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Lecturer(s)
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Franc Jaroslav, doc. Mgr. Th.D.
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Štverák Michal, ThLic. Ph.D.
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Polák Jan, ThLic. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course Ethical Dilemmas introduces students to situations in which an individual or group of people faces a decision between two or more options that have moral consequences; choosing one of these options may be difficult or uncomfortable. Students are therefore guided towards developing the competences required to understand and weigh values, to identify and apply moral principles, and to consider the consequences of action. Ethical dilemmas will be examined in the contexts of the workplace, healthcare, science, education, politics, and personal relationships. Students will become familiar with the main features of ethical dilemmas, such as conflicts between values, uncertain outcomes, the subjective dimension of decision-making, and moral decision-making. Students will therefore be introduced to the basic principles and stages involved in resolving dilemmas. These include gathering relevant information; identifying values and moral principles; recognising conflicts of values; considering all available options; assessing the possible consequences of a decision; consultation; the moment of decision; subsequent monitoring of the situation; reflection on the decision and practice; and accepting responsibility for the decision made. Ethical dilemmas are presented as complex problems that must very often be addressed on the basis of insufficient information and under time pressure. Course content: 1. Basic ethical concepts and the nature of an ethical dilemma 2. The process of moral decision-making, free will, and freedom of choice 3. The morality of human action and the sources of right action 4. The relationship between ethics and law; types of law: natural, positive, moral, and eternal 5. Virtue ethics 6. Deontology 7. Utilitarianism 8. Ethics of justice 9. Ethics of care
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Group work
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Learning outcomes
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- Acquire and use accurately the fundamental ethical concepts of **good**, norm, conscience, virtue, and the distinction between ethics and morality. - Understand the structure of the moral decision-making process, from identifying a dilemma through to action and subsequent reflection. - Critically assess the question of free will and its relationship to moral responsibility for one's actions. - Be able to analyse the morality of a specific act in terms of its object, intention, and circumstances. - Distinguish among the sources of right actionreason, conscience, authority, and traditionand understand their mutual relationships. - Explain the relationship between custom, morality, and law, and distinguish among the different types of law: natural, positive, moral, and eternal. - Compare and critically evaluate five major ethical theoriesvirtue ethics, deontology, utilitarianism, justice, and care ethicsincluding the objections raised against them. - Independently apply the theories acquired to specific ethically controversial dilemmas and defend one's own reasoned position both orally and in writing.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Oral exam
Students organize their studies according to the instructions of the course guarantor and instructor; they attend lectures and seminars and complete ongoing as well as long-term assignments. Student requirements: active participation in class, completion of the final exam.
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Recommended literature
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Arno Anzenbacher. (2001). Úvod do etiky.
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Jan Patočka. (1991). Sókratés: přednášky z antické filosofie.
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Jan Sokol. (2014). Etika, život, instituce: Pokus o praktickou filosofii.
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Martin Cajthaml. (2023). Přednášky z etiky.
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Michael Sandel. (2015). Spravedlnost: Co je správné dělat.
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Platón. (2015). Prótagoras.
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Rushworth M. Kidder. (2009). How Good People Make Tough Choices Rev Ed: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living.
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