Paying Attention to Values

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Chapter 3 Paying Attention to Values
Moral issues arise from conflicting or unclear
moral values Definitions Values and Moral
Values What are values? Those things we care
about Those things that matter to us Those goals
or ideals to which we aspire and by which we
measure ourselves or others or our
society. Examples Good, bad, aesthetic,
scientific, instrumental, moral, etc.
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Definitions Values and Moral Values What are
moral values? Moral values are a subset to
values Moral values are those values that give
voice to the needs and legitimate expectations
of others as well as ourselves Examples
fairness, trustworthiness, the well-being of
others and the world, justice Morality is not
opposed to the self rather, it puts the self
into context and highlights the needs of others.
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Definitions Values and Moral Values Legitimate
expectations Respect and as equals Rights
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
speech, property, etc. Also, legitimately expect
each other to act responsibly, keep promises, and
so forth. Character Moral values give voice to
needs and expectations.
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Morality and Self-Interest Moral values are those
values that give voice to the needs and
legitimate expectations of others as well as
ourselves Ourselves and our needs are built into
the definition of morality. However, your own
needs cannot be the whole story. Contrary to
the bumper sticker It is all about me, so deal
with it. Pure egoism, not a moral position
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Morality and Self-Interest Psychological egoism
paying only attention to the needs and
expectations of others for our own sakes and what
we can gain from it. Social beings Not
self-sacrifice Ethical egoism must defend
itself by reference to standards that go beyond
the self. Capitalism Everyone is better
off Habit and inattention

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Guidelines Moral Debates and questions to
ask What needs and legitimate expectations both
your own and others are at stake here? What
needs and legitimate expectations are the parties
to this debate trying to speak for? Respond by
research and/or exploration Expect Diversity All
of us hold many moral values Look at a newspaper
article Minimum wage Fairness to employees and
employers Dignity Survival Independence
Social benefits Stakeholders?

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Guidelines Look in Depth Many different values
also come up within each issue, quite apart from
the others. Look thoroughly into all the values
and interests involved. Be Fair Annoying, work,
thinking, maybe. Open mind, yes. Explain and
Clarify Look at each situation since it may be
more complex than it appears on the surface. Ask
questions and look for distinctions. Dont
Downgrade Emotion Value are the things we care
about. Care is an emotion. Pure emotion is
incorrect, no facts at all, just a
feeling Speak/write carefully, listen
sympathetically, and provide relevant values that
is measured but strong.

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The Great American Desert, page 58 Exercises and
Notes, page 64