Ethics

THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT ETHICAL ISSUES

Chapter One

Why do we need ethics?

If laws are enforced, what need have we of further rules?

1. (3) How does the author describe ethics? Moral relativism?

2. What is the author’s critique of moral relativism?

3. (4) Cite and comment upon Samuel Johnson’s statement.

4. How does the author explain the consequences of late 20th century moral

relativism?

5. What is “absolutophobia”? Discuss the two cases cited.

Why Do We Need Ethics If We Have Laws?

6. What is the “proper focus: of laws?

7. (5) What two “new” things cause changes in laws, AND cite / discuss the three examples given.

Ethics Defined

8. (6) On what is ethics based?

9. What is normative ethics? Metaethics?

10. What is the focus of ethics?

11. What does an ethicist do?

12. What is an ethical system?

13. On what is the authority of an ethicist based?

14. (7) What other major factor does an ethicist consider in assessing culpability (what is

this?)?

Ethics and Religious Belief

15. Describe the author’s position on the relation of religion to ethics.

16. What is the requirement for ethical discourse (what is this?), AND what distinction

is made regarding religion?

(9) The Need for Ethics

17. Why do we have laws?

18. Discuss the three example cases: Voodoo/Santeria, grandparents, the street clown

19. (10) What “more basic need” does ethics serve?

Preliminary Guidelines

20. What is the “basic problem” in ethical judgment?

21. (11) State the author’s 5 suggested guidelines.

Making Discussion Meaningful

22. State the author’s 8 “pointers.”

CHAPTER TWO: THE ROLE OF THE MAJORITY VIEW

1. If the majority decides that a particular action is right, does that make it right?

2. What is the author’s...