1. In defining ethical behavior: Aristotle focused on the actor Kant focused on the action Mill focused on the consequences of the action
2. Aristotle384-322 BC Aristotle focused on the study of character His premise is that people should achieve an excellent character (a virtuous character, "ethikēaretē" in Greek) as a pre-condition for attaining happiness or well-being (eudaimonia).
3. Aristotle believed that ethical knowledge is not only a theoretical knowledge, but practical. People must have "experience of the actions in life" and have been "brought up in fine habits" to become good. For a person to become virtuous, he can't simply study what virtue is, but must actually do virtuous things.
5. Golden Mean Aristotle argued that each of the moral virtues was a mean (Golden Mean) between two corresponding vices.
6. Virtues Prudence/Wisdom (exercising sound judgment in practical affairs.) Justice (proper moderation between self-interest and the rights and needs of others) Courage (the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation) Temperance (practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation)
7. Moral virtue, or excellence of character, concerns what we do voluntarily, and not what we do because we are forced to do so.
8. Immanuel Kant (Deontology)1724-1804 The basis of moral action is duty. When we exercise the goodwill to decide to follow our duty, then our actions have moral value. We shouldn’t treat people as a means to an end, but as ends in themselves. “Certain actions are right or wrong regardless of the consequences.”
9. John Stewart Mill (Teleology)1806-1873 Utilitarianism is a focus on what will bring pleasure to the greatest number and freedom from pain. The rightness or wrongness of actions is determined by the goodness or badness of their consequences.
10. The common good—an essential ethical concept means “the welfare of all citizens, rather than that of factions or special interests, should be served impartially.”(Clifford Christians)
11. Intentions For actions to be considered ethical, the decision maker must intend no harm to the parties affected by the decision. We must also consider possible unintended consequences of our actions
13. Congruence The importance of finding a sense of harmony between your personal values and characteristics, and the values and duties associated with your career.
14. Ethical dilemmas Truth vs. loyalty Individual vs. community Short term vs. long term Justice vs. mercy
15. Egypt: "This is the most profound situation in the Middle East since I left office” (Jimmy Carter) Al Jazeera live coverage ABC News coverage AP raw footage