Ethics

moral dilemma

- a choice between what seem to be two equally desirable or undesirable alternatives
- each alternative can be justified by fundamental moral rules or principles choosing either seems to violate an ethical principle, yet the choose must be made.

Validity

Premises, of true, conclusively prove the conclusion true. I.E., if the promises are true it is impossible for the conclusion to be false. I.E., the truth of the conclusion

Soundness

Valid argument with true premises

Principle of Utility

- it directs us to perform those actions likely to have the best consequences for all affected by them.
- obtain as much information as possible about the situation and then making the decision likely to maximize overall happiness
- happiness = pleasure &

principle of respect for persons

- thus , to respect human beings as rational beings, we must respect their capacity for informed rational choice. To do otherwise, is to treat the, not as persons, but rather as mere objects, instruments or things.
- the principle of respect for persons i

Utilitarianism

- Comprehensive utilitarianism suffers from simple mindedness ... having 'too few thoughts to match the world as it really is'.
- Scapegoat problems
-Negligence of values like autonomy & justice.

Moral pluralism

- The belief that so long as individuals of freedom to think and act for themselves, there will be conflicts between good and important ethical values and principles that cannot be easily resolved by a single comprehensive theory consisting of a rigid, hi

Limits of a code of ethics.

- Provide an enfourcable standard of minimally decent conduct that allows the profession to discipline those who clearly fall below the minimal standard
- To indicate in general terms some of the ethical considerations professional must take into account

Significant problems of a specific, concrete code of ethics

1. Difficult to avoid controversial principles and thus unlikely to achieve wide acceptance.
2. Will be excessively lengthy, lack brevity.
3. Can never provide unambiguous guidance in all possible situation.s

Three steps of ethical analysis

1. Determining and obtaining relevant factual information.
- A good way to begin but no decision making model