ADDIS ABABA

UNIVERSITY
MORAL AND CIVICS INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

SUBJECT CODE: MCED 1011

NAME: ISMAEL SEID
STUDENT ID: UGR/1296/17
LECTURER NAME: Andargachew T.
LEARNING CENTRE: CHLSJC Section 2
SUBMISSION DATE: Dec 26, 2024

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Table of Contents
Chapter three......................................................................................................................................3
Ethical decision making and moral judgments...............................................................3
Chapter introduction...............................................................................................................................3
3.1: How Can We Make Ethical Decisions and Actions?..............................................................................4
3.1.1: Ethical Principles and Values of Moral Judgments.........................................................................4
3.1.1.1: Rules Governing Moral Behavior............................................................................................4
3.1.1.2: Moral Intuitions and Critical Reasoning..................................................................................4
3.1.1.3: Testing Moral Arguments.......................................................................................................5
3.1.1.4. Thinking Ethically: A framework for Moral Decision Making..................................................5
3.2 To Whom or What Does Morality Apply?..............................................................................................6
3.3. Who is Morally/Ethically Responsible?.................................................................................................6
3.3.2. What Makes an Action Moral?..................................................................................................6
3.4. Why Should Human Beings Be Moral?.................................................................................................6
3.5 Brief Recap of the Unit..........................................................................................................................7

Chapter three
Ethical decision making and moral
judgments

Chapter introduction
Ethical decision making involves resolving conflicts between desires and moral principles,
helping individuals and societies achieve harmony. Morality serves as a framework to guide
actions, distinguishing right from wrong based on established standards. This chapter explores

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the process of making ethical decisions, the philosophical principles underlying morality, and its
application in human relationships.
It aims to answer fundamental questions about moral judgments and their relevance to
individual and societal well-being. Ethical dilemmas often arise from conflicting notions of
"good" and "bad," as well as "right" and "wrong." Morality, as discussed in this chapter, is a tool
for analyzing values and making decisions that consider the complexities of human
relationships. It focuses on the balance between individual autonomy, societal norms, and the
intrinsic worth of human life, fostering understanding and cooperation.
Additionally, ethical reasoning evaluates the justifications for actions and their impacts. While
ethical problems are nuanced and rarely have definitive solutions, the process provides critical
tools to analyze dilemmas collaboratively, ensuring decisions align with shared moral principle.

3.1: How Can We Make Ethical Decisions and Actions?

Ethical decision-making is complicated by conflicts between what is considered “right” or
“wrong” and the practical realities of social interactions. Decisions are influenced by individual
notions of good and bad, which can be divided into:

 Instrumental Good: Valued for its results (e.g., wealth, education).

 Intrinsic Good: Valued not for what they lead to but for what they are. In other
words it is valued for its inherent worth (e.g., love, happiness).
Unethical practices such as corruption, early marriage, and poverty highlight the need for
ethical reasoning. Ethical reasoning requires analyzing values and evaluating reasons behind
actions to ensure they are morally justified.

3.1.1: Ethical Principles and Values of Moral Judgments

3.1.1.1: Rules Governing Moral Behavior
Most people rely on informal “rules of thumb” (e.g., “help those in need”), but life’s
complexities often challenge these notions. Philosophical ethics provides frameworks for
resolving these dilemmas and finding rational solutions.
Examples of such underlying principles or rules might include:
 ‘I should do the best thing for my career in the long run.’
 ‘It is OK to tell someone a lie if it prevents someone from being hurt by the truth.’
 ‘I should always help someone in difficulty.’
3.1.1.2: Moral Intuitions and Critical Reasoning
Ethical reasoning integrates empathy, rational thought, and moral sentiments to form a
conscience. It critically examines societal norms and customs, balancing them with logical
arguments. Key reasoning methods include:

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  Reasoning by Analogy: Comparing similar situations to justify moral actions. For
instance, animals are like and unlike humans, as humans are also animals.
 Deductive Reasoning: Applying universal principles (e.g., human rights) to specific
cases.
 Inductive Reasoning: Using evidence to support conclusions. For example we have a
moral duty to reduce carbon emissions the fact that there is mounting evidence.

Religious faith also plays a role in morality, though some philosophers argue that moral truths
can exist independently of divine commands.
3.1.1.3: Testing Moral Arguments
Three criteria to evaluate moral arguments:

 Factual Accuracy: Is the argument based on reliable facts? Meaning- the accuracy of
the factual content of a discussion is very important.
 Consistency: Are moral judgments applied uniformly? If not it is inconsistent.
 Good Will: Does the argument reflect empathy and sincere intentions
3.1.1.4. Thinking Ethically: A framework for Moral Decision Making
Steps for Resolving Ethical Issues:
- Understand the facts: Essential but often overlooked.
- Appeal to values: Facts alone don't resolve ethical dilemmas; values guide decisions.
The five different approaches to values to deal with moral issues

A. Fairness and Justice approach:

 Based on Aristotle’s principle: Treat equals equally and unequals unequally.
Avoid favoritism and discrimination; fairness is consistent treatment.
 Depending on how well he did this, Aristotle said humans belonged to one of
four categories: the virtuous, the continent, the incontinent and the vicious.
B. The Common Good Approach:
 Society’s welfare depends on shared systems like healthcare, law, and
education. Promotes collective values over individual interests.

The principle of the common good approach states;

“What is ethical is what advances the common good.”

C. The Rights Approach:

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  Grounded in Kantian ethics, emphasizing dignity and autonomy. Key rights:
truth, privacy, freedom from harm, and honoring agreements.
D. Virtues:
 Builds character traits like honesty, courage, and compassion.
E. Utilitarianism (linked):
 Focuses on maximizing overall good by assessing consequences.

Generally, in Ethical Problem Solving;

 Once facts have been ascertained, consider five questions when trying to resolve a
moral issue:
a) What benefits or harms will each action produce?
b) Does it respect individual rights?
c) Is it fair and free of discrimination?
d) Does it advance the common good?
e) Does it foster moral virtues?

3.2 To Whom or What Does Morality Apply?

1. Religious Morality: Centers on relationships with a supernatural being (e.g., Ten
Commandments).
2. Morality and Nature: Ethical consideration of nature as inherently valuable or
beneficial to humanity.
3. Individual Morality: Based on personal conscience rather than societal or religious
rules.
4. Social Morality: Focuses on human interactions within society, often overlapping
with other moral aspects.

3.3. Who is Morally/Ethically Responsible?

Morality’s Scope: Applies only to human beings as moral agents capable of intentional
action.
Judging Actions:
 Motives: Moral worth depends on intent (e.g., Kant’s 'good will').
 Means: Actions should use just and ethical methods.
 Consequences: Morality evaluates the overall impact of actions on others.
3.3.2. What Makes an Action Moral?
 Involves a moral agent with free will.
 Is intentional and deliberate.
 Affects others significantly (positively or negatively).

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 3.4. Why Should Human Beings Be Moral?
Key Arguments:

- Enlightened Self-Interest: Cooperation benefits everyone and ensures mutual respect.

- Tradition and Law: Morality underpins societal rules and customs.

- Common Human Needs: Morality ensures stability, peace, and happiness.

Social Importance:

 Morality prevents societal collapse, reduces suffering, and promotes flourishing.

 Morality is essential for just conflict resolution and orderly societies.

Motivations:

- Self-respect, fear of punishment, societal approval, and religious beliefs often drive moral
behavior.

- Parents and role models influence morality through example.

Hobbesian Perspective:

- Morality ensures collective survival by balancing individual freedoms with societal rules.

3.5 Brief Recap of the Unit

1. Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making
The chapter begins by addressing the complexities of making ethical decisions in everyday life,
highlighting morality’s role in guiding individuals to distinguish between right and wrong. It
explains that morality not only resolves interpersonal conflicts but also establishes principles
that promote peaceful coexistence and collaboration. Ethical theories provide the foundation
for reflecting on moral actions and their underlying principles.
2. Foundations of Ethical Decisions
Ethical decisions are influenced by our understanding of "good" and "bad" as either intrinsic or
instrumental values. Intrinsic goods are valuable in themselves, while instrumental goods are
valued for the results they produce. Ethics involves analyzing and critically assessing values,
often in complex scenarios such as end-of-life care or societal issues, where principles like the
sanctity of life, quality of life, and autonomy become essential considerations.
3. Key Ethical Principles and Reasoning
The chapter explores critical reasoning, including analogical, deductive, and inductive
reasoning, to evaluate moral arguments. It also introduces approaches to ethical decision-

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making, such as fairness, justice, and the common good. Aristotle's and Kant's philosophies
emphasize fairness, happiness, and respect for individual autonomy. Ethical reasoning is not
merely about rules but requires context, reflection, and collaborative resolution of moral
dilemmas.
4. Testing and Evaluating Moral Arguments
Moral arguments are tested using factual accuracy, logical consistency, and goodwill. These
criteria ensure that arguments are well-founded and rational. For instance, the moral
acceptability of actions like capital punishment or euthanasia requires thorough examination of
underlying values, evidence, and ethical justifications. The chapter underscores the importance
of questioning and refining one's ethical stance.
5. Application and Scope of Morality
Morality applies to human actions, guided by motives, means, and consequences. Social
morality—relations between individuals—holds the most significant ethical relevance, while
individual, natural, and religious moralities also play roles. Moral actions must involve
intentionality, affect others, and have significant consequences, distinguishing them from
neutral or non-moral acts like routine daily tasks.