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Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You

Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You. Chapter 2 Ethics in Our Law. Lesson 2.3 . How Is Ethics Expressed in Our Laws?. 2.3 How Is Ethics Expressed in Our Laws?. Goals: Explain how our laws reflect ethics based on consequences and ethics based on reasoning

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Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You

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  1. Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You Chapter 2 Ethics in Our Law

  2. Lesson 2.3 How Is Ethics Expressed in Our Laws?

  3. 2.3 How Is Ethics Expressed in Our Laws? • Goals: • Explain how our laws reflect ethics based on consequences and ethics based on reasoning • Discuss why we are obligated to obey laws 3

  4. Our Laws Reflect Ethics Based on Consequences • In the U.S., people determine the laws • Elect representatives to lawmaking bodies • Majority rule prevails • System uses many features of consequences-based ethics • Laws are judged to be right/good when they affect the majority in a positive manner and vice-versa 4

  5. Our Laws Reflect Ethics Based on Consequences • Congress was created by our federal Constitution to ensure that our federal lawmaking system reflects the wants of the people • Two bodies elected by citizens: • House of Representatives • Senate • Promotes ethical reasoning based on consequences 5

  6. Our Laws Reflect Rule-Based Ethics • The laws desired by the majority sometimes conflict with moral rights • The majority may sometimes benefit from unjust laws • Under the U.S. Constitution, the laws would be declared invalid • Deny “equal protection of the law” • Civil rights are recognized and guaranteed by our Constitution 6

  7. Other Ethical Goals Reflected in Our Laws • There is a need for a consistent rule to assure order and predictability • Can be arbitrary • Grade cut-offs • Speed limits • Rule must be communicated inadvance and applied consistently 7

  8. Why are We Obligated to Obey Laws? • Ethical reasoning demands it • Consequences-based reasoning: when the law is violated, more people are injured than are benefited • Rule-based reasoning: if we have agreed to obey the law, we have made a promise 8

  9. Why are We Obligated to Obey Laws? • We consent to be governed by laws • Integrity—the capacity to do what is right even in the face of temptation or pressure to do otherwise • If you accept the benefits of a society that makes laws, you must obey the laws • Education, police protection, safe roads, social security, protection from foreign enemies 9

  10. Why are We Obligated to Obey Laws? • We want to avoid punishment • Some people who are convicted of crimes may be barred from certain jobs • Fidelity bonds: an insurance policy that pays the employer money in case of theft by employees 10

  11. Are We Ever Justified in Violating the Law? • Unjust law—a law one believes is in conflict with ethical reasoning • Civil disobedience—an open, peaceful, violation of a law to protest its alleged injustice • Scofflaws—people who don’t respect the law; they take the risk of being caught 11

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