ETHC445 Principles of Ethics
Week 1 Discussion
Study of Ethics
The study of ethics brings together many kinds of thinkers. Most people agree on some basics about human behavior (see Aristotle’s appeals to moderation in his virtue ethics in our lesson this week as an example). But we also understand that there is no one system of ethics that is totally correct. In this session, we will be examining not only how specific philosophical systems and professional codes of ethics are created and followed, but also how we develop and act on our own “moral,” personal systems of ethics. How we reveal our moral principles.
Ethics is a foundation for (but not identical to) law, which is constructed on moral principles. So let’s begin there! Answer one of the following questions (or, if you begin posting later in the week, respond to your classmates’ posts).
Do we need ethics if we have laws? Why or why not?
Should governments legislate ethics? Why or why not?
Is there a universal code of ethics that applies to all humans?
How does Aristotle’s virtue ethics (Links to an external site.) download (Links to an external site.) mirror–or not–your ethical view?
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