Morality, Ethics, and Human Rights: Key Concepts

Moral Latin *Morem*: Customs

• Ethics *Ethos*: Customs
• Both terms refer to the science of morals.

• Moral: The set of behavioral standards and values that govern a society at a given time.
• Ethics: Theoretical reflection on the behaviors and norms that shape moral values.

Moral Act

These are actions that can be approved or rejected by society. They must be performed consciously and voluntarily.

• Immoral: Disagreement with moral norms.
• Amoral: Indifferent to moral standards.

Moral Values

Qualities possessed by human actions according to whether they advance the subject in the process of humanization.

Countervalues

They are unfavorable and considered negative.

• E. Purpose: Human beings have a specific purpose in life.
• E. Duty: Seeking ways to ensure that moral standards are universal and mandatory for all.

Happiness for Aristotle

The practice itself is more important.

Moral Virtues

Forces that lead human beings to act in ways that achieve the desired outcome.

Epicureanism

Pleasure by means of reason and prudence.

Categorical Imperative

A mandate that must be met unconditionally.

Existentialism

A philosophical current with differing views among authors; therefore, it is not a unified doctrine.

• P. Justice: Primary goods should be distributed with reference to the interests of the disadvantaged.
• P. Difference: Inequities in the distribution of goods may exist to benefit the underprivileged.

Communicative Ethics

It establishes rules intended to find a procedure for assessing standards that have universal validity.

For Habermas Discourse

• Any subject capable of speech and statement may participate in the discourse.
• Anyone can question any assertion.
• Anyone can make any statement in the speech.
• Anyone can express their wants, needs, and purposes.

Iusnaturalismo

A legal doctrine that interprets the law based on the existence of natural law.

Natural Rights

• Universal: Must be respected by everyone.
• Immutable: Do not change.
• Positive: Can change within a country according to the governing body.
• Fundamental: Rights that we all have by virtue of being human.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Arms control, death penalty, torture and terror, hunger, education.

Democracy: Direct vs. Indirect

• Democracy is a political system of government.
• Direct: The people exercise their sovereignty directly.
• Representative: The people are represented.

Democracy

• Representation
• Government
• Legitimation
• Absolute: Obtaining at least half or more than half of the seats.
• Simple: Obtaining more seats than any other single party.