AOK: Ethics

Introduction (Taken from The IB TOK Guide)

Is there such a thing as moral knowledge? Does the rightness or wrongness of an action depend on the situation? Are all moral opinions equally valid? Is there such a thing as a moral fact? 

One thing often said to distinguish humans from other animals is morality. A key question in ethical discussions in TOK is therefore whether we can really know whether something is moral. What is peculiar about moral values is that they seem to embody obligations for action. 

An example of a key area of discussion in ethics is the issue of moral rules. There is disagreement about whether being moral is about following rules, not least because some would question whether moral rules really exist at all. There is also debate about whether moral rules should ever be broken, and if so, in what circumstances. Other key areas of discussion include the issue of whether humans are essentially altruistic or selfish, or whether the consequences of, or motivation for, an action is the location of moral value. 

Theories of Ethics:

Ethical Dilemmas:

MORAL RELATIVISM - There are no universal values; our values are determined by our upbringing or society.

• Can we say there are values which are universally wrong or right?

• What arguments can we use to justify universal moral principles?

Activity: watch the videos below. Can the historical/cultural context justify these?