| Does the following hypothetical scenario illustrate immoral or illegal behavior? |
| You see someone drowning and calling desperately for help. You simply look on and make no effort to help. |
| Immoral? | Illegal?
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| Does the following hypothetical scenario illustrate immoral or illegal behavior? |
| Country X has imposed a night curfew on teenagers to try to curb teen violence. You, a teenager, venture out after curfew hours. |
| Immoral? | Illegal?
|
| Does the following hypothetical scenario illustrate immoral or illegal behavior? |
| In February 1997 the Roslin Institute in Scotland reported that it had cloned a sheep, Dolly. Is cloning a human: |
| Immoral? | Illegal?
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| Is being ethical the same as: |
- Following our feelings?
- Being religious?
- Following the law?
- Doing whatever our society accepts?
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| Four Ethical Philosophies |
- Pragmatism: Reality is a process. Nothing is always good or always bad. The end justifies the means. Value is measured by what is of practical benefit to society.
- Existentialism: Reality is defined by each individual who chooses his/her own truth. Value is measured by what an individual responsibly chooses as good.
- Idealism: Reality is based on ideas. Ethical action is based on duty, moral imperatives and absolutes. You must never lie. Value is measured by conformity to ideas.
- Realism: Reality exists in the material object, not in the immaterial mind. Ethical actions follows what is natural. Value is measured by conformity to nature.
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| Can Ethics Be Taught? |
Research in field of moral development (Kohlberg)
- Young adults experience dramatic changes in their 20's and 30's in problem-solving strategies used to deal with ethical issues.
- These changes are linked to changes in how a person perceives society & his/her role in society.
- Amount of change is related to number of years in formal education at college.
- Formal education to influence awareness of moral problems & to influence reasoning process is effective.
- Person's behavior is influenced by his/her moral perception and moral judgements.
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