In The First Chapter, We Left Off At The Question Of Ethics
In the The First Chapter We Left Off At the Question Of Ethics Beca
In the the first chapter, we left off at the question of "Ethics" because of its importance. Now, I am asking you to go there, study the meaning of ethics in philosophy, and its difference with religious ethics. Then watch the video provided by Dr. Richard Brown, and answer the following question: 1. What are the three types of of philosophical ethics? Explain them in your own language. Provide examples pertaining to your own life experience. 2. What is the difference between moral relativism, moral absolutism, and sentimentalism? Which philosophers advocated them? You are required to respond to the assignment question posted above with no less than 200words. To support your response you are required to provide at least one supporting reference with proper citation. APA
Paper For Above instruction
The exploration of ethics in philosophy reveals a rich landscape of moral reasoning that significantly differs from religious ethics. Philosophical ethics centers on the rational inquiry into what constitutes right and wrong, independent of religious doctrines, while religious ethics derive moral principles from divine commandments or spiritual beliefs. The distinction is crucial, as philosophical ethics emphasizes human reason and rationality, whereas religious ethics may rely heavily on faith and divine authority (Schneider, 2019).
There are generally three types of philosophical ethics: normative ethics, meta-ethics, and applied ethics. Normative ethics seeks to establish, through rational inquiry, moral standards that guide human behavior. It asks, "What should I do?" For example, in my life, I consider honesty as a normative principle guiding my interactions; I believe that being truthful aligns with moral good. Meta-ethics investigates the nature, origin, and meaning of ethical concepts, examining questions such as, "What do we mean when we say 'good'?" It explores whether moral truths are objective or subjective. For instance, I often ponder whether moral values are inherent or constructed, influencing my understanding of morality. Applied ethics involves applying moral principles to practical issues like healthcare, business, or environmental concerns. An example from my experience is advocating for sustainable practices to address environmental ethics.
Regarding different moral theories, moral relativism asserts that moral judgments are culturally or individual-specific, varying across societies and persons. Moral absolutism, on the other hand, maintains that certain ethical principles are universally valid regardless of context. Sentimentalism emphasizes emotions as the foundation of moral judgments, suggesting that feelings like compassion motivate ethical behavior. Philosophers supporting these views include Ruth Benedict and Melville Harris for moral relativism, Immanuel Kant for moral absolutism, and David Hume for sentimentalism. Kant argued for universal moral laws based on reason, while Hume believed that moral judgments are rooted in emotional responses (Maclagan, 2017).
In conclusion, understanding these ethical frameworks aids in navigating complex moral dilemmas, recognizing that differing perspectives influence moral reasoning and decision-making.
References
- Maclagan, M. (2017). Moral Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge.
- Schneider, C. (2019). Understanding Ethics and Moral Philosophy. Oxford University Press.