Transcript Introduction to Ethical Arguments

Introduction to Ethical
Arguments
Scott Hale
English 1213
Definitional Arguments:

Basis of All Knowledge/Communication
Argue that Item X belongs in Category
Y
 Scooter (X) is a murderer (Y)

Evaluative Arguments:
The next step in
Knowledge/Communication
 Having defined an item--X is a Y
 We then evaluate that item--X is a
good/bad Y…
 The War Room (X) is an excellent
documentary (Y)
 Evaluations depend upon definitions

Ethical Arguments
The next step in
Knowledge/Communication
 Having defined and evaluated an item,
we assess it’s inherent worth--the value
of its being


But just because something is good,
does this mean it’s right?
Question of Purpose
In evaluative arguments our evaluation
of an item stems from the purpose of
that item,
 Nike is a good shoe because it
effectively covers your feet…

But in Ethical Arguments…
The purpose differs...
 If we discover that third-world labor
markets are economically and
physically exploited in making Nike
shoes…
 Is it right to make (or even to own) Nike
products?
 The purpose is now one of political and
human rights, not covering one’s feet.

Requirements for
Ethical Arguments:
Just like evaluations require
comparison/contrast between items
within the same category/genus, so to
do different ethical systems
 AND...
 Ethical Arguments must be couched in
ethical terms….
 Right vs. Wrong; Moral vs. Immoral

Toulmin Schema:
C: Slavery is wrong
 R: b/c it violates human rights
 G: Slavery violates human rights; Ev:
Support that slavery violates HR
 W: Any practice that violates human
rights is wrong
 B: Support of ethical system

Different Ethical Systems…
Of all value arguments, Ethical
arguments are the least stable in
Backing
 Because we have different ways of
determining right from wrong

Naïve Egoism
Right vs. Wrong determined by how it
affects a given individual or particular
group of individuals
 It is wrong to hit Michelle because she
is a woman
 Operates under the belief that I am #1
 But how many #1s can there be?

Consequentialism
Right vs. Wrong determined by the
outcome of an action and whether it has
positive or negative consequences
 It is wrong to hit Michelle b/c it willhurt
 Operates under a utilitarian framework
where we seek to provide the greatest
good for the greatest number
 OR the ends justify the means

Principlism
Right vs. Wrong determined not by
outcome of action, but by the action
itself, whether it conforms to or upholds
a belief or principle
 It is wrong to hit Michelle b/c it violates
the Golden Rule
 But what happens if two principles come
into conflict…?
