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Ethics

Ethics. A Short Introduction to Its Origin Prof. Dr. S. B. KIM CNU (Chungnam Nat ’ l University). Outline. 1. Aims and structure of the lecture series 2. Origin & Inevitability of philosophical ethics 3. Schedule of lecture topics See CNU homepage ( www. cnu.ac.kr ). Power point slides

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Ethics

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  1. Ethics A Short Introduction to Its Origin Prof. Dr. S. B. KIM CNU (Chungnam Nat’l University)

  2. Outline 1. Aims and structure of the lecture series 2. Origin & Inevitability of philosophical ethics 3. Schedule of lecture topics • See CNU homepage (www. cnu.ac.kr)

  3. Power point slides • Available via the cyber-lectures page of my homepage: www.cnu.ac.kr/~ksbkant/

  4. 1. Aims and structure of the lecture series • Major study lecture course for second class students in dept. of philosophy at CNU • Provide general information about the philosophical discipline “ethics” • also, opportunity to make an argument about contemporary ethical issues - abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, conchy etc. (after intermediate exam.)

  5. 2. Origin & Inevitability of philosophical ethics • 1) Origin of the concept “Ethic(s)”: etymological meaning • 2) Birth of Ethics: why or in what sense inevitable?

  6. 1) Origin of the concept “Ethic(s)”: etymological meaning • Aristotle (BC 384-322): Ethika Nikomacheia, Ethika Eudemeia, Ethika megala • Zenon v. Kition (BC 336?-264?): divided philosophy into three parts, namely logica, physica & ethica.

  7. Meaning of “ethos”, “ethike” • “Ethos”: accustomed place, haunts or abodes of animals or men → manner, character, custom and convention • “Ethike” is adjective form of “ethos” so, it means “related to custom or convention”

  8. Excursion: “practical philosophy”? • “praxis” has a broad meaning ① movement in general (celestial bodies, physical things, living things etc.) ② biological living process of animals or plants ③ human activity including theoretical, thinking, moral, productive activity * Aristotle’s practical philosophy includes and may include: ethics, politics, rhetoric, poetics

  9. 2) Birth of ethics: why or in what sense inevitable? • Ethos (convention) has its own function: “Entlastungs-funktion” (function of relief or exoneration) • Why weren’t they (the Greeks) contented with ethos and had to develop ethics?

  10. Ans.: inevitable, when ethos loses its self-evidence (matter of course) • Self-evidence (Selbstverständlichkeit)? What is it? or When we miss it?

  11. “It is contrary to my conviction that I take lives of other people or take aim with a rifle at them in order to keep my peace ….” • Q: Why did you choose to go to prison? Military service would be more comfortable for you. A: They say, the latter is easier one. I don’t know yet, which one would be easier… But it seems to me that it’s not the problem of convenience or easiness. I can’t make decision contrary to my conviction. Prison is the second best.

  12. On what reason ethics emerged in ancient Greece? • Geographical & cultural conditions: the Mediterranean Sea → “an ocean like a lake” 

  13. Herodotus (BC 484-430): Historia (inquiry, knowledge, information, account, story etc. gained by experiences!) • Unidentified: Dissoi logoi (Double Arguments)

  14. Conclusion: When ethos seems to lose its self-evidence (with respect to its validity), a demand for a philosophical ethics appears. Philosophers make questions about ethos and try to find out reliable answer.

  15. Topics for next class Basic terminologies of ethics: “ethics, ethic and moral”. “the good” “the bad”, “justice or injustice” etc.

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