American Social Values Prof. Dennis P. McCann, CRRS Lecturer

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American Social Values(Prof. Dennis P. McCann,
CRRS Lecturer)

• Outline of Topic
• American Social Values Description
• American Social Values Evaluating Strengths and
  Weaknesses
• A Brief Note on Methodology Ethics and American
  Pragmatism
• Purpose of this Discussion in China Comparative
  Ethics and the Need for Mutual Learning

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American Social Values Description (1)

• SELF OTHER
• BASIC Self-Reliance Fair Play
• POSTURE
• KEY MORAL Honesty Promise
• VIRTUE Keeping

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American Social Values Description (2)

• Self Society
• Feeling Spontaneity Voluntary
• Association
• Acting Improvisation Flexibility
• Thinking Challenge Encourage Authority Qu
  estioning

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American Social Values Description (3)

• Self Society
• Economic Reward Based Be a Good
• and Social on Merit Sport
• Political Distrust Support Style Big Local
  
• Government Community

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American Social Values Evaluation (1)

• Social Values Strengths Weaknesses
• Personal Innovative, Brink of
• Freedom Self-Organizing Anarchy
• Social Open and Superficial,
• Relationships Friendly Transient

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American Social Values Evaluation (2)

• Social Values Strengths Weaknesses
• Family Values Egalitarian, Erosion of
• Consensual, Authority,
• Experimental Dysfunctional
• Work Ethic Personal Indifference
• Achievement to Social
• Honored Solidarity

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American Social Values Methodology

• What is the Study of Social Morality?
• Ethos and Ethics
• Descriptive and Normative Inquiry
• Is and Ought
• Contexts and Principles

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American Social Values Methodology (2)

• The Study of Context From Social Sciences
• Cultures
• Institutions/Organizations
• Social Practices
• Habits of the Heart
• Socialization (Becoming a
• Member of Society)

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American Social Values Methodology (3)

• The Study of Principles Philosophy of American
  Pragmatism (James and Dewey)
• Individuation (Becoming a Person)
• Feelings
• Beliefs/Convictions/Values
• Virtues and Obligations
• Moral Responsibility

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American SocialValues The Goals

• Everything is to be Understood
• Not Everything is to be Imitated.
• Social Practice -- Theory -- Ethical Praxis
• Understand Strengths in order to Overcome
• Weaknesses
• The Need for Mutual Learning