Can ethics be taught.?

Copyright © 2016 Zee Production
CAN ETHICS BE TAUGHT?

Presenters:
Syed Muhammad Zeejah Hashmi
Usman Ali
Danish Mehmood
Presented to:
Mrs. Sadaf Manzoor

Overview
What is Ethics?
Overview of Ethics
Ethical values VS Non-ethical values
Universal Ethical Values
Can Ethics Be taught?
• Early history about ethics teaching..
• can ethics be taught or not…??
• philosophers' view..
• Islam's view..
• area’s of studying Ethics..

What is Ethics?
The word ethics is derived from the Greek word “ethos” meaning “habit”
or “custom”.
"Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that
involves systematizing and defending concepts of right and wrong behavior ”.
or
“the science of the ideal human character' or 'the science of moral duty"

Overview of Ethics
• Ethics aims to answer one big question.
How should I live?
• Ethical beliefs shape the way we live – what we do, what we make and the
world we create through our choices.
• Ethical questions explore what Aristotle called 'a life well-lived'.
• Ethics isn't just an exercise for philosophers or intellectuals.
• It is at the core of everyday life.

(contd….)
• We ask ethical questions whenever we think about how we
should act.
• Being ethical is a part of what defines us as human beings.
• We are rational, thinking, choosing creatures.
• We all have the capacity to make conscious choices – although
we often act out of habit or in line with the views of the crowd.
• We could all make conscious and conscientious ethical choices
if we wanted to.

Ethics and Values
• In order to understand what ethics is, and what it might look like, it's
important to distinguish the difference between ethics and values .
• Ethics is about the way we treat one another and is an action concept that
dictates how we choose to live our lives. The ultimate true test of our
character is when we are willing to do the right thing even when it is not
in our best interest to do so.
• Values refers to our core beliefs or desires , the things we value the most.
Our values shape our attitudes and determines how we will behave in
certain situations.

Ethical Values Vs. Non-Ethical Values
Ethical Values:
Directly relate to our beliefs concerning our moral duty as
opposed to what is correct, effective, or desirable. These
are the values that drive our principles.
Non-Ethical Values:
Are concerned with things that we like or find personally
satisfying and/or important, with no regard to the moral
content.

Universal Ethical Values
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Promise-keeping
• Fidelity
• Fairness
• Caring
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Striving for Excellence
• Accountability

Can Ethics Be taught..??
The question arises in every person’s mind is ethics really
be taught or its just a conflict…!
Many philosophers’ have different views regarding ethics;
some in favor and some in again.,,!
Quran and Hadith also tells differently about ethics…!

Early history about Ethics teaching…!
• In a recent editorial, the Wall Street Journal announced that ethics courses
are useless because ethics can't be taught.
• Although few people would turn to the Wall Street Journal as a learned
expert on the teaching of ethics, the issue raised by the newspaper is a
serious one:
“Can ethics be taught? “
• The issue is an old one. Almost 2500 years ago.
• The philosopher Socrates debated the question with his fellow Athenians.
Socrates' position was clear: Ethics consists of knowing what we ought to
do, and such knowledge can be taught.

Can Ethics be taught or not..??
• Most psychologists today would agree with Socrates. In an overview of
contemporary research in the field of moral development, psychologist James Rest
summarized the major findings as follows:
• Dramatic changes occur in young adults in their 20s and 30s in terms of the basic
problem-solving strategies they use to deal with ethical issues.
• These changes are linked to fundamental changes in how a person perceives society
and his or her role in society.
• The extent to which change occurs is associated with the number of years of formal
education (college or professional school).
• Deliberate educational attempts to influence awareness of moral problems and to
influence the reasoning or judgment process have been demonstrated to be
effective.
• Studies indicate that a person's behavior is influenced by his or her moral
perception and moral judgments.

(contd…)
•The childhood is time when ethics can be taught but according to
experience of philosophers almost age from 10 to 15 is the time to
learn ethics..
•But from 20’s to 30’s ethics can’t be learn..

Philosophers’ view….!
Hosmer has admitted that it is hard to change habits, beliefs and
values.
Shenkir (1990) indicates that the development of moral
character continues through an individual’s entire education
experience.
Ethics are learned early in life and that by the time students
reach college they are either honest or not (Carruth & Carruth ).

Islam's view..
• The basis of Islamic morality introduced by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is to
believe that there is a Divine Power that creates life, perpetuates it, and takes it away.
This faith is the source and the basis of Islam.
• Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that Allah sees the human as the most superior
creature and that He “glorified humans to the angels” (Muslim, “Hajj” 436; Nasai
“Adabu al-Qudat” 37; “Hajj” 194; Ibn Maja, “Masajid” 19).

Area’s of Studying Ethics…!
By Family ( parents , siblings, grandparents etc)
By teachers
Course are taught in colleges
By Seminars arranged by professionals
Personal Experience

Can ethics be taught.?

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