Transcript Lesson 2 – Ethics - The Engquist Teachers

Lesson 2 – Ethics
Pages 369-376
Table of Contents
[Lesson 2 – Ethics]
• Moral relativism (continued) p. 367-371
– Does relativism imply tolerance? P. 369-370
– Arguments against moral relativism p. 370-371
• Self-interest theory p. 371-375
– The definitional argument p. 372
– The evolutionary argument p. 373
– The hidden benefits argument p. 373-374
– The fear of punishment argument p. 375
Does relativism imply tolerance?
• It seems to be open-minded and tolerant but
is it?
• However it can easily lead to cultural
imperialism – where one culture pushes it’s
customs or values onto another culture.
• Example: Spanish Conquistadors
• Therefore universal tolerance is NOT
consistent with moral relativsim
Does relativism imply tolerance?
(continued)
• Why is moral relativism inconsistent with
universal tolerance?
– A consistent relativist would allow cultural
imperialism.
– However on the other hand if you choose to say
that cultural imperialism should not be allowed
than you are claiming that there is a universal
value which exists – tolerance.
• Remember that moral relativism states that
there are NO UNIVERSAL VAULES.
Arguments Against Moral Relativism
• 1st: There are core values that are accepted
among all cultures
– However there is the problem that throughout history
most cultures have not had much concern for
“outsiders.”
• 2nd: There are some core values which we can
argue are intuitively obvious.
– For example most cultures agree that it’s obviously
bad to inflict needless pain (torture) or suffering on
others.
– It’s difficult to agree on what is “intuitively obvious”
though.
Self-Interest Theory
• It is the idea that humans are selfish and greedy.
– Opposes altruism
– The theory says humans are “always” and
“everywhere” greedy and self-centered.
• There are four arguments which support this
theory:
–
–
–
–
The “Definitional Argument”
The “Evolutionary Argument”
The “Hidden Benefits Argument”
The “Fear of Punishment Argument”
The Definitional Argument
• It is true that humans are always selfish because
they must be
• People always do what they want to do.
• In other words, if people do something that is
unpleasing, they are doing it because they feel
guilt or obligation – it’s not because they are
being altruistic.
• Altruism – the idea of being good or doing right
for the sake of being good. An altruistic person
seeks no rewards from being good.
The Definitional Argument
(Criticisms)
• It removes the meaning of the words “selfish” and
“altruistic” and makes them the same.
• So these words now have no power and that is a
problem
• We should distinguish between “self-regarding desires”
and “other regarding desires.”
• “Self-regarding desires” are things that directly benefit
the individual with some kind of immediate reward.
• “Other-regarding desires” are things that directly
benefit another person most immediately and not the
individual.
The Evolutionary Argument
• Due to Evolution (by Natural Selection),
humans are naturally selfish.
• We are programmed (our DNA) this way for
survival.
• This is why capitalism has been so successful
(as a political system) – because it takes
advantage of our natural “greediness.”
The Evolutionary Argument
(Criticisms)
• Evidence exists showing that empathy (caring
for others) is in our DNA too.
• Compassion and empathy exist because they
are essential for mothers and fathers to take
care of their children.
• This is so that the species can survive.
• I watched a nature show recently where a
mother Cheetah attacked a male lion so that
the lion wouldn’t find her cubs (babies).
The Hidden Benefits Argument
• There are rewards for being altruistic
– Gratitude (people who are grateful)
– Praise and compliments
– It gives a positive image
• Murderous Texas cheerleader Mom
• Martyr – somebody who dies for an important cause.
– Example 1: Martin Luther King Jr. – died for the cause of Black Civil
Rights in America
– Example 2: September 11, 2001 the airplane hijackers that crashed
airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York saw themselves as
martyrs and believed they would go to heaven.
– Example 3: Jet Li’s character in the movie “Hero.” He sacrifices his life
because he believes in the end of the movie that unification and peace
are more important than his wish to assassinate the Emperor.
The Hidden Benefits Argument
(criticisms)
• Sometimes when we help others it is done for
no reward.
• Example 1: Tipping
• Example 2: French people who helped Jews
hide during the Second World War
• Example 3: Shindler’s List, a movie based on
the life of Oskar Shindler who saved the lives
of hundreds of Jewish people. He took great
risks and got nothing in return.
The Fear of Punishment Argument
• What if I get caught doing something wrong?
• Will I be punished?
• This “fear of punishment” makes us behave in
an ethical manner.
• Example: The Montreal Police strike in 1969
The Fear of Punishment Argument
(Criticisms)
• Not all good behavior is motivated by fear
• Mother Theresa did not face any punishments
as an explanation for her behavior.
• Even if you had a ring of invisibility, such as
the Ring of Gyges, you would not do certain
things.