CS401A's Midterms: Ethics Module 03 Flashcards
For midterms exams.
are two contrasting views of ethics.
Ethical relativism and moral absolutism
asserts that morality depends on cultural, historical, or personal circumstances,
Ethical relativism
asserts that universal moral principles are applicable to all individuals, regardless of circumstances.
while moral absolutism
argues that moral values are shaped by social, cultural, and individual perspectives.
Ethical relativism
What is considered right or wrong is subjective and can vary accross different societies.
Ethical relativism
Main Features of
— denies the existence of objective, universally applicable moral principles.
Ethical Relativism
1. Rejection of Universal Moral Standards
Main Features of
— Each culture or society establishes its ethical framework, and cultural traditions dictate what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable within that group.
Ethical Relativism
2. Cultural Determination of Ethics
Main Features of
— The norms, values, and historical contexts of a particular society shape moral judgments. What is deemed ethical is influenced by the collective beliefs and practices of the community at a given time.
Ethical Relativism
3. Influence of Societal Norms and Context
Examples of
— In some cultures, arranged marriages are the norm, while in others, they are seen as a violation of individual autonomy.
Ethical Relativism
* Arranged Marriages
Examples of
— Some cultures prohibit eating certain animals, whereas others consume them regularly.
(e.g., cows in India and pork in Islamic countries)
Ethical Relativism
* Dietary Practices
Criticisms of
— can justify harmful or unethical practices if they are culturally accepted.
(such as discrimination or human rights abuses)
Ethical Relativism
* Justification of Unethical Practices
Criticisms of
— By asserting that all moral codes are equally valid,
discourages critical examination of harmful practices and hinders moral growth and societal progress.
Ethical Relativism
* Prevention of Moral Progress
Criticisms of
— In multicultural societies,
can lead to conflicting moral standards, making it difficult to resolve ethical disagreements.
Ethical Relativism
* Moral Inconsistency
asserts that certain ethical principles are universal and unchanging, regardless of cultural or individual differences.
Moral absolutism
Main Features of
— Moral laws apply to all individuals equally, regardless of culture, period, or personal beliefs. Right and wrong are objective and unchanging.
Moral absolutism
1. Universal Moral Principles
Main Features of
— Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms or traditions. Morality is not determined by cultural perspectives but is based on fixed principles that go beyond cultural beliefs and customs.
Moral absolutism
2. Independence from Cultural Influence
Main Features of
— Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances.
Moral absolutism
3. Inherent Right and Wrong
Examples of
— Regardless of nationality or culture, all individuals have fundamental rights that should be upheld.
Moral Absolutism
* Universal Human Rights
Examples of
— Regardless of context, taking another person’s life without justification is universally condemned.
Moral Absolutism
* Murder is Wrong
Criticisms of
— can be rigid, ignoring cultural diversity and the complexity of human societies.
Moral Absolutism
* Lack of Flexibility
Criticisms of
— It may not provide clear answers in situations where ethical principles conflict, such as balancing honesty with compassion.
Moral Absolutism
* Difficulty in Resolving Moral Dilemmas
Criticisms of
— Even if universal moral values exist, different cultures and individuals may interpret and apply them differently based on context.
Moral Absolutism
* Interpretation Variation
The debate between
explores whether humans have control over their actions or whether external forces predetermine their choices.
free will and determinism
is the ability to make choices independently, without being entirely controlled by external forces or deterministic factors.
Free will
Main Features of
— Individuals have control over their decisions.
Free Will
1. Autonomy
Main Features of
— People can distinguish right from wrong and are accountable for their choices.
Free Will
2. Ethical Responsibility
Main Features of
— Biological or environmental factors do not entirely determine human actions.
Free Will
3. Independence
Examples of
— A person chooses a career based on interests and aspirations rather than being forced into a specific path.
Free Will
* Choosing a Career
Examples of
— Returning a low wallet even though they could have kept the money.
Free Will
* Moral Choices
Examples of
— An individual works hard to overcome negative habits, which demostrates self-improvement through conscious effort.
Free Will
* Personal Growth
Examples of
— Citizens make independent political decisions without external coercion.
Free Will
* Voting in Elections
Criticisms of
— Decisions may still be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and societal norms.
Free Will
* External Influences
Criticisms of
— Neuroscientific studies suggest that brain activity may determine choices before conscious awareness.
Free Will
* Neuroscience
Criticisms of
may be limited in extreme situations, such as coercion or mental illness.
Free Will
* Extreme Situations
is the obligation to act in accordance with ethical principles and be accountable for one’s actions.
Moral responsibility
It means recognizing how decisions affect others and accepting the consequences.
Moral responsibility
It plays a key role in ethics, guiding behavior, and societal norms.
Moral responsibility
Main Features of
requires the ability to make choices. Individuals must have control over their actions and the freedom to choose between different options.
— Moral responsibility
* Agency
Main Features of
— People must be held accountable for the consequences of their actions, whether they were intentional or unintentional.
Moral Responsibility
* Accountability
Main Features of
— The individual’s intention behind an action is important in determining moral responsibility. Actions done with deliberate intent carry more moral weight than those done accidentally.
Moral Responsibility
* Intentionality
Main Features of
— A person must understand the potential consequences of their actions and be aware of the ethical implications before deciding.
Moral Responsibility
* Awareness
Main Features of
— Moral responsibility assumes that the person is capable of understanding right from wrong. It is often considered in the context of age, mental health, or other factors that might impair decision-making.
Moral Responsibility
* Capacity
is an Examples of
— Choosing to help someone in distress, like assisting an injured person,
Moral Responsibility
* Helping a stranger in need
because it
involves a conscious decision to act with kindness and empathy.
Examples of
— If someone accidentally breaks another person’s property, they are morally responsible for apologizing and taking steps to make amends.
Moral Responsibility
* Apologizing for a mistake
Examples of
— Parents have the moral responsibility to raise their children, provide for their needs, and teach them right form wrong.
Moral Responsibility
* Parenting
Examples of
— A corporation that pollutes the environment has a moral responsibility to minimize harm to the planet and take actions to protect natural resources.
Moral Responsibility
* Environmental stewardship
Examples of
— If actions are determined by prior causes, individuals may not have true moral responsibility, as their choices aren’t fully free.
(genetics, upbringing, external influences)
Moral Responsibility
* Determinism
Examples of
— The idea that outcomes often depend on factors beyond a person’s control challenges the fairness of assigning moral responsibility, as two people may make the same decision but face different consequences.
Moral Responsibility
* Moral Luck
Examples of
— Individuals with mental health conditions or diminished cognitive abilities may not be fully responsible for their actions, which raises ethical concerns about accountability.
Moral Responsibility
* Mental Health and Capacity
suggests that all events, including human actions, are caused by prior conditions and cannot occur otherwise.
Determinism
Main Features of
— Every action is the result of preceding causes, which influence outcomes.
Determinism
1. Causality of Actions
Main Features of
— A combination of biological, environmental, and social factors influences human behavior.
Determinism
2. Shaping of Behavior
Main Features of
— Free will may be an illusion, as our choices are often shaped by past experiences and external influences, leaving little room for true autonomy.
Determinism
3. Questioning Free Will
Examples of
— A person born into a family with a history of high intelligence may excel academically due to inherited traits and cognitive predispositions.
Determinism
* Genetic Influence
Examples of
— A child raised in an abusive household may develop trust issues and struggle with relationships or exhibit aggressive tendencies in adulthood.
Determinism
* Psychological Trauma
Criticisms of
— If actions are determined by external forces or internal conditioning, it may undermine moral responsibility and accountability for one’s actions.
Determinism
* Moral Accountability
Criticisms of
— Human decisions may not be purely determined; rather, they may involve a blend of pre-existing influences and some degree of free will.
Determinism
* Complex Decision-Making
Criticisms of
— Research shows that individuals can adapt and alter their behaviors over time which suggests the possibility of overcoming deterministic influences through personal growth and intervention.
Determinism
* Capacity for Change
refers to the moral principles that guide corporate behavior, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Business ethics
extends beyond profit-making, highlighting businesses’ responsibilities towards society and the environment.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
governs decision-making processes and ensures that companies operate with integrity and fairness.
Business ethics
Main Principles of
Companies should provide truthful information to the customers and stakeholders.
Business ethics
1. Honesty and Transparency
Main Principles of
Fair wages, safe working conditions, and non-discriminatory policies are essential.
Business ethics
2. Fair Treatment of Employees
Main Principles of
Businesses must ensure product safety and avoid deceptive marketing.
Business ethics
3. Consumer Protection
Main Principles of
Ethical leadership and accountability prevent corruption and fraud.
Business ethics
4. Corporate Governance
Examples of
A company that accurately represents its products in ads demonstrates ethical behavior, whereas misleading claims deceive consumers.
Ethical and Unethical Business Practices
* Honest Advertising vs. False Advertising
Examples of
Paying employees a living wage versus underpaying workers in sweatshops.
Ethical and Unethical Business Practices
* Fair Wages vs. Exploitation
Examples of
Implementing eco-friendly production methods versus disposing of waste irresponsibly.
Ethical and Unethical Business Practices
Environmental Sustainability vs. Pollution
focuses on the ethical obligations of businesses toward social and environmental well-being.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Key Areas of
Reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, and minimizing waste.
CSR
1. Environmental Sustainability
Key Areas of
Supporting education, healthcare, and job creation initiatives in local communities.
CSR
2. Community Engagement
Key Areas of
Providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and respecting workers’ rights.
CSR
3. Ethical Labor Practices
Key Areas of
Donating a portion of profits to charities and social causes.
CSR
4. Philanthropy
Examples of
Companies using biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact.
CSR Initiatives
* Eco-Friendly Packaging
Examples of
Supporting suppliers in developing countries by ensuring fair compensation.
CSR Initiatives
* Fair Trade Practices
Benefits of
Ethical businesses attract loyal customers and improve brand reputation.
Business Ethics and CSR
* Consumer Trust
Benefits of
Fair treatment of employees increases job satisfaction and productivity.
Business Ethics and CSR
* Employee Morale
Benefits of
Investors are more likely to support companies with strong ethical standards.
Business Ethics and CSR
* Investor Confidence
Benefits of
Companies practicing CSR can achieve sustainable success by aligning financial goals with social impact.
Business Ethics and CSR
* Long-Term Profitability
are key to sustainable development.
Ethical business practices and CSR
