Chapter 1 Day 1
Notes & Vocab


Difference between Right & Wrong is not
always easy to determine
How do people distinguish Right & Wrong?
◦
◦
◦
◦
Rules that have been learned
Conscience
Feelings, Opinions & Beliefs
Laws

The values that govern a society’s attitude
toward right and wrong
◦ A person who lives by certain social values is moral
◦ One who does not is immoral
◦ One who doesn’t care is amoral


Where do your morals come from?
Name some sources.

Attempts to develop the means for
determining what moral values should be
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Moral Philosophy
Different for different cultures
Recommending & Defending
Politics
Professional & Personal Conduct


Nathan comes from a poor family, while Erin’s
family is wealthy. Nathan believes Erin has more
money than she needs. Erin leaves her purse at her
seat in the cafeteria unattended and Nathan steals
her cash out of her purse. Nathan defended
himself by saying that he needs the money more
than Erin right now and she can go get more
money from her family whenever she needs it.
How do you feel about the situation? Consider
morality, ethics and the law.




How actions affect others in society
Making an ethical decision because it would
benefit a greater number of people than it
would hurt
The greater the good that results, the more
ethical
The greater amount of bad that results, the
more unethical
◦ Amounts or levels of Positive or Negative
Consequences

Elaine knows that half of her classmates cheated on
their last exam. The teacher mistakenly identifies
an innocent student as the only one that cheated.
Elaine decides that the greatest good for the
greatest number would be to not tell on her
classmates.

Is this an appropriate application of The
Greatest Good principle?

Identify some consequences?


With a partner or small group come up with a
situation where “The Greatest Good” principle
is applied correctly in society.
Depict the situation in your journal
◦ 4-6 sentences, share on Thursday & Friday (15 pts)

Review:
◦ The more it helps, the more ethical
◦ The more it hurts, the less ethical or unethical
◦ Consider consequences to multiple people






“Do unto others as you would have them to
do unto you.”
Often identified with Christianity, but many
religions across the world embrace it
Buddhism: “Hurt not others with that which
pains thyself.”
Empathy
◦ Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
Respects the dignity and worth of individuals
Those who wish to be treated with respect
must first learn to respect others


Steve is a good pitcher for the WH baseball
team. But, he is having a bad game against
Central. Out of frustration after giving up a
homerun, Steve beans the next batter in the
head. The umpire then ejects Steve from the
game.
What should the WH coach do?

We have discussed 3 ways to make ethical
decisions:
1. Opinions, beliefs, feelings
2. Greatest Good
3. Golden Rule
If everyone acted by these 3 ways of making
moral and ethical decisions would there be
any need for the law? Why or why not?

◦
Consider human nature.


Morals and Ethics tell us what we should do
The law is needed because people don’t
always do what they should!

Consists of rules of conduct established by
the government of a society to maintain
stability and justice

Defines legal rights and duties of the people

Provides a means of enforcing those rights through
◦
◦
◦
◦
Law Enforcement
Courts
Legislature
Regulatory Agencies



Since the law is made by people it is
imperfect
Legislators and judges bring their own
opinions on morality and ethics to the
lawmaking and enforcing process
Therefore, Ethics and the Law will sometimes
conflict





Federal and State Constitutions
English Common Law
Statutes
Court Decisions
Administrative Law