Title: The Ethical is Personal: Ethics Every Day: Home, Work, World UNIV 300I
1The Ethical is PersonalEthics Every Day Home,
Work, WorldUNIV 300I Fall 2006
- Kathleen Lacey, Professor of Legal Studies in
Business - Julie Van Camp, Professor of Philosophy
- Graduate Assistants
- Carlos Brocatto
- Debraun Ellis
2What is Philosophy?What is Ethics?
3Philosophy
- Big picture questions
- Broad perspectives and connections
- Implicit assumptions whats between the lines?
- Good reasoning critical thinking
- Close examination of key terms and concepts
4Philosophical Questions
- Metaphysics nature of reality
- What is real?
- What exists?
- Epistemology theory of knowledge
- What do we know?
- How do we know it?
- Value theory meaning of good
- In human behavior (ethics)
- In art
5Philosophical TheoriesPurposes
- Explanation of puzzling phenomenon in the human
experience - Definition of key terms, concepts
- Interconnectedness of human knowledge and
experience
6What is learned in a philosophy course?
- Knowledge, information
- Skills philosophical inquiry and analysis,
critical thinking, good reasoning - Attitudes, tendencies open-mindedness,
considering all sides of an issue, emphasis on
reasoning not dogma
7What is learned in an ethics course?
- Identifying ethical problems
- Considering alternative solutions
- Examining reasoning in support of different
conclusions - Applying competing ethical theories to a problem
8Applied/Organizational Ethics
- Need to cultivate apply ethical
decision-making skills personally/professionally - Ethics is multi-disciplinary
- Ethical decisions frequently involve multiple
stakeholders - Conflicting implications can occur among
stakeholders - Ethical effects of globalization
9Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership
- Three primary missions
- Education
- awarding faculty stipends to include ethics in
courses - Student Leadership Institute
- Research web-based data base on ethical issues
- Tie-in with Global Outsourcing Institute
- University faculty applied research
- Community seminars/programs to constituencies
- Student community service
10Examples of Multi-disciplinary Issues
- Business outsourcing, bribery, financial fraud
- Medical stem cell, assisted suicide, organ
transplant - Engineering product development design
- Political bribery! election fraud, human rights
- Educational plagiarism, student governance
- Computer cybercrimes, music downloading
11What is NOT learned in an ethics class?
- Dogmas
- Preaching
- Propaganda
- Right answers
- Simplistic rules for conduct
12Good Reasoning
- Carefully examine key terms and concepts
- Consider clarity and consistency of reasons
- Make explicit the reasons or evidence that are
the basis for conclusions - Consider alternative viewpoints
- Hypotheticals what if questions
13Philosophical vs. Legal Method
- Similarities
- Emphasis on clear, consistent reasoning
- Focus on clarity in the meanings of terms
- Differences
- Source and validity of knowledge
- Appeals to authority
- Purpose of reasoning
14Study questions for all reading
- What is the major claim or theory or thesis?
- What are the arguments and reasons in favor of
that claim? - What are the arguments and reasons opposed to
that claim?
15 - What can you do
- with philosophy?
- What can you do without it!
16How to Study
- Attend class
- Two hours study for each hour of class
- Close reading of the text before and after class
- Make study outlines of key points
- Take good notes during class and clarify or type
up after class - Ask questions no question too stupid to ask!