Ethics

A (v.) Brief History and Overview of Ethics

The English word "ethics" is derived from the Greek ἠθικός. That word, like the concept it describes is complex in meaning. Let's assign it "custom", "character" and "morals" for not quite compleat definitions.

The West does not hold sole title to the study of ethics. Well before Aristotle (384-322 BC), 老子 (Lao Tzu) and 儒學 (Confucius 551-479 BC) developed different ethical systems. Those philosophers were part of a period, The Hundred Schools of Thought (770-221BC), that gave rise to a huge body of philosophy. (Incidentally, Lao Tzu was a librarian.)

Ethicists seek to define proper conduct. There are several approaches, which aren't necessarily in conflict, used in fulfillment of that aim.

Teleological ethics centres about the concepts laid out by Aristotle. It's a purpose driven system. A teleological ethicist might ask "Are we proceeding in accords with our Mission Statement?"

Axiological ethics revolves about the end value of the solution to a given problem.Mr. Spock, Nietzsche and I could all be considered axiological ethicists. (Strange bedfellows indeed.) Our favourite question might well be "How many people benefit if we proceed this way?"

Deontological ethics is all about what you can and Kant do based on the rules of the game. Lawyers are excellent specimens of the deontological sort; their most pressing question seems to be "Well, what do the rules say we can do?"

These approaches are just a few facets of Ethics so that I might not bore you to tears by being overly expansive. Do explore the Works Cited page for more information.

Background image swiped from Paul Bourke "Texture, colour"
He retains rights, but you can read his copyright stuff here.
http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/texture_colour
Coin depicting Nero image swiped from Wikipedia, but share and share alike copyright includes that I state that CNG Coins is the source.

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