1. Moral Philosophy:

"A favorite theory is a possession for life." (William hazlitt)

1.1. Definition:

Moral philosophy is the study of the values and guidelines by which we live, as well as the justification of these values and guidelines.

2. Two traditional subdivisions

2.1.Applied or normative ethics:

Applied or normative ethics is concerned with the study of the values and guidelines which we live.

2.2.Theoretical ethics, or metaethics:

Theoretical ethics, or metaethics is concerned with the justification of these values and guidelines.

3. Moral reasoning

3.1.Moral reasoning is the skill, which is involved in the justification.

 

4.The purpose of Moral theories:

4.1.To set a foundation for discussing moral issues

4.1.1. A theory is a conceptual framework for explaining a set of facts or concepts. It explains which a certain action is wrong and why we ought to act in certain ways…

4.1.2. A good theory should be able to explain the whole range or scope of morality, not just particular types of actions.

4.2. To offer guidance for thinking about and resolving moral issues

                4.2.1. Like maps, not all the theories are equally good. A good "map" will lead us reach                      our destination with the lease amount wrong turns and aggravation.

4.3.To provide us with a framework for discussing real-life moral issues.

 

5. Two types of moral theories

5.1.Ethical relativism

.Ethical relativist moral theories state that morality is different for different people, it is created by people

5.1.1. Cultural relativism: Morality is relative to societal norms

5.1.2. Ethical subjectivism: Morality is relative to the individual and is different for every person depending on what they feel.

5.2 Universalist or objectivist

Universalist or objectivist moral theories state that there are fundamental, objective moral principles and values that are universally true for all people, independent of their personal beliefs or culture

 

6. Moral Disagreement

6.1. Disagreement and objective moral principles

That people disagree does not mean there are no objective moral principles.

6.2. The causes of moral disagreement

6.2.1. People may be mistaken about their facts.

6.2.2. Natural conditions and religious beliefs influence the expression of a particular moral value.

6.2.3. People rank or prioritize them differently.

6.2.4. People hold different moral values.

7. Moral Approach to Practical Problems:

7.1.The approach is prescriptive that is, it issues in prescription, such as "do this" and "don’t do that."

7.2.The approach’s prescriptions are acceptable to everyone affected by them.

7.3. The moral approaches involved in this course:

Western Eastern

--Utilitarian -- Daoist

--Kantian --Buddhist

--Aristotelian --Confucianist