The Scope of Ethics

Abstract

Ethics as Sidgwick understands it is ‘the science or study of what is right or what ought to be, so far as this depends upon the voluntary action of individuals’ (ME p. 4). Science here means a systematic study, which seeks to attain precise knowledge (see ME p. 1). But unlike such sciences as psychology or sociology, ethics deals not with mere facts, but with norms of action, expressed in terms of ‘ought’ or ‘right’. Some believe that ethics also deals with virtues, or a moral evaluation of a person’s character, rather than his or her actions; but one’s character is known to us only through his or her acts; and we usually do not separate an evaluation of someone’s character from that of his or her behavior (ME Bk. 1 Ch. 9 p. 113 fn. 1). Therefore, the primary subject of ethics is considered to be an individual’s actions. Another study that treats norms is politics; but unlike politics, which deals with the decision-making of a government, ethics deals with the actions of an individual. Thus Sidgwick’s primary concern is with individual decision-making, but he does not distinguish between individual acts done in public and those done in private.¹