Presentation Transcript

1. “There are two things that fascinate me most: the starry heavens above me and the ethical law within me.” -Immanuel Kant
2. First, How to Take Notes Please try, instead of simply copying each slide, simply listening to what I say, thinking of the main point I am trying to make (Inductive and Deductive reasoning) and writing down only that. If this is not sufficient for you, feel free to print out the presentations from the internet.

3. What is Ethics?

4. So Far- We have discussed philosophy in general We have discussed philosophy and perspective We have discussed philosophy and epistemology through “Anthem” and To Kill a Mockingbird “Anthem” discussed how society defines the individual and the ego To Kill a Mockingbird discussed how society defines sin and justice We wrote a definition essay Now we are going to discuss Ethics while reading another novella and two plays
5. Branches of philosophy
6. Thinking Exercises/Skills

7. What is Ethics?

8. The study of right and wrong

   From the Greek work “ethos” meaning “character”
9. Three Branches of Ethics Normative Ethics: ethicaltheory Meta-Ethics: how we understand, know about, and mean when we talk about ethical theory Applied Ethics: how moral outcomes can be achieved in specific situations
10. Normative ethics/ethical theory Stoicism: Epictetus felt peace of mind was the greatest good; mastery over one’s desires and emotional states Epicureanism: Pleasure, correctly understood, will coincide with virtue Hedonism: Maximize pleasure and minimize pain Cyrenaic Hedonism: Immediate pleasure, “Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Consequentialism: A morally right action is one that produces a morally right outcome
11. Utilitarianism: An ethical course of action is one that utilizes overall happiness State Consequentialism: An ethical course of action that benefits the state Deontology: Ethics are based on motives and not on the act itself Pragmatic Ethics: Ethics that use science to justify
12. Why is this a fickle area of study? Who decides right and wrong?

13. First, let’s take a step back

14. The history of ethics: At first human beings did not occupy ourselves with ethical issues: right and wrong. Instead it was either alive or dead. Our survival depended on our ability to choose between these two things. As civilized societies were formed governments and religions became the source of ethical expectations. Ethic’s link to religion is why it is controversial to teach it in public school. However, not teaching ethics at all creates a society of individuals who don’t know how to questions ethical situations and choose correctly. Instead it turns into a alive or dead issue. Are we moving backward?
15. Do you think we should teach ethics in school? Should we preach it? What are the consequences if we do teach ethics in school? What are the consequences if we don’t?
16. Ethics is Ethics is a branch of philosophy that concerns itself with right and wrong It exercises the brain in many ways: Analytically: you have to access all perspectives of a situation in order to know the reality as best as possible Deductive Reason: taking a general law of ethics like “don’t kill” and applying it to a specific instance Critically thinking: taking all you have analyzed, what you have deduced, and decided what is the right or wrong thing to do Inductive Reasoning: taking a specific ethical experience and developing a general rule to follow- this often changes our perspective
17. So It’s functions as a great launch pad to exercise your brain and make it stronger It also helps discern your critical thinking skills so you can make better ethical decisions I your life

18. Why study ethics along side literature? Literature isn’t even real.

19. Why discuss ethics along with Literature? Studying ethics along with literature makes sense in general because it allows us to analyze ethically complicated scenarios in a safe fictional atmosphere that has pretend consequences. The conclusions we gather from this studying we can take to real-life situations. Steinbeck puts forth a lot of situations that bring up questions of right and wrong; therefore, in order to understand his writing fully, it makes sense to understand ethics too.
20. At the University level: This subject is studied extensively Business ethics Environmental ethics Law and ethics Political ethics Bioethics Applied ethics Ethical Advertising Medical Ethics

21. What will we be reading to study ethics?

22. Grobsteinbeck

23. TWO Ways to Approach Literature Entertainment: Many times the purpose behind a piece of literature is to entertain the reader. For example, the author uses different literary devices to entice feelings in the reader so they are involved in the story emotionally. Reading can make people feel happy, sad, suspense, fear, etc. Didactically: Sometimes, even though the purpose behind a piece of literature is to entertain, it is used to simply teach. We use literature in English class to exercise our analytical and critical thinking skills or to initiate discussion.
24. Steinbeck and his Literary and Historical Existence He lived during The Great Depression (Historical Event that is also considered a Historical Period). He wrote during the literary period called Modernism (1914-1945): This period is defined by individual struggle and point of view influenced by economic hardship, new research in psychology, and innovations in technology.
25. What did Steinbeck Write About? He lived in California and wrote about the migrant farm workers, the economic struggle there, his own experiences. Politically he was very liberal but he was not liked by the liberal left because he had sons in the military and supported them and worked as a reporter for the military. He was not liked by the right because he supported big government. Many people felt his politics were contradictory. His novels reflected his politics.
26. Did this influence how he was received as a Writer? His political ambiguity caused some of his novels to be banned. Today, however, one of his novels, the one we will be reading next, is the most widely read novel in high schools. He eventually was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for literature for his “realistic and imaginative writing, combining as it does sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” Now he is considered one of American Literatures greatest writers of all time.
27. STEINBECK’S LEGACY Amazing character development. Established a definitive point of view for each character. Truly knew the setting (time and place) creating a sense of realism matched by no other author. Very realistic approach to writing that still marvels both readers and writers.

28. “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck

    Published in 1937
29. The Title of the Novella Robert Burns poem from 1785 about a farmer accidentally turning over a mouse’s nest. “But little Mouse, you are not alone,In proving foresight may be vain:The best laid schemes of mice and menGo often askew,And leave us nothing but grief and pain,For promised joy!”
30. The Characters and the Setting Two main characters: Lennie Small (slow but strong) and George Milton (smart and cynical) They are migrant farm workers always on the move in Salinas, California during the Great Depression (1929-1940ish). They are dreamers. They are “good” people. (Ethics) They are misunderstood. (struggle/hardship/psychological struggle)
31. The Plot They show up to a new farm to work and we meet the various people they will be living among. The interaction of the different characters as a result of their odd traits perpetuates the plot forward. They are also trying to escape their past.
32. The Themes Loneliness Powerlessness Fraternity Predatory nature of human existence Perspective
33. Conclusion The Title The Characters The Plot The Themes Point-of-View