Free Printable Worksheets for learning Ethics at the College level

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ETHICS

Introduction

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that focuses on determining what is right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. It explores how individuals and societies can make moral choices in a complex world.

Key Concepts

Moral reasoning

The process of evaluating and making ethical decisions based on a set of moral principles and values.

Ethical theories

Frameworks that provide a systematic way of understanding moral issues and guiding moral decision-making. Examples include consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics.

Moral relativism

The view that moral concepts such as right and wrong, good and bad, vary depending on the culture, individual, or situation.

Moral absolutism

The view that moral concepts are universal and unchanging, and apply regardless of the culture, individual, or situation.

Ethical dilemmas

Situations that present a choice between two or more moral imperatives, where following one would lead to a violation of another.

Important Information

Applied Ethics

The application of ethical theories and principles to specific issues such as bioethics (medical ethics), business ethics, and environmental ethics.

Metaethics

An investigation of the nature of moral concepts, language, and thought. It aims to clarify the meaning and justification of moral claims.

Ethics and Law

While ethics and law are related, they are not the same. Laws are based on societal values, but not all ethical issues are addressed by laws, and not all laws are ethical.

Takeaways

Ethics involves evaluating what is right and wrong, good and bad, and just and unjust. There are different ethical theories and interpretations of morality, and ethical dilemmas can arise in various contexts. Understanding ethical principles and concepts can help you navigate complex dilemmas and make informed moral decisions.

Here's some sample Ethics vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word	Definition
Morality	Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.
Integrity	The quality of being honest, having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
Honesty	The quality of being truthful and straightforward in attitude and speech.
Virtue	A behavior showing high moral standards.
Conscience	An inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.
Empathy	The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Accountability	The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
Impartiality	Treating all parties, persons, and all affected equally and not showing favoritism.
Transparency	Operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed.
Civility	Politeness and courtesy, in behavior or speech.
Respect	A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Justice	Just behavior or treatment.
Tolerance	The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
Professionalism	The competence or skill expected of a professional.
Equality	The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Empirical	Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
Conduct	The manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context.
Diligence	Careful and persistent work or effort.
Impunity	Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
Altruism	The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Here's some sample Ethics study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Ethics Study Guide

Introduction to Ethics

Definition of ethics
Why study ethics?
The branches of ethics
The history of ethics

Ethical Theories

Deontological Ethics
Teleological Ethics
Virtue Ethics

Moral Reasoning and Decision Making

Steps of moral reasoning
The role of ethics in decision making
Applying ethical theories to real-life scenarios

Ethical Issues in Society

Abortion
Euthanasia
Capital punishment
Animal rights
Environmental ethics

Ethics in Professional Settings

Business ethics
- Ethical challenges in the workplace
- Corporate social responsibility
Medical ethics
- Patient autonomy and informed consent
- Confidentiality and privacy
- End-of-life care
Legal ethics
- Attorney-client privilege
- Conflicts of interest
- Professional responsibility

Conclusion

Ethics in everyday life
The importance of ethical behavior in society
The impact of ethical decision-making

Here's some sample Ethics practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Ethics Practice Sheet

Problem 1

Consider the following case: A man steals food from a grocery store because he cannot afford it and his family is starving. Is stealing in this instance morally justified?

Problem 2

Two coworkers have a disagreement about how to complete a project. One suggests completing the project by cutting corners to meet the deadline, while the other suggests putting in extra time to ensure the project is completed correctly. What ethical considerations should each coworker consider when making their decision?

Problem 3

A doctor fails to provide proper treatment to a patient, resulting in the patient experiencing health complications. What ethical principles has the doctor violated, and what action should be taken to address this violation?

Problem 4

A company decides to outsource labor to a foreign country in order to cut costs, but the workers in that country do not receive adequate pay or working conditions. Is it ethical to outsource labor in this situation? What ethical principles should be considered when making this decision?

Problem 5

A group of friends is at a restaurant and one friend suggests leaving without paying the bill. The other friends disagree and are uncomfortable with the suggestion. What ethical principles are at play in this situation, and how should the friends address the suggestion?

Problem 6

A company with a history of sexist hiring practices is looking to hire a new employee. Should they be required to prioritize hiring a woman to address their history of discrimination, even if a man is more qualified for the position? What ethical principles are at play in this decision?

Problem 7

A politician accepts campaign donations from a corporation and later votes in favor of legislation that benefits that corporation. Is this a violation of ethical principles? What ethical principles should be considered in this situation?

Problem 8

A student is asked to write a paper on a controversial topic, but their personal beliefs are in opposition to the topic they are assigned. What ethical considerations should the student take into account when deciding how to approach the assignment?

Problem 9

A teacher has personal biases against certain students and provides them with lower grades than they deserve. What ethical principles has the teacher violated, and what action should be taken to address this violation?

Problem 10

A group of friends is discussing whether or not to share a classmate's confidential information with others. What ethical principles are at play in this situation, and how should the friends address the discussion?

Sample Practice Problem in Ethics

Problem

A student is considering whether to lie to their professor in order to receive a higher grade on an assignment.

Step-by-Step Solution

Consider the potential consequences of lying to the professor.
- What could be the consequences of being caught in the lie?
- What could be the consequences of not being caught in the lie?
Consider the potential consequences of not lying to the professor.
- What could be the consequences of not receiving a higher grade on the assignment?
Consider the moral implications of lying to the professor.
- Is it wrong to lie to someone in a position of authority?
- Is it wrong to lie in general?
Consider the potential benefits of lying to the professor.
- What could be the benefits of receiving a higher grade on the assignment?
Consider the potential benefits of not lying to the professor.
- What could be the benefits of maintaining a sense of integrity?
Consider the potential costs of lying to the professor.
- What could be the costs of being caught in the lie?
- What could be the costs of not being caught in the lie?
Consider the potential costs of not lying to the professor.
- What could be the costs of not receiving a higher grade on the assignment?
Consider the ethical implications of lying to the professor.
- Is it ethical to lie to someone in a position of authority?
- Is it ethical to lie in general?
Make a decision based on the considerations above.

Practice Problems in Ethics

Problem 1

A student is considering whether to cheat on a test in order to receive a higher grade.

Problem 2

A student is considering whether to plagiarize an essay in order to receive a higher grade.

Problem 3

A student is considering whether to lie to their professor in order to receive a higher grade on an assignment.

Problem 4

A student is considering whether to steal from a classmate in order to receive a higher grade on an assignment.

Problem 5

A student is considering whether to bribe their professor in order to receive a higher grade on an assignment.

Practice Sheet for Learning Ethics

What is the definition of ethics?
What is the relationship between morals and ethics?
What is the difference between ethical behavior and legal behavior?
What is utilitarianism and how is it related to ethical decision making?
What is the difference between a consequentialist and non-consequentialist ethical theory?
What is the difference between an individualistic and a collectivist ethical system?
What is the concept of ethical relativism and how is it applied in ethical decision making?
What is the difference between an ethical dilemma and an ethical decision?
What are the principles of ethical decision making?
What is the role of ethical codes in ethical decision making?

Here's some sample Ethics quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Ethics Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question to the best of your ability.

Problem	Answer
Define the term utilitarianism.	The ethical theory that actions are morally right if they result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
What is the golden rule of ethics?	The principle of treating others as you would like to be treated.
What is the difference between deontological and consequentialist ethical theories?	Deontological theories focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, while consequentialist theories focus on the outcomes or consequences of actions.
Explain the concept of virtue ethics.	The ethical theory that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits such as honesty, courage, and compassion.
What is the categorical imperative in Kantian ethics?	The principle that one should always treat others as ends in themselves, and not merely as means to an end.
Explain the concept of ethical relativism.	The idea that moral principles are relative to a particular culture or society and that there is no objective moral truth.
Define the term moral absolutism.	The belief that there are certain moral principles that are universally true and apply to all individuals, regardless of culture or society.
What is the difference between natural law and positive law?	Natural law refers to moral principles that are inherent in the nature of human beings and the world, while positive law refers to laws that are created by human authority.
Explain the concept of social contract theory.	The idea that individuals give up some of their individual freedoms to a government or authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights and liberties.
What is the difference between conscience and consciousness?	Conscience refers to a person's innate sense of right and wrong, while consciousness refers to a person's state of awareness.

Problem	Answer
What is the main purpose of ethical inquiry?	The main purpose of ethical inquiry is to seek understanding and guidance in making decisions about how to act in morally significant situations.
What is the difference between normative and descriptive ethics?	Normative ethics is concerned with developing and evaluating moral theories and principles, while descriptive ethics is concerned with describing and understanding how people actually think and behave in moral situations.
What is the difference between deontology and consequentialism?	Deontology is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral rules, regardless of the consequences, while consequentialism is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of producing the best possible outcomes.
What is the difference between moral relativism and moral objectivism?	Moral relativism is the belief that moral values are relative to the individual or culture, while moral objectivism is the belief that moral values are absolute and universal.
What is the difference between virtue ethics and utilitarianism?	Virtue ethics is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, while utilitarianism is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of producing the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.
What is the difference between moral egoism and altruism?	Moral egoism is the belief that one should act in one's own self-interest, while altruism is the belief that one should act in the interests of others.
What is the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?	Act utilitarianism is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of making decisions that produce the best possible outcomes in each individual situation, while rule utilitarianism is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules that produce the best possible outcomes in the long run.
What is the difference between moral realism and moral subjectivism?	Moral realism is the belief that moral values are objectively true and valid, while moral subjectivism is the belief that moral values are subjective and relative.
What is the difference between divine command theory and natural law theory?	Divine command theory is the belief that moral values are determined by God, while natural law theory is the belief that moral values are determined by the laws of nature.
What is the difference between ethical egoism and ethical hedonism?	Ethical egoism is the belief that one should act in one's own self-interest, while ethical hedonism is the belief that one should act in order to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Quiz on Ethics at the College Level

Question	Answer
What is the definition of ethics?	Ethics is the branch of philosophy that focuses on the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of actions.
What is the difference between ethics and morality?	Ethics is concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior, while morality is concerned with the beliefs and values that guide our behavior.
What is the Golden Rule?	The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated.
What is utilitarianism?	Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that states that the best action is the one that maximizes the overall good for the greatest number of people.
What is a moral dilemma?	A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person must choose between two or more courses of action, each of which is morally wrong or unacceptable.
What is virtue ethics?	Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of character and virtue in moral decision making.
What is the difference between consequentialism and deontology?	Consequentialism is an ethical theory that focuses on the consequences of an action, while deontology is an ethical theory that focuses on the moral principles or duties that govern an action.
What is the difference between ethical relativism and ethical absolutism?	Ethical relativism is the belief that ethical principles are relative to the individual or culture, while ethical absolutism is the belief that there are universal ethical principles that apply to all people in all situations.
What is the difference between corporate social responsibility and corporate ethics?	Corporate social responsibility is the practice of businesses taking responsibility for their actions and their impact on society, while corporate ethics is the study of moral principles and values that guide the behavior of businesses.
What is the difference between law and ethics?	Law is a set of rules and regulations that must be followed, while ethics is a set of moral principles that guide our behavior.