Lecture

Ethical Argumentation: Justifying Actions

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In course

HUM-271: Social and political ethics B

L'objectif du cours est de donner aux étudiant-e-s des outils d'analyse critique en vue d'un jugement éthique éclairé sur une question controversée. L'apprentissage porte sur l'identification des arguments, les valorisations qu'ils impliquent et leur mise ...

Description

This lecture introduces the concept of argumentation, focusing on ethical arguments and the notion of the 'Good' as a guiding principle. Through examples and analysis, the instructor explores the importance of providing evidence to persuade others of the correctness of ethical claims. The lecture delves into the duty not to harm others and the imperative nature of ethical prescriptions, emphasizing the compulsory nature of acting ethically. It also discusses the hierarchy of goods at stake in ethical dilemmas and the ethical requirements when lives are at stake. The presentation concludes with a critical examination of moral judgments and the sources of ethics in practical human cooperation and the desire for a good life.

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Good

In most contexts, the concept of good denotes the conduct that should be preferred when posed with a choice between possible actions. Good is generally considered to be the opposite of evil and is of ethics, morality, philosophy, and religion. The specific meaning and etymology of the term and its associated translations among ancient and contemporary languages show substantial variation in its inflection and meaning, depending on circumstances of place and history, or of philosophical or religious context.

Good and evil

In religion, ethics, philosophy, and psychology "good and evil" is a very common dichotomy. In cultures with Manichaean and Abrahamic religious influence, evil is perceived as the dualistic antagonistic opposite of good, in which good should prevail and evil should be defeated. In cultures with Buddhist spiritual influence, both good and evil are perceived as part of an antagonistic duality that itself must be overcome through achieving Śūnyatā meaning emptiness in the sense of recognition of good and evil being two opposing principles but not a reality, emptying the duality of them, and achieving a oneness.

Ethics

Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior". The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concerns matters of value; these fields comprise the branch of philosophy called axiology. Ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality by defining concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime. As a field of intellectual inquiry, moral philosophy is related to the fields of moral psychology, descriptive ethics, and value theory.

Business ethics

Business ethics (also known as corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics, that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. These ethics originate from individuals, organizational statements or the legal system. These norms, values, ethical, and unethical practices are the principles that guide a business.

Ethics in religion

Ethics involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. A central aspect of ethics is "the good life", the life worth living or life that is simply satisfying, which is held by many philosophers to be more important than traditional moral conduct. Most religions have an ethical component, often derived from purported supernatural revelation or guidance. Some assert that religion is necessary to live ethically.

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