Ghillyer EthicsNow IM Ch01
CHAPTER 1
Understanding Ethics
Table of Contents
Chapter Summary and Learning Outcomes 2
Frontline Focus: Doing the Right Thing Questions 3
Learning Outcomes 4
Life Skills 8
Progress Check Questions 9
Ethical Dilemma Case 1.1 – Peer Pressure 13
Ethical Dilemma Case 1.2 – The Overcrowded Lifeboat 14
Frontline Focus: Doing the Right Thing—Megan Makes a Decision Questions 15
Key Terms 16
Review Questions 17
Review Exercises 18
Team Exercises 20
Thinking Critically 22
Chapter Summary
This chapter begins by defining ethics and how people decipher between “right” and “wrong” or “good” and “bad” behavior. It explores how people live their lives according to a standard of “right” or “wrong” behavior and how their personal set of morals are formed. Society plays a role in the traditions and customs that shape the standards or moral set that people adopt. Common standards shared among individuals can be called values or a values system. Some people have different definitions of ethics such as, personal integrity, rules of appropriate individual behavior, rules of appropriate behavior for a community or society, and some define ethics as simply “doing the right thing.” The Golden Rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto you—is also a goal of living an ethical life by some. There are also some ethical theories discussed, which are divided into three categories: virtue ethics, ethics for the greater good, and universal ethics. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on ethical relativism, applied ethics, ethical dilemmas, and how to resolve these situations.
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Define ethics.
2. Explain the role of values in ethical decision-making.
3. Understand opposing ethical theories and their limitations.
4. Discuss ethical relativism.
5. Explain an ethical dilemma and apply a process to resolve it.
Extended Chapter Outline
Note: Key terms are in boldface.
Frontline Focus
Doing the
Understanding Ethics
Table of Contents
Chapter Summary and Learning Outcomes 2
Frontline Focus: Doing the Right Thing Questions 3
Learning Outcomes 4
Life Skills 8
Progress Check Questions 9
Ethical Dilemma Case 1.1 – Peer Pressure 13
Ethical Dilemma Case 1.2 – The Overcrowded Lifeboat 14
Frontline Focus: Doing the Right Thing—Megan Makes a Decision Questions 15
Key Terms 16
Review Questions 17
Review Exercises 18
Team Exercises 20
Thinking Critically 22
Chapter Summary
This chapter begins by defining ethics and how people decipher between “right” and “wrong” or “good” and “bad” behavior. It explores how people live their lives according to a standard of “right” or “wrong” behavior and how their personal set of morals are formed. Society plays a role in the traditions and customs that shape the standards or moral set that people adopt. Common standards shared among individuals can be called values or a values system. Some people have different definitions of ethics such as, personal integrity, rules of appropriate individual behavior, rules of appropriate behavior for a community or society, and some define ethics as simply “doing the right thing.” The Golden Rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto you—is also a goal of living an ethical life by some. There are also some ethical theories discussed, which are divided into three categories: virtue ethics, ethics for the greater good, and universal ethics. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on ethical relativism, applied ethics, ethical dilemmas, and how to resolve these situations.
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Define ethics.
2. Explain the role of values in ethical decision-making.
3. Understand opposing ethical theories and their limitations.
4. Discuss ethical relativism.
5. Explain an ethical dilemma and apply a process to resolve it.
Extended Chapter Outline
Note: Key terms are in boldface.
Frontline Focus
Doing the