Virtue Ethics
Philosopher Martha Nussbaum explains what appeals to her about virtue ethics, as opposed to other ways of looking at moral choice. She mentions that it looks at human life as a whole, rather in terms of narrow moral parts. Professor Nussbaum also ap...
Is Morality Relative?: Is Morality Relative?
People and cultures differ so widely that many philosophers wonder if there are any universal standards, even in morality. Over the past few decades, as most Western countries have experienced an increase in cultural diversity, we become aware that ...
Managers and Ethics
Some believe that managers need to be provided with a corporate code of ethics that might serve as a kind of road map in the face of difficult choices. But it would still be incumbent upon the manager to find out the facts in a given situation and t...
Liberalism and the Self
Philosopher Michael Sandel discusses his criticism of the liberal political philosophy that says government shouldn't affirm any particular conception of the good life, but should instead provide a framework of rights within which people can choose ...
Moral Pluralism
Philosopher Michael Sandel argues that the fact that we live in a morally pluralistic society shouldn't deter us from seeking to create a political system based on the common good--even if there is widespread disagreement about what constitutes the ...
Encumbered Self, The
Philosopher Michael Sandel expands on his idea of the encumbered self--the notion that we may be claimed by certain moral ties that can't be accounted for as duties we owe human beings, or as obligations we've chosen, as in through an act of consent.
Can Rules Define Morality?: Kantian Ethics
"Can Rules Define Morality?" addresses Immanuel Kant's rights-based theories of ethics, the categorical imperative. What was new about Kant's moral philosophy is that a superhuman authority is not necessary to determine morality. Our own reason, he ...