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Common morality defined
The system of basic rules that thoughtful people use (usually implicitly) when they make moral decisions and judgments.
Gert, Common Morality (p. 4)
Gert’s “Decalogue”the norms of common morality
Part 1: protection against basic harms
• [1] Do not kill• [2] Do not cause pain• [3] Do not disable• [4] Do not deprive of freedom• [5] Do not deprive of pleasure
Part 1: basic norms
• Life is precarious and fragile
• We are at risk of injury and interference from others
• Individual interests may tend to collide and conflict
• Morality as “reminders:”• Limits on our actions• Boundaries of the lives of
others
all negative prohibitions
Baseline of human vulnerabilities
Most serious forms of harm
Vulnerability to death -- conflict Implicit exceptions:
self –defense?
George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin Implicit exceptions:
self –defense?
Basic Norms of Part 1• Create an expectation of compliance
• Establish a tacit pattern of reasoning and justification:
• All things being equal, rational agents should act as the basic norms demand…..
• Unless circumstances require otherwise.
• Burden of proof for claiming exceptional circumstances
• Importance of protections rarity of exceptions
Toyota recall – lethal accelerator pedal defects (2010)
Government orders mandatory recall
Indicates organizations (like corporations)can be held to the norms of common morality
Do Not Kill
Do Not Cause Pain
Gert’s “Decalogue”part 2
• Part 2: basic qualities of human• relationships
• [6] Do not deceive• [7] Keep your promises• [8] Do not cheat• [9] Obey the law• [10] Do your duty.
Part 2 norms: “survival conditions” of human transactionsLegal institution of contract stems for this basic moral expectation
Basic norms of Part 2
Appropriate forms of human relationships
dependence on trust and honesty
human social vulnerabilities
Lance Armstrong, 7-time Tour de France winnerPlaying by the rules?Honesty?
Diana Nyad, marathon swimmerPlaying by the rules?Honesty?
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee BrewersPlaying by the rules?Honesty?
Using PED’s is justified if everybody is doing itPlaying by the rules?Honesty?
Appeal to competition?
Alex Rodriguez, NY Yankees
Obey the law.
Establishes general expectation in favor of law abiding conduct.
Obey the law.
Civil disobedience as a principled means of protesting an unjust law.
Rosa ParksMontgomery, AL1955
Do your duty.
Point of “articulation” with role morality and the norms of organizations
For the sake of society’s order and well being…. perform the duties and functions of your various roles
Do your duty.
Appeals to role can create legitimate exceptions to
basic moral norms Parent: “grounding” a child legitimate exception? Do not disable Do not cause pain Do not deprive of freedom
Do your duty.
Attorney: concealing knowledge of client’s guilt impeaching victim’s credibility
during cross examination
Duty of confidentialityDuty of zealous advocacy for client egitimate exceptions to moral norms?
Do your duty.
Business practitioner: personal gain Can this establish legitimate exceptions to the
norms of common morality? The Broker The Widow
The “structure” of moral reasoning and decision
basic behavioral norms (Gert’s “common morality”)
intermediate practical principles (Rachels’ “What is morality?)
specific ethical decisions and judgments