Transcript What is Philosophy? What is Ethics?

The Ethical is Personal:
Ethics Every Day:
Home, Work, World
UNIV 300I – Fall 2006
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Kathleen Lacey, Professor of Legal Studies
in Business
Julie Van Camp, Professor of Philosophy
Graduate Assistants:
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Carlos Brocatto
Debraun Ellis
What is Philosophy?
What is Ethics?
Philosophy
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Big picture questions
Broad perspectives and
connections
Implicit assumptions: what’s
between the lines?
Good reasoning: “critical
thinking”
Close examination of key terms
and concepts
Philosophical Questions
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Metaphysics: nature of reality
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Epistemology: theory of knowledge
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What is real?
What exists?
What do we know?
How do we know it?
Value theory: meaning of “good”
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In human behavior (ethics)
In art
Philosophical Theories:
Purposes
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Explanation of puzzling
phenomenon in the human
experience
Definition of key terms,
concepts
Interconnectedness of
human knowledge and
experience
What is learned in
a philosophy course?
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Knowledge, information
Skills: philosophical inquiry and
analysis, critical thinking, good
reasoning
Attitudes, tendencies: openmindedness, considering all sides
of an issue, emphasis on
reasoning not dogma
What is learned
in an ethics course?
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Identifying ethical problems
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Considering alternative solutions
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Examining reasoning in support of
different conclusions
Applying competing ethical
theories to a problem
Applied/Organizational Ethics
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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
Ukleja Center
for Ethical Leadership
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Three primary missions
Education:
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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
Examples of Multi-disciplinary
Issues
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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
What is NOT learned
in an ethics class?
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Dogmas
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Preaching
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Propaganda
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“Right answers”
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Simplistic rules for
conduct
Good Reasoning
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Carefully examine key terms and concepts
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Consider clarity and consistency of reasons
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Make explicit the reasons or evidence that are the
basis for conclusions
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Consider alternative viewpoints
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Hypotheticals: “what if” questions
Philosophical vs. Legal Method
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Similarities:
Emphasis on clear, consistent reasoning
 Focus on clarity in the meanings of terms
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Differences:
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Source and validity of knowledge
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Appeals to authority
Purpose of reasoning
Study questions for all reading
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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?
What can you do
with philosophy?
What can you do
without it!
How to Study
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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!