| | Identify the basic themes, topics, and concepts that make up the discipline of ethics. Explain the themes or ideas that unite the different ethical theories. The basic themes, topics, and concepts that make up the discipline of ethics are morality and virtue. Morality is “a particular system of values and principles of conduct, especially one held by a specified person or society” (Merriam-Webster). Virtue is a behavior showing high moral standards. A virtuous person will have the golden mean. The golden mean is “The middle, or mean, between two extremes” (Mosser, 2013). It is a choice in any ethical dilemma that every person needs to chose what is morally right from morally wrong. Every moral dilemma has a standard of value, which starts the process of evaluation. A themes or idea that unites the different ethical theories is relativism. Limiting smoking in public places, such as public buildings, restaurants, or city parks “Public health officials have long argued the bans are meant to eliminate dangers from secondhand, or “sidestream smoke,” reduce the environmental impact of cigarette butts and to keep young, impressionable children from picking up on bad habits” (Clune, 2013). Health is the number one reason why smoking has been banned in public places. The utilitarianism premise of promoting the greatest good for greatest amount of people goes hand in hand with the smoking ban in public areas. Tobacco use in public affects everybody's health that is in the area which goes completely against the greater good and utilitarianism. Clune, S. (2013, July 08). The Real Reason Behind Public Smoking Bans. Retrieved April 06, 2017, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/the-real-reasons-behind-public-smoking-bans/ Morality [Def. 2]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster Online, Retrieved April 6, 2017, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality. Mosser, K. (2013). Ethics and Social Responsibility. (2nd). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc |
