{Monday, March 24} ETHICS NOTES

{Monday, March 24}

These are not complete notes.   Like a meandering river, the words below simply touch on what Dr. Larson mentioned.  We are talking about force here, we'll see what we can do.

USE OF FORCE

Two types of force:  LEGAL & MORAL

Force of Law:  before the action is taken

The threat of using force; there are three types:  

1.  reasonable force (to ensure action).  Example:  speed limit

2.  excessive force (capital punishment for speeding)

3.  deadly force (greater than what is expected); not morally justified

Criminal law in Minnesota

When can you use reasonable force?  609.---

1.  when making an arrest

2.  restraining someone who is committing a crime

3.  an action taken by a parent, teacher, or guardian

4.  a common carrier such as a bus, train, plane, etc.

5.  in restraint of someone who may have a mental illness from causing harm to themselves or others

USE OF DEADLY FORCE

Minnesota Law 609.065

(Not to protect property)

Larson's example in Mason City, Iowa where an antique collector was storing valuables in a barn but someone continued breaking in, so he mounted a spring-loaded double-barreled shotgun that automatically shot anyone breaking in.  Results:  a man was shot, sued the owner, and collected damages

Tort Law is Legal Law

Any unwanted touching is called battery or assault

Deontology 

Universal Moral Law (UML)

We can act to defend ourselves, force is justified- probably

Excessive force- probably not

The government may use force to protect individual rights

Geneva Convention lays out the rules for civilized warfare

morally justified to protect civilians

justified war:

1.  we must look for peace first

2.  we must use all non-violent alternatives first

3.  no unilateral use of force

4.  must end with reconstructive activity

TERRORISM

What is it?  Proactive use of violence toward non-combatants in order to bring about a political result

When are wars moral or immoral?

Moral Law:  

1.  is there an aggressor? (one who is using self-defense)

2.  can we limit the death toll for non-combatants?

3.  is there a breach of a treaty or a promise for appropriate action?