ETHICS and Values

Question 1

Conscientiousness

Answer 1

careful, reflective, and reliable

Question 2

Moral attentiveness

Answer 2

are aware of the various ethical dilemmas at hand.

Question 3

What are NOT traits of ethical behaviour?

Answer 3

Code of conduct 
 Self interest
  Egoistic 
 Organisational environment 
 Selfish 
 Intelligent 
 Good academic background 
 Qualifications 
 Expertise

Question 4

Normative ethics is distinct from descriptive ethics

Answer 4

as the latter is an empirical investigation of people’s moral beliefs. In this context normative ethics is sometimes called prescriptive, rather than descriptive ethics.

Question 5

Meta Ethics

Answer 5

Meta means self-referential. It means something referring to itself. It is the Ethical philosophy that analyses the meaning and scope of moral values itself. This branch of ethics asks the question of nature of morality rather than what is right or wrong. In Meta ethics we study about the origin of the moral principles, can these be made objective etc.

Question 6

Ethical dissonance & dilemma

Answer 6

Value conflict is called dissonance & is related term to the ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemma occurs when there is wrong doing along with the wrong thinking. Repercussion of ethical dilemma can be more severe.

Question 7

main theories of ethics

Answer 7

1. Utilitarian (Consequential)
2. Deontology (Duty / Rights)
3. Virtue Ethics
4. Divine Command theory
5. Natural Law theory

Question 8

subject areas of study in Meta Ethics

Answer 8

• Nature of ethical properties
• Statements
• Attitudes
• Judgments

Question 9

Utilitarian theory of ethics is of the following types

Answer 9

1. Rule Utilitarian
2. Act Utilitarian
3. Implementation Utilitarian
4. Review Utilitarian

Question 10

theories of social changes

Answer 10

 The evolutionary theory
 Functionalist theory
 Convergence theory
 Conflict theory

Question 11

functionalism theory

Answer 11

saw societies as moving from simple to complex social structures.

Question 12

unilinear evolutionary theories

Answer 12

which maintain that all societies pass through the same sequence of stages of evolution to reach the same destiny

Question 13

Multilinear evolutionary theory

Answer 13

Contemporary social evolutionists like Gerhard Lenski, Jr., however, view social change as multilinear rather than unilinear. Multilinear evolutionary theory holds that change can occur in several ways and does not inevitably lead in the same direction

Question 14

Functionalist theory

Answer 14

Functionalist sociologists emphasize what maintains society, not what changes it. Parsons a leading functionalist, saw society in its natural state as being stable and balanced. That is, society naturally moves toward a state of homeostasis.
According to his equilibrium theory, changes in one aspect of society require adjustments in other aspects. When these adjustments do not occur, equilibrium disappears, threatening social order. Parsons’ equilibrium theory incorporates the evolutionary concept of continuing progress, but the predominant theme is stability and balance.

Question 15

Convergence theory

Answer 15

Convergence theory presumes that as nations move from the early stages of industrialization toward becoming fully industrialized, they begin to resemble other industrialized societies in terms of societal norms and technology. The characteristics of these nations effectively converge. Eventually and ultimately, this could lead to a unified global culture,

Question 16

Karl Marx Conflict theorists

Answer 16

Conflict theorists maintain that, because a society's wealthy and powerful ensure the status quo in which social practices and institutions favorable to them continue, change plays a vital role in remedying social inequalities and injustices. 
Although Karl Marx accepted the evolutionary argument that societies develop along a specific direction, he did not agree that each successive stage presents an improvement over the previous stage.  Marx noted that history proceeds in stages in which the rich always exploit the poor and weak as a class of people. Slaves in ancient Rome and the working classes of today share the same basic exploitation. Only by socialist revolution led by the proletariat (working class), will any society move into its final stage of development: a free, classless, and communist society. Marx's view of social change is proactive; it does not rely on people remaining passive in response to exploitation. Unlike functionalism and its emphasis on stability, Marx holds that conflict is desirable and needed to initiate social change and rid society of inequality.

Question 17

social norm

Answer 17

Social Norms govern our lives by giving us instructions & guidance
 Social Norms are the unwritten rules of behavior
 Norms function to provide order and predictability in society
 Norms can change according to the environment, situation, and culture

Question 18

There are four key types of norms

Folkways ….. Mores…….. Taboos…… Laws

Answer 18

Folkways ….. Mores…….. Taboos…… Laws

increasing intensity

Question 19

Informal norms

folkways and mores difference

Answer 19

Mores distinguish the difference between right and wrong, while folkways draw a line between right and rude. While folkways may raise an eyebrow if violated, mores dictate morality and come with heavy consequences.

Question 20

Relation between Values, Morality, Character & Habit

Answer 20

 Morality is our understanding of what is good or bad. It is more related to the cultural norms prevailing in the society.
 Values we acquire on the basis of moral principles of the society.
 Good values develop good character
 Character is set of permanent values which we consider important
 Values & character of individual decide his behaviour  Ritualistic behaviour become habits which are non permanent traits
 Good habits are called virtues, bad habits as vices

Question 21

Culture includes things

Answer 21

like spoken language, education, social interactions, religious beliefs, music, and the arts.

Question 22

Micro & Macro ethics

Answer 22

Microethics: “concerned with individuals and the internal relations of the engineering profession”
Macroethics: “concerned with the collective, social responsibility of the engineering profession and societal decisions about technology”

microethics is related to personal decisions about ethical situations in our lives and careers. Macroethics looks at bigger picture issues such as sustainability, poverty, social justice, and bioethics which need to be addressed by the engineering profession (and society) as a whole

Question 23

Moral agent

Answer 23

Moral agent is that whose actions, character & intentions can be morally evaluated. A moral agent is a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong and to be held accountable for his or her own actions. Moral agents have a moral responsibility

Question 24

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

Answer 24

 Refute the paradox (dilemma): The situation must be carefully analyzed. In some cases, the existence of the dilemma can be logically refuted.
 Value theory approach: Choose the alternative that offers the greater good and the lesser evil.
 Find alternative solutions: In some cases, the problem can be reconsidered, and the new alternative solutions may arise.

Question 25

sense of vocation

Answer 25

treat the duty as service to society

Question 26

holism

Answer 26

comprehensive view on different aspect

Question 27

moral autonomy

Answer 27

action based on rational and moral judgement