science in applied/practical ethics

Critically discuss the role scientific knowledge should play in the application of ethics.

· Nature/applications of different moral theories

“The various moral theories are like a variety of lenses. Each one helps us focus on specific aspects of human behavior and when taken together, they give us the best means to evaluate leading a good life.” Discuss and evaluate this claim.

· Universal Ethical Principles; egoism; altruism

“Morality requires a person to act for the good of others.” Evaluate this claim.

· Moral action; Freedom vs. Determinism

Evaluate the extent to which moral action can be understood as determined.

· Intrinsic vs. instrumental values; perspectives

Are moral values necessarily, and without exception, dependent on ends? Critically evaluate.