Introduction

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

The philosophical theory of good choices (as opposed to bad choices)

Question 2

Nature of ethics

(Trolley problem)

Answer 2

1) We humans constantly face choices
2) We make choices for reasons
3) … it’s sometimes difficult to formulate these reasons

Question 3

What makes a choice a good choice?

Answer 3

The reason

Question 4

One particularly important principle about moral choices:

Answer 4

Consequentialist principle

Question 5

What is the consequentialist principle?

Answer 5

What makes a choice good or bad is only the consequences of that choice

Question 6

Ethics is the philosophical theory of good choices

good in what sense «good»?
(Definitions)

Answer 6

1. The «duty» definition
2. The «unconditionality» definition

Question 7

The «duty» definition

Answer 7

Ethics is the theory of good choices in the sense of what is morally good, what is our moral duty,as opposed to any other consideration (including happiness)

Question 8

Egoism

(opposing the moral duty definition)

Answer 8

good for myself, bad for others

or: good in the sense of what leads to my happiness,but not good in the sense of what I should do, or what ismy moral duty

Question 9

«Unconditional» definition

Answer 9

Ethics is the theory of good choices (or choices constituting a good life), « good » not in the instrumental and conditional sense, but good in the ultimate and unconditional sense

What should I do «without ifs»

Question 10

Debate question based on duty and unconditionality definitions

Answer 10

– What makes a life a good life in the absolute sense ?
* self-interest or altruism?
* happiness or duty?