T.O.K Ethics essay 1 - Plan

Can we know for certain what is right or wrong?

Introduction

• The title implies that we undergo moral reasoning to decide what is right or wrong
• We appeal to a commonly agreed moral principle for example “cheating is wrong”
• Consistency in moral principles is not always easy and there are many reasons for this

This essay will consider to what extent it is possible to be certain what is right or wrong and examine the reasons for inconsistency in ethics

Moral relativism

• The society in which we grew up can determine our values (give examples of views on adultery/polygamy in different cultures)
• We do have shared humane values (emotion/intuition) such as limitation of violence and protection of property.
• Reflected in laws of the land (but laws vary – examples of cannabis legality – indigenous population view of what is a crime and what is acceptable – capital punishment – legalised murder)
• So ethical relativism exists across cultures and laws. Statement “murder is wrong” – medical ethics; grey areas such as abortion and euthanasia

Moral absolutes

• Attempts to know what is right/wrong through theories and logic.

Kant – can tell if it the right thing by using generalisation argument (what if everyone did it?) if the answer is chaos in society then it’s the wrong choice. Moral absolutes aren’t reliable – lying is wrong as if everyone lied society would fall apart but sometimes a lie can be justified

Utilitarianism – you should do whatever causes the maximum happiness to the greatest number. However does not take into account individual rights and lays great store by happiness and pleasure (trolley problem/medical quandaries)

• You should do what is of benefit to you (self-interest theory) but does not take into account altruism or empathy
• Religion sets out moral absolutes which can form a moral code but religious moral codes do not take into account the change of views/increased tolerance (homosexuality, place of women in society, female priests/bishops)  

Historical perspective – what was a crime in early/mid -20^th century no longer a crime (suffragettes, homosexuality)

Conclusion

Our personal knowledge and intuition may help us form ethical opinions and we may use reason as well. Differs from person to person and culture to culture. Even though we may have shared core values these cannot be absolute. Cultural and legal differences, historical perspective and religious differences cause ethical variation. Moral absolutism is not possible