The Nature of Morality

1
The Nature of Morality

• General Overview
• We are discussing no small matter, but how we
  ought to live (Plato in the Republic ca. 390B.C.)

2
Motivation vs. Justification in Ethics

• Moral Motivation explanation as to why we behave
  morally
• Motivational AssumptionThe desire to justify
  our actions on grounds others could not
  reasonably reject.
• Moral Justification consists of the reasons in
  favor of a particular moral theory or position.

3
Three Divisions in Ethics

• Meta-ethics The second-order activity of
  investigating the concepts and methods of ethics,
  rather than directly engaging with practical
  (first-order) issues of what to do and how to
  behave.
• Normative Ethics The study of the concepts
  involved in practical reasoning good, right,
  duty, obligation, virtue, freedom, rationality,
  choice.
• Practical Ethics (Applied Ethics) The subject
  that applies ethics to actual practical problems.

4
Moral Arguments

• -The general form is as follows
• (1) Major premise General Moral principle
• (2) Minor premise Factual claim
• (3) Conclusion Moral determination
• (1) It is wrong to use people as means to other
  peoples ends.
• (2) Taking Baby Theresas organs would be using
  her as a means to other peoples ends
  (specifically, as a means to benefiting the other
  infants).
• (3) Therefore, taking baby Theresas organs would
  be wrong.

5
Example Argument

• (1) It is wrong to use people as means to other
  peoples ends.
• (2) Taking Baby Theresas organs would be using
  her as a means to other peoples ends
  (specifically, as a means to benefiting the other
  infants).
• (3) Therefore, taking baby Theresas organs would
  be wrong.

6
Evaluating Moral Arguments

• Valid argument- an argument is valid if it is
  impossible for its premises to all be true and
  its conclusion false.
• Sound argument- a sound argument is a valid
  argument with premises that are in fact true.

7
Minimum Conception of Morality

• Good Reasons- the morally right thing to do is
  determined by the best reasons for a certain
  course of action.
• Impartiality- the morally right thing to do
  should treat each persons interests as equally
  important.