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DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Ethics

Lecture - 13
Determinants of Ethics (Part-4)
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Determinants of Ethics (Part-4)

Metaphysics:
❖ Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with fundamental questions about the nature of reality,
existence, and the relationship between mind and matter.
➢ It explores questions that go beyond the physical sciences and delve into the underlying principles that
govern the nature of the universe.
❖ What is real and what is unreal?
➢ Metaphysics seeks to understand the nature of reality and distinguish between what is real and what might
be considered illusory or unreal.
➢ It delves into the nature of existence, perception, and the ultimate reality that underlies the appearances
we experience.
❖ What is the fundamental unit of reality?
➢ Metaphysics explores whether there is a fundamental substance or entity that constitutes the building
blocks of reality.
➢ This can range from examining the nature of physical particles at the subatomic level to more abstract
concepts like the ultimate substance or essence that gives rise to all phenomena.
❖ What is the nature of reality?
➢ Metaphysicians ponder the fundamental nature of reality, considering questions about the essence of
existence, the relationship between the material and immaterial, and the nature of time and space.
➢ Different metaphysical traditions and philosophers offer diverse perspectives on these fundamental
questions.
Nature of Reality:
❖ Materialism:
➢ Materialism is a philosophical stance that asserts the primacy of the material world.
➢ It posits that the fundamental substance of reality is physical or material in nature.
➢ According to materialism, everything that exists, including thoughts, emotions, and consciousness, can
be ultimately explained by the properties and interactions of material entities, such as particles and fields.
➢ In essence, materialism denies the existence of anything beyond the physical realm and holds that reality
can be understood through the scientific study of the material world.
❖ Spiritualism (Deontological):
➢ Spiritualism, particularly in a deontological context, is a perspective that emphasizes the significance of
non-material aspects in the understanding of reality.
➢ Deontological ethics, which is often associated with spiritual or religious frameworks, asserts that certain
actions are inherently right or wrong, independent of their consequences.
➢ In the context of spiritualism, the focus is on the existence of non-material entities, such as souls, spirits,
or divine forces, which are considered integral to the nature of reality.
➢ Unlike materialism, spiritualism suggests that there are aspects of existence that transcend the physical
realm and may involve moral or ethical dimensions beyond what can be observed empirically.
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Understanding of Human Psychology:

The understanding of human psychology is a complex and multifaceted topic, and different psychological theories
and perspectives offer varying explanations for human behavior.
❖ Psychological Selfishness:
➢ This idea is often associated with psychological egoism, which suggests that individuals are inherently
motivated by self-interest.
➢ According to psychological egoism, all human actions, whether seemingly altruistic or selfless, are
ultimately driven by a desire to maximize one's own well-being.
➢ This perspective has been criticized, and many argue that altruistic behavior and genuine concern for
others can exist independently of self-interest.
❖ Pleasure-Seeking:
➢ The concept of pleasure-seeking is related to hedonism, which asserts that the pursuit of pleasure and the
avoidance of pain are the central driving forces behind human actions.
➢ Hedonism suggests that individuals naturally seek pleasure and try to minimize discomfort.
➢ However, like psychological egoism, hedonism is a simplified view of human motivation, and other
factors, such as social and moral considerations, also play significant roles in shaping behavior.
❖ Egoism:
➢ Egoism, in a psychological or ethical context, emphasizes self-interest as a primary motivating factor.
➢ Psychological egoism, as mentioned earlier, asserts that individuals are inherently selfish in their
psychological motivations.
➢ Ethical egoism, on the other hand, is a normative theory that prescribes that individuals ought to act in
their self-interest.
➢ These perspectives have been critiqued, and various ethical theories argue for a balance between self-
interest and concern for others.
❖ Hedonism:
➢ Hedonism, as a psychological concept, focuses on the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as
fundamental human motivators.
➢ This perspective suggests that individuals seek experiences that bring pleasure and avoid those that bring
discomfort.
➢ While hedonism captures an aspect of human motivation, it is often considered an oversimplified view,
as it doesn't fully account for the complexity of human values and goals.
Determinants of Morality of Conducts:
❖ The determinants of morality can be complex and multifaceted, involving a combination of individual, social,
cultural, and cognitive factors.
❖ Determinants of the Nature of Morality:
➢ Cognitive Development: Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that moral reasoning evolves
as individuals mature.
✓ Younger children may exhibit more concrete, rule-based moral thinking, while older individuals may
engage in more abstract, principled moral reasoning.
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➢ Cultural and Religious Influences: Cultural and religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping moral
values and norms.
✓ Different cultures and religions may have distinct moral frameworks, guiding individuals on what is
considered morally acceptable or unacceptable behavior.
➢ Individual Values and Beliefs: Personal values and beliefs, shaped by factors such as upbringing,
education, and personal experiences, contribute to an individual's moral perspective.
✓ People often make moral judgments based on their own ethical principles and worldview.
➢ Socialization and Family Environment: The family environment plays a crucial role in shaping moral
development.
✓ Early socialization within the family can instill moral values, ethical principles, and a sense of
empathy in individuals.
➢ Neurobiological Factors: Some research suggests that neurobiological factors, such as genetics and brain
structure, may influence moral decision-making.
✓ For example, certain brain regions are implicated in empathy and moral reasoning.
❖ Determinants of the Degree of Morality:
➢ Circumstances and Context: The circumstances and context surrounding a moral decision can impact
the perceived morality of an action.
✓ Situational factors, such as urgency or perceived threat, may influence individuals to make different
moral judgments.
➢ Social Norms and Peer Influence: Social norms and peer pressure can affect the degree of morality in
behavior.
✓ People may conform to societal expectations or peer group norms, which can influence the moral
choices they make.
➢ Personal Responsibility and Accountability: The degree of personal responsibility and accountability
for one's actions can influence the perceived morality of conduct.
✓ Individuals may weigh the consequences of their actions on themselves and others.
➢ Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Legal and institutional structures provide a societal framework
for defining and enforcing moral standards.
✓ The legal system plays a role in codifying certain behaviors as morally acceptable or unacceptable.
➢ Ethical Reasoning and Reflection: The degree of morality may also be influenced by an individual's
capacity for ethical reasoning and reflection.
✓ Individuals who engage in thoughtful consideration of the ethical implications of their actions may
exhibit a higher degree of moral behavior.
External Conditions are the Same:
❖ Moral Actions: A moral action is one that aligns with ethical principles and is considered morally right or
good.
❖ Examples:
➢ An IPS officer protected people during riots by using the best possible means.
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➢ An IPS officer orders subordinates to fire on the mob during rights to protect the property of the minority
community and in this act the five people die. In this situation the action taken by an IPS officer is deemed
to be a moral act because he or she is performing his duty.
❖ Immoral Actions: Immoral actions are those that violate ethical principles and are considered morally wrong
or bad. They cause harm, violate rights, or fail to fulfill moral obligations.
❖ Examples of immoral actions may include stealing, cheating, lying, or causing intentional harm to others.
➢ Example: An IPS officer meets students who are protesting and during the discussion the students
misbehave with an IPS officer and officer gets angry and he loses his control and orders subordinates to
fire on the students and 5 students die. This act of an IPS officer is Immoral because he or she could have
taken the path of discussion to sort out the issue , the action taken was out of revenge so it is considered
as an Immoral action.
❖ Non-moral Actions: Non-moral actions are those that do not possess a moral dimension. These actions are
morally neutral and typically involve personal preferences, choices, or actions that do not impact others' well-
being or violate ethical principles. For instance, choosing between two different flavors of ice cream or
deciding what color shirt to wear would be considered non-moral actions.
➢ Example: An IPS officer meets the farmer protesters, in the discussion the police officer car is attacked
by the criminals and IPS officer ask subordinates to fire on those criminals and five criminals get killed.
This act of an IPS officer is considered as non moral because he or she would have to act as per the duties
to protect himself or herself.
Depending on The Intentions:
❖ Moral Action: Intentions rooted in genuine concern for others' well-being, fairness, or the pursuit of virtuous
qualities tend to align with moral actions. For example, if someone donates money to a charitable organization
with the genuine intention of helping those in need, the action is likely to be considered moral.
❖ Non Moral Action: Engaging in routine activities that do not have ethical implications can be considered non-
moral acts. For instance, brushing your teeth, going for a walk, or taking a nap are actions that are generally
morally neutral. They may be guided by personal needs or habits but do not carry moral significance in
themselves.
❖ Immoral Actions: Deliberately taking someone else's property without their consent is considered an immoral
act. It involves violating the rights of others and causing harm by depriving them of their possessions. Theft is
generally seen as morally wrong in most societies and is often illegal.

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