Transcript Human ambivalence - Riversidecommunity

Human ambivalence
Moral Dilemma

You are a passenger in a car driven by a close friend. He hits a
pedestrian. You know he was going at least 35 miles per hour in
an area of the city where the maximum speed allowed is 20 miles
per hour. There are no witnesses. His lawyer says that if you are
prepared to testify under oath that he was only driving at 20 miles
per hour it may save him from serious consequences.
Would you help your friend?
(a) I would lie and say he went at 20 miles per hour.
(b) I would not lie.
Did the pedestrian die?
What is human ambivalence?

Ambivalence is the uncertainty felt by people
towards an issue, object or idea.

Human ambivalence is the many
contradictory attitudes and feelings present
throughout humanity on certain issues.
ex: What is good or evil? Who is right or wrong?
What is…

Ethics: A set of moral principles of right and wrong
determines

Morality: The goodness or badness of an action or
behaviour.

Etiquette: Correct practices or behaviour according
to social conventions.
Examples…

Ethics:


Consequentialism: "The ends justify the means“
the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would like to be done to
you”

Morality: “giving is moral, stealing is immoral, keeping
is amoral”

Etiquette: no chewing gum, burping, wearing a hat at
the table
Values

… are what we value. A value system is what we
place in order of importance.
Canadian values:
“Peace, order and
good government”
(British North American
Act, 1867)
American values:
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness”
(United States Declaration of
Independence, 1776)
Heritage Regional High School
The importance of Values

We judge and interpret moral events based on
the values we have.
Ex:
• abortion (choice vs. life)
• slavery (power vs. equality)
Where do values come from?



These values are supplied at birth, and are
extended by experience and upbringing.
After seven years, these values start forming the
child’s personality. This then forms their
behaviour and shapes their beliefs.
Some of these beliefs, which constitute the
morality of an individual, can not be changed by
reason or experience. It is part of their character.
Morality and Society

A well-defined personal and cultural value
system is a moral code.

Therefore, we base morality on our values, both
as a society and as individuals.
Examples

Islamic Courts
Examples

Traditional Japanese Confucianism
Examples (Honor)

Blood feuds in Albania

Honor killings in India
Universalism vs. relativism

Moral universalism: A universal system of
moral law applies to everyone, regardless of
culture, race, religion or nationality.

Moral relativism: Moral or ethical propositions
are NOT universal. Like etiquette, they depend on
social, cultural and historical circumstances.
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
Three types of questions
1.
Literal questions test the lowest level of
understanding. It involves reading exactly what
is on the page and giving back facts or details.
Ex: John has a red car.
What color is his car?
a. Red.
b. Blue c. Black
Three types of questions
2.
Application questions. These are questions
that test your ability to apply knowledge.
ex. In China, Taiwan, and much of the Far East, belching is
considered a compliment to the chef and a sign that you have
eaten well and enjoyed your meal. This is not the case in North
America.
Is this…
A. moral principle?
B. a law?
C. a rule of etiquette?
Three types of questions
3. Interpetive/critical thinking questions. These are
questions requiring one to “read between the
lines.” To answer, one must interpret the
evidence given to them and form thoughtful
conclusions.
Ex. Is moral universalism valid? Explain why.