Posted: February 3rd, 2016

How do you explain the fact that morally evil people can be highly educated in terms of ethics and religion

This solution looks at whether a connection exists between having knowledge about ethics and acting ethically. The specific textbook questions are:

How do you explain the fact that morally evil people can be highly educated in terms of ethics and religion? In other words, how do you account for the gap that sometimes occurs between knowledge of ethics and being an ethical person?

The solution is 300 words and utilizes the example of an Army Sergeant who slaughtered more than a dozen villagers. He was quoted as saying his actions were just; as a form of “payback” for attacks. The analysis looks at how an educated individual, with what one would assume as a clear understanding of ethics – could act in such a manner.