Ch 18: Basic Concepts of Morality
About This Chapter
Basic Concepts of Morality - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
This chapter brings to you a thorough treatment of the study of morality. We outline how morality is defined, how people discuss and express morality, and how morals are applied in interactions and social institutions. In these videos our experienced teachers explain concepts such as:
- Principles of morality
- Morality in policy, policing, and employment
- Moral standing and relations
- Psycho-social sources of morality and moral obligation
- The double effect doctrine
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| What is Morality? - Definition, Principles & Examples | Here we outline what makes morals different from other related behaviors. |
| What Are Values, Morals & Ethics? | Our instructors draw the lines between these terms and how people may define them differently. |
| The Basic Principles of Morality | Five principles, from value of life to individual freedom, are defined and prioritized in this video. |
| Political Justice and Political Rights | Learn how morality figures into public policy and rights in this lesson. |
| Basic Concepts of Economic Value | This video provides definitions for values and goods and explains concepts associated with value. |
| Comparing Obligations & Prima Facie | Get a grasp on the origins of duty and distinguishing actual duties from prima facie ones. |
| Moral Agency: Nature of Persons, Moral Character & Personhood | This video lesson defines what a person is and how moral agency fits into a person's nature. |
| Moral Standing: Qualities & Scope | The qualities associated with people provided moral standing by the community are explained here. |
| Moral Relations: Friendship, Loyalty & Fidelity | Morality in interpersonal interactions is the focus of the material presented in this video. |
| Comparing Autonomy & Paternalism: Respect for Persons | Finding balance between respect for oneself and respect for others is discussed by instructors. |
| Comparing Beneficence & Nonmaleficence | Here we discuss why doing good is not the same as not doing bad. |
| The Doctrine of Double Effect: Interpretations, Application & Criticisms | A full deconstruction of views about and uses of the double effect in society is presented. |
| Employment Discrimination: Definition and Laws | This lesson applies morality to the workplace, including a look at the Civil Rights Act of 1964. |
1. What is Morality? - Definition, Principles & Examples
As a society, we try to teach our children the difference between 'right' and 'wrong.' What we are teaching them is really just basic morality. Read on to learn the definition of morality, examine some of its principles, and look at some examples.
2. What Are Values, Morals & Ethics?
In this lesson, learn the differences between ethics and morals. Consider how these terms can mean different things to philosophers compared with the general public and how values factor into the conversation.
3. The Basic Principles of Morality
This lesson discusses the basic tenets of morality and highlights the six principles of the Moral Foundations Theory and how they are universally accepted.
4. Political Justice and Political Rights
Some of the greatest questions in political thought revolve around the nebulous concepts of justice and rights. In this lesson, we'll be exploring these complex concepts. You'll also have a chance to reinforce your knowledge with a short quiz.
5. Basic Concepts of Economic Value
This lesson explains the concept of economic value. It defines the terms market economy, market value, and consumer surplus. It also differentiates between economic value and market value.
6. Comparing Obligations & Prima Facie
Every moral code comes with certain moral obligations. But what do you do if two obligations contradict each other? Explore the ideas of moral duties and prima facie, and test your understanding with a brief quiz.
7. Moral Agency: Nature of Persons, Moral Character & Personhood
How do you know that you're a person? Is it because you're human? This lesson explores this question as it delves into the nature of persons debate, the meaning of moral agency, and the idea of moral character.
8. Moral Standing: Qualities & Scope
This lesson explains the concept of moral standing. Using modern examples and history, it also defines the terms anthropocentrism, sentiocentrism, and biocentrism.
9. Moral Relations: Friendship, Loyalty & Fidelity
Our lives are full of interactions with other people and those interactions often rely on some form of relationship. In this lesson, explore the idea of moral relations and discover how these are maintained. Then, test your understanding with a brief quiz.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Civics Study Guide course
- Principles and Origins of the American Government
- Constitutional Democracy in the US
- Federalism in the US
- U.S. Political Parties, Voters & Electoral Process
- American Public Opinion
- Interest Groups in the United States
- Mass Media in the United States
- The U.S.'s Legislative Branch
- The U.S.'s Executive Branch
- The Judicial Branch of the U.S.
- Civil Liberties in the United States
- Civil Rights in the United States
- Economic, Fiscal & Trade Policy in the U.S.
- Societies
- Overview of Public Policy
- Issues in Morality
- Basic Theories of Morality
