Book chapter 1-6 (till Social Value’s)
See practise exam; open question (apply theory), essay question (write essay), definitions
Be to the point, don’t take too long, have a good reason/explanation
Chapter 1; What is ethics?
Ethics = the structural analysis and evaluation of mortality.
Not to be confused with other academic approaches.
Norm = a rule that contributes to the realization of a value
What you do (to achieve a value)
(study, work)
= always a verb
Value = the ultimate goal we seek to achieve by acting in compliance with a norm.
What you seek to realise
(education, knowledge)
= a noun -> your reason
Interest = the combination of tangible and intangible things we use to comply with a norm.
Things you need
(a book, a pen)
= stuff you use
Virtue = a certain characteristic that is required to successfully comply with a norm.
The characteristics you need to realise that
(discipline, perseverance)
= the way to get there
Morality = Someone’s perception in what is right. The answer on the question of what is right and
what is wrong. It is the combination of norms and values someone seeks to realise.
Individual norms = very personal behaviour, differs per person.
Collective norms =norms that are shared by groups of people (culturally, historic).
Universal norms = certain norms almost each human being agrees with.
Written norms = written standards than can be enforced by an authoritative institution.
Be reflective on the relation between a norm and a value.
Terminal values = ultimate goals people strive for, essential in life.
Instrumental values =values that help us realize these terminal values but are no end goal in itself.
Nature vs. nurture; Nature = you are born with certain characteristics. Nurture = you develop
characteristics as a result of being raised and educated.
, Functionalism = the comparison of different solutions to the same problem on the basis of
functional equivalence.
Moral question = the central point of the comparison.
Ethical viewpoints = map how people could answer a moral question. (A sexual relationship is a
private issue, and others should not judge nor try to forbit the nature of this relationship.)
Academic perspective = an approach towards a certain situation exclusively from the perspective of
that discipline.
Viewpoint = a particular opinion within an academic discipline -> (ethics, law, psychology,
economics, theology…) to carefully make a well-informed decision.
In law we ask ourselves the question whether something is legal. Law should achieve;
Justice = what should be considered as right in a given society.
Opportuneness = a law should be practical, not just theoretical.
Legal certainty= the law must provide those subjected to it with the ability to regulate their
conduct.
Differences law and ethics;
1. The consequences of unethical behaviour are different from the consequences of violating a
law.
2. Law is not always an expression of morality.
3. Law only expresses the norms and values chosen by those who are in control. With ethics,
this is clearly not the case.
Theology = we critically analyse and evaluate the nature of the divine.
Psychology = we seek to understand and explain human behaviour.
Sociology = we seek to understand and explain social relations.
Economic discipline = we seek to explain (and predict) how our economy works.
Macroeconomics; study of the economy on a national or international level.
Microeconomics = study of economic behaviour of individuals and organizations
Business administration = study of the functioning of companies and contribute to making
companies more efficient and profitable. (Marketing and sales, Finance and accounting,
Organization sciences)
Business ethics = the academic area where economics and ethics are linked. -> be honest and clear
of its purpose.
Where in ethics in business we ask the question, what is morally correct in our economic behaviour,
in business ethics we ask the question how we can make profit in doing the right thing.
Distribution = the question is asked to what extent a bonus system is in the interest of the consumer.
See practise exam; open question (apply theory), essay question (write essay), definitions
Be to the point, don’t take too long, have a good reason/explanation
Chapter 1; What is ethics?
Ethics = the structural analysis and evaluation of mortality.
Not to be confused with other academic approaches.
Norm = a rule that contributes to the realization of a value
What you do (to achieve a value)
(study, work)
= always a verb
Value = the ultimate goal we seek to achieve by acting in compliance with a norm.
What you seek to realise
(education, knowledge)
= a noun -> your reason
Interest = the combination of tangible and intangible things we use to comply with a norm.
Things you need
(a book, a pen)
= stuff you use
Virtue = a certain characteristic that is required to successfully comply with a norm.
The characteristics you need to realise that
(discipline, perseverance)
= the way to get there
Morality = Someone’s perception in what is right. The answer on the question of what is right and
what is wrong. It is the combination of norms and values someone seeks to realise.
Individual norms = very personal behaviour, differs per person.
Collective norms =norms that are shared by groups of people (culturally, historic).
Universal norms = certain norms almost each human being agrees with.
Written norms = written standards than can be enforced by an authoritative institution.
Be reflective on the relation between a norm and a value.
Terminal values = ultimate goals people strive for, essential in life.
Instrumental values =values that help us realize these terminal values but are no end goal in itself.
Nature vs. nurture; Nature = you are born with certain characteristics. Nurture = you develop
characteristics as a result of being raised and educated.
, Functionalism = the comparison of different solutions to the same problem on the basis of
functional equivalence.
Moral question = the central point of the comparison.
Ethical viewpoints = map how people could answer a moral question. (A sexual relationship is a
private issue, and others should not judge nor try to forbit the nature of this relationship.)
Academic perspective = an approach towards a certain situation exclusively from the perspective of
that discipline.
Viewpoint = a particular opinion within an academic discipline -> (ethics, law, psychology,
economics, theology…) to carefully make a well-informed decision.
In law we ask ourselves the question whether something is legal. Law should achieve;
Justice = what should be considered as right in a given society.
Opportuneness = a law should be practical, not just theoretical.
Legal certainty= the law must provide those subjected to it with the ability to regulate their
conduct.
Differences law and ethics;
1. The consequences of unethical behaviour are different from the consequences of violating a
law.
2. Law is not always an expression of morality.
3. Law only expresses the norms and values chosen by those who are in control. With ethics,
this is clearly not the case.
Theology = we critically analyse and evaluate the nature of the divine.
Psychology = we seek to understand and explain human behaviour.
Sociology = we seek to understand and explain social relations.
Economic discipline = we seek to explain (and predict) how our economy works.
Macroeconomics; study of the economy on a national or international level.
Microeconomics = study of economic behaviour of individuals and organizations
Business administration = study of the functioning of companies and contribute to making
companies more efficient and profitable. (Marketing and sales, Finance and accounting,
Organization sciences)
Business ethics = the academic area where economics and ethics are linked. -> be honest and clear
of its purpose.
Where in ethics in business we ask the question, what is morally correct in our economic behaviour,
in business ethics we ask the question how we can make profit in doing the right thing.
Distribution = the question is asked to what extent a bonus system is in the interest of the consumer.
