Engineering & Society: Ethical Philosophies (Lecture 4)

Question 1

what are the fundamental concepts of rights ethics

Answer 1

• -human rights are basic

- - respect for rights is obligatory

Question 2

what are types of rights (rights ethics)

Answer 2

liberty & welfare rights

Question 3

what are liberty rights (rights ethics)

Answer 3

• • related primarily to individuals

- - concern mainly with non-interference and property protection

Question 4

what are welfare rights (rights ethics)

Answer 4

• • related primarily to collections of people
• • concern mainly with the members of a community
• • include benefits under law, promises and ideals

Question 5

where do rights come from? (rights ethics)

Answer 5

• • outside sources (god, nature, natural law)
• • inside sources (history, precedent, reason)
• • wrongs (bad experiences & moral thinking)

Question 6

how do rights differ from morals or preferences

Answer 6

• -related mainly to gov’ts
• • extend morals and ethics into law
• • “super preferences” superseding minor preferences

Question 7

why are rights important

Answer 7

• -restrict the actions of gov’t
• • protect minority opinions and safety
• • illuminate society’s essential values

Question 8

what are the fundamental concepts of duty ethics

Answer 8

• -required duties are actions that agree with basic morals
• -emphasis is on what we owe to others
• -mirror image of rights (for every right there is a duty_

Question 9

what are the related issues to duty ethics

Answer 9

autonomy, universality & reciprocity

Question 10

what is autonomy (duty ethics)

Answer 10

man determines morality through reason

Question 11

what is universality (duty ethics)

Answer 11

principles apply equally to all people

Question 12

what is reciprocity (duty ethics)

Answer 12

respect others’ desires, needs, efforts

Question 13

what is the categorical imperative (duty ethics)

Answer 13

1) act only according to a maxim that can become a universal law
2) treat people as an end rather than as a means

Question 14

what are some examples of duty ethics

Answer 14

10 commandments, code of chivalry and warrior’s code, cadet honor code, professional codes

Question 15

what are the fundamental concepts of virtue ethics

Answer 15

• • essential virtues are desirable as traits, attitudes, emotions and motives && guides to moral and ethical conduct
• -ideal is to be a virtuous person

Question 16

what are some related issues to virtue ethics

Answer 16

• • Aristotle’s “Golden Mean”
• • evolution of virtues
• • present day relevance

Question 17

what are some examples of virtue ethics

Answer 17

religious precepts, boy scout oath

Question 18

what are the fundamental concepts of utilitarianism (consequentialism)

Answer 18

• • only the consequences of an action are ethically relevant
• • actions are a balance of good vs. bad consequences
• • ethical consequences give “the most happiness for the most people”

Question 19

what are some related principles to utilitarianism

Answer 19

• • “do no harm”

- - “promote freedom”

Question 20

what are some cautions to utilitarianism

Answer 20

• -unforeseen consequences
• -inequitable distribution of happiness
• -neglect of societal relations and values in the interest of results
• • actions that are basically wrong, whatever the consequences

Question 21

what are the fundamental concepts of pragmatism

Answer 21

• • context in which facts and values must be balanced
• • analysis: ethical reasoning vs. fixed rules or ideals
• • flexibility in integrating and harmonizing competing values

Question 22

what are some related principles to pragmatism

Answer 22

• -guidance in methods of analytical thought

- -warning of generalizing from specific cases

Question 23

what is the practical approach to pragmatism

Answer 23

• -cases are concrete dilemmas with differing moral/ethical opinions
• -emphasizing principles often leads to accentuation of differences
• -emphasizing particulars over principles can lead to reconciliation of differences