Ethics and Morality (Unit 2)

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

The search for the infinite good (Greek word= ethika, having to do with good character)
- Deals with the good humans aim for

Question 2

What is morality?

Answer 2

Translating the search for good into the way we live (Latin word=moralitas, having to do with customs/habits/manners)
- Deals with the way humans attain that good

Question 3

What is the relationship between ethics and morality

Answer 3

Ethics guides morality, ethics give vision to actions (the foundation)

Question 4

What are the two schools of thought on morality?

Answer 4

Moral realism and moral relativism

Question 5

What is moral realism?

Answer 5

Morality deals with actual, objective truths (people’s actions/thoughts are either objectively good/bad)

Question 6

What is moral relativism?

Answer 6

Morality is just a name different groups/cultures give to actions they like/dislike based on needs
- Different societies have cultural differences at different times, morality then based on it
- No real objective morality, only a matter of opinion and context

Question 7

What is the core argument of moral relativists/realists?

Answer 7

Relativist: Proved right by the massive number of cultures with different moral beliefs conflicting

Realist: Though different cultures have different moral practices, they have common principles
- Moral progress shows that morality must be real, as if it’s impossible to become morally better if it is all just opinion

Question 8

What is the Catholic/most religious teachings of moral realist/relativists?

Answer 8

Moral realist

Catholic: Part of God’s creation (a real thing) and He has expectations of us (a real thing) for his intentions as HIs creation
= Morality allows us to choose/reject those expectations

Question 9

What is the job of ethics?

Answer 9

Tells us to reflect on our actions (if intentional)
- Not for every action, just those that aren’t intention/occur in every person (ex. sleeping)