What in the world is What in the world is ethics? ethics?

““Ethics”Ethics”

• Comes from Greek term meaning Comes from Greek term meaning “the science of morals or character”“the science of morals or character”

• The study of the principles of human The study of the principles of human dutyduty

• The study of moralityThe study of morality

Ethics is…..Ethics is…..

• Standards of conduct, standards that Standards of conduct, standards that indicate how one should behave based indicate how one should behave based on moral duties and virtues, which on moral duties and virtues, which themselves are derived from principles themselves are derived from principles of right and wrong. As a practical of right and wrong. As a practical matter, ethics is about how we meet matter, ethics is about how we meet the challenge of doing the right thing the challenge of doing the right thing when that will cost more than we want when that will cost more than we want to pay. -to pay. -©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

Ethics involves…..Ethics involves…..

• The ability to discern wrong from The ability to discern wrong from rightright

• And do it!!!And do it!!!

• It involves action—not just discussionIt involves action—not just discussion

Is Ethics vs. Ought Ethics Is Ethics vs. Ought Ethics

• ISIS– How individuals actually behaveHow individuals actually behave

• OughtOught– Ethics that prescribe how people should Ethics that prescribe how people should

behave -behave -©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

MoralsMorals

• An individuals customs or mannersAn individuals customs or manners

• ““Good or Evil”; “Right or Wrong”Good or Evil”; “Right or Wrong”

• Morals deal with motives, intentions, Morals deal with motives, intentions, actionsactions

Moral DutyMoral Duty

• Moral duty refers to the obligation to Moral duty refers to the obligation to act or refrain from acting according act or refrain from acting according to moral principles. Moral duties to moral principles. Moral duties establish the minimal standards of establish the minimal standards of ethical conduct. ethical conduct. ©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

Moral VirtueMoral Virtue

• Moral virtue goes beyond moral duty. Moral virtue goes beyond moral duty. It refers to moral excellence, It refers to moral excellence, characteristics or conduct (say, characteristics or conduct (say, generosity or valor) worthy of praise generosity or valor) worthy of praise or admiration because it advances or admiration because it advances moral principle. Moral virtue is an moral principle. Moral virtue is an ideal, not ethically mandatory. ideal, not ethically mandatory.

• ©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

•

ValuesValues

• Values are core beliefs or desires that Values are core beliefs or desires that guide or motivate attitudes and actions. guide or motivate attitudes and actions. They define the things we value and They define the things we value and prize the most, and, therefore, provide prize the most, and, therefore, provide the basis for ranking the things we want the basis for ranking the things we want in a way that elevates some values over in a way that elevates some values over others. Thus, our values determine how others. Thus, our values determine how we will behave in certain situations. we will behave in certain situations.

• ©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

ValuesValues

• Anything having relative worthAnything having relative worth• ““Value” is a relative termValue” is a relative term• Moral values and nonmoral valuesMoral values and nonmoral values• Nonmoral valuesNonmoral values

– $$$$$$– FameFame– PowerPower– PositionPosition– WinningWinning

Values vs. EthicsValues vs. Ethics

• The terms "values" and "ethics" are The terms "values" and "ethics" are not interchangeable. not interchangeable.

• Ethics is concerned with how a moral Ethics is concerned with how a moral person should behave, whereas person should behave, whereas values simply concern the various values simply concern the various beliefs and attitudes that determine beliefs and attitudes that determine how a person actually behaves. how a person actually behaves. ©2001 ©2001

Josephson InstituteJosephson Institute

COMMON COMMON RATIONALIZATIONSRATIONALIZATIONS

• If It’s Necessary, It’s EthicalIf It’s Necessary, It’s Ethical

• If It’s Legal and Permissible, It’s If It’s Legal and Permissible, It’s ProperProper

• I Was Just Doing It for YouI Was Just Doing It for You

• I’m Just Fighting Fire With FireI’m Just Fighting Fire With Fire

• It Doesn’t Hurt AnyoneIt Doesn’t Hurt Anyone©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

COMMON COMMON RATIONALIZATIONSRATIONALIZATIONS• Everyone’s Doing ItEveryone’s Doing It

• It’s OK If I Don’t Gain PersonallyIt’s OK If I Don’t Gain Personally

• I’ve Got It ComingI’ve Got It Coming

• I Can Still Be ObjectiveI Can Still Be Objective©2001 Josephson Institute©2001 Josephson Institute

Ethics Ethics

• Are studied in various fieldsAre studied in various fields– Legal ethicsLegal ethics– Business ethicsBusiness ethics– Medical ethics Medical ethics – **Sport ethics****Sport ethics**

What is sport ethics?What is sport ethics?

• Sports ethics is the use of moral values and Sports ethics is the use of moral values and principles to judge conduct relating to principles to judge conduct relating to sports activities. It involves evaluating the sports activities. It involves evaluating the soundness of the intentions and decisions of soundness of the intentions and decisions of people and organizations engaged in sports-people and organizations engaged in sports-related endeavors. In a less academic related endeavors. In a less academic sense, sports ethics refers to the moral sense, sports ethics refers to the moral guidelines that are inferred from words like guidelines that are inferred from words like "sportsmanship" and "fair play.” -"sportsmanship" and "fair play.” -THE SPORTS ETHICS THE SPORTS ETHICS

INSTITUTEINSTITUTE

Why study ethics in sports? Why study ethics in sports?

• Most of our important decisions and actions Most of our important decisions and actions require judgment calls. Judgments that require judgment calls. Judgments that involve involve whether an act or decision is right whether an act or decision is right or wrong or wrong and and what we ought to dowhat we ought to do relate to relate to ethics. Because sports affects our lives and ethics. Because sports affects our lives and livelihoods in so many ways – – it makes livelihoods in so many ways – – it makes sense to examine experiences in sports to sense to examine experiences in sports to make sure they make sure they are what they should beare what they should be in in a society that is at its very best.-a society that is at its very best.-THE SPORTS ETHICS THE SPORTS ETHICS INSTITUTEINSTITUTE

Why conduct ethical Why conduct ethical analyses? analyses? • Ethical analyses clarify our beliefs about Ethical analyses clarify our beliefs about

what is right or wrong and justifies our what is right or wrong and justifies our moral choices. The more we examine the moral choices. The more we examine the ethical dimensions of our experiences – ethical dimensions of our experiences – both in and out of sports – and those of both in and out of sports – and those of others, the better chance we have of others, the better chance we have of making sound judgments. And the better making sound judgments. And the better decisions we make individually, the better decisions we make individually, the better off we will be as a society.-off we will be as a society.-THE SPORTS ETHICS INSTITUTETHE SPORTS ETHICS INSTITUTE