Ethics/Week 1: Lecture 1 of 4

Summary

In this video lecture, Marie Lagasca-Hiloma explores the difference between ethics and morality. Ethics, as defined by philosophers Loui Pojman and James Fieser, is a universal and prescriptive philosophy focused on how people ought to live, defining what is right and wrong. In contrast, morality is a descriptive concept based on personal beliefs and cultural practices about what is considered right or wrong. Using the example of Anna's belief in telling white lies, the lecture highlights these distinctions, emphasizing that ethics prescribes universal rules, while morality reflects individual or cultural values.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with how we ought to live, focusing on concepts like right and wrong.
• 😀 The key concept in ethics is the word 'ought,' meaning it suggests what people should do in different situations.
• 😀 Ethics is prescriptive, aiming to prescribe or suggest actions that are morally right.
• 😀 Morality refers to actual beliefs, customs, and practices about what is right and wrong, based on personal or cultural views.
• 😀 Morality is descriptive, reflecting what people currently believe to be right or wrong, rather than what should be.
• 😀 Ethics and morality both address human behavior but from different perspectives: ethics prescribes what should be, and morality describes what is.
• 😀 The terms 'ethos' (Greek) and 'mores' (Latin) both mean custom or normal behavior, linking ethics and morality to cultural practices.
• 😀 A key example of ethics versus morality is lying: ethics suggests that lying is always wrong, while morality can differ based on personal beliefs.
• 😀 Immanuel Kant's philosophy asserts that some actions, like lying, are universally wrong, regardless of circumstances or beliefs.
• 😀 The difference between ethics and morality lies in the approach: ethics offers a universal, prescriptive approach, while morality deals with individual, descriptive beliefs.
• 😀 In the next video, the history of ethics and early philosophical questions about ethics and morality will be explored.

Q & A

What is the definition of ethics according to Loui Pojman and James Fieser?

Ethics is defined as the branch of philosophy that deals with how we ought to live, focusing on the concepts of right and wrong, as well as the idea of the good.

How is ethics different from morality?

Ethics is prescriptive and focuses on what people should do, offering universal guidance on right and wrong. Morality, on the other hand, is descriptive and refers to the actual beliefs, customs, and practices held by individuals or cultures about right and wrong.

What does the word 'ought' mean in the context of ethics?

The word 'ought' refers to the idea of what should be done, indicating that ethics is a normative or prescriptive approach to human behavior.

What is the role of ethics in determining right and wrong?

Ethics prescribes what should be right and wrong, based on ethical theories and frameworks that provide guidance on moral actions.

How is morality influenced by factors such as religion, culture, and community?

Morality is shaped by individual beliefs, customs, and practices, which are often influenced by one's religion, culture, and the values of their community.

What is the difference between 'descriptive morality' and 'prescriptive ethics'?

'Descriptive morality' refers to the actual beliefs and practices of individuals or cultures regarding right and wrong, while 'prescriptive ethics' focuses on what should be considered right or wrong universally.

What example is provided to illustrate the difference between ethics and morality?

The example of Anna is used, where she believes it's morally acceptable to tell a white lie to spare her friend's feelings. This reflects her personal morality. However, ethics, as per Immanuel Kant, would argue that lying is universally wrong, regardless of the intent.

What would Immanuel Kant say about lying in the case of Anna's belief?

Immanuel Kant would argue that lying is universally wrong, no matter the reason, and therefore, Anna's belief that lying is acceptable would not be ethically acceptable according to Kant's philosophy.

What is the meaning of the terms 'ethos' and 'mores' in relation to ethics and morality?

The term 'ethos' comes from Greek, referring to custom or character, and is related to ethics. The term 'mores' comes from Latin, also meaning custom or behavior, and is associated with morality.

What will be discussed in the next video of the series?

The next video will cover a brief history of ethics as a branch of philosophy, including some of the earliest philosophical questions about ethics and morality.