Moral Philosophy
Moral Guidance to Ethical Decisions
Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)
Establish courts/legal system to ensure people obey the laws
Do not eat an alive animal
Do not steal
Do not have illicit sexual relations
Do not murder
Do not execrate God
Do not deny God
The Ten Commandments (Christian)
You shouldn't covet your neighbors things and desire their belongings.
Don't lie behind people's back
You should not steal
You should not commit adultery
You should not kill
Obey your parents and honor your parents, so that you might live long in the land that God will give you
You should remember the sabbath and take it holy. You are meant to work six days and rest on the seventh. You should not work, nor your son
Don't take the Lord your God's name but in vain; the Lord will not forgive someone who does that.
You shouldn’t make any gods, or idols, or images like those in the sky. You shouldn’t bow down to any of these.
Don't have any other Gods before me
The Ten Commandments (Islam)
Follow the straight path of God
Fulfill your promises
Whenever you speak be even
Grant full measure and weight in all fairness
Protect the orphans' property
Do not kill any person whom God has forbidden except through due process of law
Do not indulge in shameful acts whether openly or secretly:
Do not kill your children because of the fear of poverty
Be kind to your parents
Do not associate anything with him
Anishnaabe 7 Grandfather teachings
Humility (Dibaadendiziwin)
Generosity (Miigwe’aadiziwin)
Wisdom (Nibwaakawin)
Bravery (Aakodewewin)
Truth (Debwewin)
Love (Zaagidiwin)
Respect (Minwaadendamowin)
Classical Ethics Philosophy
Aristotle
Happiness is an activity rather than a goal, and is present when we behave ethically
Moderation/ golden mean is key to happiness
Humans become ethical individuals as a result of two major influences:
Habits that we develop
Knowledge that we acquire
Humans must examine the behavior of people surrounding them to have a sense of moral/ ethical behavior
Epicureanism
Not every person acts with their own interests in mind. Some people act for the benefit of others and instead of their own happiness and well-being.
It is important to live moderately, like Aristotle's ideals
Enjoy life while you can, the goal is simply pleasure
You have no reason outside your own self to motivate or explain life. Therefore, the response to life was to enjoy it while one can.
Cynicism
The true answer to life would be found within oneself
They rejected society and advocated a simplistic lifestyle
They believed that social institution such as government, property,marriage and religious could not provide answer to life
The Cynics rejected all luxury in favor
of living a frugal and minimalist life
Stoicism
Our reactions must be predetermined as well
Therefore the only thing human being can control is how we react to different things and events
All things are predetermined including human actions
Because we have close to no control over external events or other's actions/ behavior
Plato
Knowledge creates ethical behavior, while ignorance unethical behavior
Believed that each human is made up of 3 elements:
Intellect
Spirit
Physical Body
ethics, or virtue, was valuable for the person, despite
consequences
Many people would continue to be ethical and do the right thing even if others didn't know
people are not willingly good, but behave ethically only for what reward
they will receive as a result
Medical Ethics
Equality or justice
We must ensure no one is unfairly disadvantaged when it comes to healthcare.
Do not harm/ Non-malefience
A medical practitioner makes a promise to do no harm, or to allow harm to be caused.
Confidentiality
Unauthorized disclosure of a patient’s health information is not allowed without that person’s consent.
Beneficence
Medical practitioners have a moral duty to promote the course of action they believe is in the best interest of their patient.
Autonomy
A patient is ultimately responsible for their own treatment decisions.
Eastern Ethical Theories
Confucius
There should be a benevolence among rulers, and a loyalty among the subjects.
There should be consideration among the elders, and deference among the juniors.
There should be obedient behaviour in the wife and righteous behaviour in the husband.
The eldest brother should have esteem for the younger brother, and the younger brother should have humility for the elder brother.
There should be kindness in the father, obedience and respect in the son.
Hindu
Dharma: Guides people on how to live life better
Live life better through meditation and yoga
Law of Karma
Individual souls are eternal through reincarnation or birth
All things are determined
Reality is one, but different religious teachers speak of it differently
Vedas
Goal of life
Buddhism
Pancha Shila
Avoid lying or any hurtful speech
Avoid sexual irresponsibility
Avoid stealing, taking what is not yours
Avoid killing, harming any living thing
