Language B | Ethics

👋 Welcome to the "Ethics" Study Guide!

Hello future global citizen! This chapter, Ethics, is a fascinating but sometimes challenging part of the "Sharing the planet" theme. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first; we will break down complex moral issues into clear, manageable concepts.

Our Goal: To equip you with the language and conceptual understanding necessary to discuss, analyze, and debate major ethical challenges facing our global community, from environmental decisions to social justice issues. This is essential for success in all Language B assessments!

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Section 1: Defining Ethics in a Global Context

Before we analyze global problems, we need a common vocabulary. In the context of Language B, Ethics refers to the set of moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

What is the difference between Ethics and Morals?

While often used interchangeably, think of it this way:
1. Morals: Your personal rules about right and wrong (e.g., "I feel it is wrong to lie.")
2. Ethics: Shared, external rules, often professional or societal (e.g., "The journalism profession has a strict code of ethics regarding truthfulness.")

When we discuss the theme "Sharing the planet," we are focusing on Societal and Global Ethics—the rules we collectively decide are necessary to ensure a fair and sustainable world.

Key Concepts: The Ethical Toolkit

• Ethical Dilemma: A situation where a difficult choice must be made between two courses of action, both of which conflict with a moral principle. (Example: Do we prioritize economic growth or environmental protection?)
• Moral Obligation (or Duty): A belief that one is bound to perform a specific action, regardless of the consequences. (Example: Citizens have a moral obligation to vote.)
• Values: Principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life. (Key Language B connection: Understanding how different cultures prioritize different values—individualism vs. collectivism.)
• Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

Quick Takeaway: Ethics provides the framework for judging whether our actions (as individuals, groups, or countries) are right or wrong when dealing with shared global resources and challenges.

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Section 2: Ethics and "Sharing the Planet" – Key Domains

The biggest ethical questions under this theme relate to who benefits, who suffers, and who is responsible for global issues like climate change, poverty, and resource distribution.

1. Environmental Ethics (The Environment)

This domain asks: What is our moral responsibility toward the non-human world (animals, ecosystems, land) and future generations?

• Sustainability: An ethical commitment to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is a core ethical principle.
• Intergenerational Equity: The idea that people living today have a moral duty to preserve resources and a healthy environment for future generations.

  Analogy: Imagine your great-grandparents left you a beautiful, clean house. It is your moral duty to leave that house just as clean—or cleaner—for your great-grandchildren.

• The Ethics of Consumerism: Is it ethical for wealthier nations to consume resources at a rate that is disproportionate to their global population share? This often involves debating concepts like Ecological Footprint.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Do not confuse environmental *policy* (like carbon taxes) with environmental *ethics*. Ethics is the debate about *why* we should implement the policy (the moral rationale).

2. Social Ethics: Human Rights, Peace, and Equality

How do we ensure all inhabitants of the planet have access to a dignified life? This connects directly to the syllabus topics of Human Rights, Peace and Conflict, and Equality.

Focus on Equality vs. Equity

These terms are crucial for HL students analyzing complex social structures:

• Equality: Treating everyone *the same*, giving everyone the exact same resources or opportunities.
• Equity: Treating everyone *fairly*, recognizing that different people have different circumstances, and providing resources tailored to their needs to reach the same outcome.

Did you know? Ethical debates around global poverty often center on distributive justice—the fair allocation of goods, services, and responsibilities among diverse members of a society.

The Ethics of Conflict (Peace and Conflict)

Ethical questions arise when considering violence and war:

• When is intervention morally justified?
• What are the moral costs of maintaining peace through international cooperation?
• What are the ethical obligations of refugees and receiving nations?

3. Global Ethics (Globalization)

Globalization connects economies and cultures, creating new ethical challenges, especially concerning labor and data.

• Fair Trade Ethics: The moral push to ensure producers in developing countries receive fair prices for their goods, demanding transparency and better labor standards. The alternative is often criticized as exploitation.
• Ethical Supply Chains: Companies have an ethical responsibility to monitor where their products come from, ensuring they are not contributing to child labor, poor working conditions, or environmental damage.

Key Takeaway: Ethical debates under "Sharing the planet" always involve balancing competing needs: present vs. future, rich vs. poor, and human needs vs. ecological health.

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Section 3: Language Skills for Ethical Discussions

In Language B, you must not only understand ethical concepts but also be able to express these complex ideas clearly and persuasively, especially in your written and spoken arguments.

A. Essential Ethics Vocabulary (Use these!)

Using these words will instantly elevate your argument and show conceptual understanding:

• Verbs: to violate, to exploit, to prioritize, to justify, to uphold, to advocate, to reconcile.
• Nouns: conscience, transparency, accountability, dilemma, injustice, disparity, responsibility, stewardship (caring for the planet).
• Adjectives: morally sound, questionable, unjust, controversial, conscientious, indispensable.

B. Expressing Ethical Judgments (Crucial for Paper 1 & IO)

When writing or speaking about an ethical issue, use sophisticated structures to introduce and qualify your judgments:

To state a belief:

“It is indisputable that the ethical obligation lies with the consumer.”
“Many would argue that it is morally reprehensible to ignore global disparities.”

To discuss opposing views (HL Skill):

“While the government justifies the policy as necessary, critics argue that it violates basic human rights.”
“One must reconcile the need for economic growth with our stewardship of the environment.”

C. Step-by-Step for Analyzing an Ethical Text

When reading an article or listening to a debate on ethics, follow this process:

1. Identify the Conflict: What are the two (or more) competing values or duties? (e.g., Freedom vs. Security; Profit vs. Planet).
2. Identify the Stance: What position does the author or speaker take?
3. Identify the Justification: What evidence or moral rationale is used to support that stance? (e.g., citing a human rights treaty, or economic necessity).
4. Evaluate the Language: Note the use of emotive language (words intended to trigger strong feelings) used to sway the reader's moral judgment.

You've got this! By integrating this specific ethical vocabulary and focusing on the moral debates behind global issues, you will demonstrate the high level of conceptual understanding expected in Language B.