Ethics and Law

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Ethics and Law

• 04567380

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What is ethics?

• ethicnoun EtymologyMiddle English ethik, from
  Middle French ethique, from Latin ethice, from
  Greek ethike, from ethikos Date14th century
• 1plural but singular or plural in constr the
  discipline dealing with what is good and bad and
  with moral duty and obligation

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What is ethics?

• 2 a a set of moral principles a theory or
  system of moral values ltthe present-day
  materialistic ethicgt ltan old-fashioned work
  ethicgt ?often used in plural but singular or
  plural in construction

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What is ethics?

• 2 b the principles of conduct governing an
  individual or a group ltprofessional ethicsgt
• 2 c a guiding philosophy
• 2 d a consciousness of moral importance ltforge a
  conservation ethicgt

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What is ethics?

• 3 plural a set of moral issues or aspects (as
  rightness) ltdebated the ethics of human cloninggt

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What is morality?

• Adjective Etymology Middle English, from
  Anglo-French, from Latin moralis, from mor-, mos
  custom Date14th century
• 1 a of or relating to principles of right and
  wrong in behavior ethical ltmoral judgmentsgt b
  expressing or teaching a conception of right
  behavior lta moral poemgt c conforming to a
  standard of right behavior

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What is morality?

• d sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience
  or ethical judgment lta moral obligationgt e
  capable of right and wrong action lta moral agentgt
• 2 probable though not proved virtual lta moral
  certaintygt

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What is morality?

• 3 perceptual or psychological rather than
  tangible or practical in nature or effect lta
  moral victorygt ltmoral supportgt

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What is right?

• Righteous, upright
• Good, just or proper (right conduct)
• Conforming to facts or truth (the right answer)
• Suitable, appropriate
• Genuine, real
• Ethical

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Who decides?

• Moses took a crack at it.
• Old Testament Deuteronomy.
• No graven images, keep the Sabbath, no adultery,
  no killing (of humans, that is) except under
  certain conditions, no stealing and no bearing
  false witness.
• Ohand do not desire thy neighbors wife.

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But then

• Moses described how the Israelites should divide
  power (one leader for each of 12 tribes, each
  tribe cut into smaller power centers) and how he
  didnt want his lieutenants coming to him unless
  they had a major problem.

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And he said

• Moses told his assistants, the ones he just told
  to handle all complaints Hear out your fellow
  man, and decide justly between any man and a
  fellow Israelite or stranger

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And he (also) said

• You shall not be partial in judgment hear out
  low and high alike.
• Deuteronomy 19

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Did Jesus endorse situation ethics?

• At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day
  through the grainfields and his disciples were
  hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat. But
  the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him,
  Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not
  lawful to do upon the sabbath.

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Did Jesus endorse situation ethics?

• But Jesus said unto them, Have ye not read what
  David did, when he was hungry, and they that were
  with him how he entered into the house of God,
  and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful
  for him to eat, neither for them that were with
  him, but only for the priests?

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What is situation ethics?

• Situation ethics is the notion that there are no
  absolute rules governing right and wrong. Rather,
  all human activity is determined by the situation
  of the moment, supposedly guided by love alone.

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The Koran

• The word ethic or ethics does not appear in
  the Koran.
• Allah loves those who act equitably.
• Do not utter lies.
• But emphasis that unbelievers are lost.
  (strangers.)

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What were pretty sure about

• No lying or cheating
• Tell the truth.
• Do your own work.
• Be accurate, fair, honest.
• Do NOT distort, mislead, plagiarize, advocate,
  have conflicts, take gifts.

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But make sure you

• Clarify points, encourage public participation,
  admit mistakes, uncover others ethical
  practices, and abide by the same high standards
  you expect of others.

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What are some aspects of ethics?

• Fabricating, lying, plagiarism
• Sources getting too close
• Influence by outsiders (business, pols)
• Legal problems
• Privacy
• Accountability
• Compassion
• Freebies

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What you need to do in this course

• Read the books.
• Write paper(s).
• Make an oral presentation.
• Get extra credit.
• Take a few quizzes, a midterm and a final exam.
• Attend class.