Ethics and Morals

Ethics 1

Running Head: Basic Critical Thinking Individual Work 1

Week 4 Individual Work 1

Stacey Nordan

Everest University

Ethics 1

1.) The following quote appears near the beginning of the chapter:

The ultimate purpose in studying ethics is not that as it is in other inquiries, the attainment of theoretical knowledge; we are not conducting this inquiry in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, else there would be no advantage in studying it. -Aristotle.

How would Robert Coles respond to this quote? How do you respond to this quote?

I believe Robert Coles would respond to this quote by engaging us to think about taking a big step from thought to action, from moral analysis to fulfilled moral commitments. (Chaffee, J., 2009). Moral reasoning can't be equated with moral conduct, however there is a parallel between moral reasoning and an action plan. Moral reasoning and reflection will somehow be able to be integrated into everyone's lives as they live them. Although colleges and universities may try to instill a moral code of ethics, it is up to the student to study them and abide by them, thus making them an ethical person.

I would respond to the above quote in the following way: Ethics is the moral standard of right and wrong behavior. People make a choice about their behavior. We are able to study our everyday lives through our actions and the words we speak. We choose whether the decision we make is a good decision or one that will surely lead to consequences. If we don't continuously study our actions based on our behavior then we will never maintain a code of ethics and thus suffer both personally and socially in the outside world.

2.) How do you explain the fact that morally evil people can be highly educated in terms of ethics and religion? In other words, how do you account for the gap that sometimes occurs between knowledge of ethics and being an ethical person?

Ethics 2

The gap that sometimes occurs between knowledge of ethics and being an ethical person can be explained through knowing good and trying to become a good person. Another way to state this is knowing something and then acting accordingly to the knowledge that one has ascertained. Ethics builds upon the values that consist of concepts and standards held by individuals or groups concerning values pertaining to right and wrong conduct of behavior. A graduate from Harvard may be looked at as an ethical person, because they possess wisdom, however, if that same graduate were to have passed their exams by cheating, would we still consider them ethical? I wouldn't assume so. The gap is formed because of what we preach and what we practice. We are hypocrites if we know the difference from right and wrong, yet make the incorrect decision. A lesser educated person from a community college could be more ethical then an ivy league graduate because they not only make the better decisions, but their actions show they have mad the right decisions.

3.) If you were in Coles's position, what would have been your response to the student's concerns regarding the disconnect between ethics and education?

If I were in Coles's position, I would probably state bluntly that the schools no longer take major responsibility for the moral values of their students. The schools "assume that their students acquire those values at home." (Chaffee, J., 2009, p.337). This might be the reason for disconnect. The parents feel that it is up to the schools to educate and mold their children because they are our future. The schools on the other hand may feel that discipline and morals should be something that is to be taught at home. When

Ethics 3

you have to opposing sides, there will be conflict, which will lead to a gap of who is responsible for teaching morals and ethics.

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