Element of Moral Philosophy FINAL

Terms in this set (73)

According to the author of the textbook, what makes a moral judgment 'true'?

if it is backed by better reasons than the alternatives

Despite its many shortcomings, cultural relativism is useful in reminding/warning us of something,..namely:

assuming that our own moral beliefs are based on a fully rational standard... Look up

The view that an action is right if one's culture approves of it is known as:

Cultural relativism.

Suppose culture X believes it is immoral to eat animal flesh. Culture Y disagrees. What follows from this fact?

both cultures must be wrong. Look up

Which of the following theories implies that there are no such things as 'moral facts'.

Why does the 'cultural differences argument' mentioned in the text fail?

what is actually the case may be different from what some people believe

Descriptive ethics is:

the study of how people actually behave and think about moral issues

The principle of universality demands that a moral statement that applies in one situation must apply in:

all other situations that are relatively similar

The philosophical study of morality is:

Which of the following is a logical implication of cultural relativism?

social reformers of any kind must be wrong

Subjective relativism is the view that we only have ethical obligations to our relatives and close friends.

Which of the following would be an argument offered in favor of harvesting and transplanting the organs of an anencephalic infant?

we can benefit someone without harming anyone else

Suppose Bob and Joe are arguing over a moral issue. At one point, Joe says, "well..what's right for you might not be right for me and vice versa." Which of the following views is he appealing to?

subjective relativism

Moral ______ is the view that some moral principles are universal or valid for everyone.

Mary judges the practice of suicide bombing to be morally wrong, but claims she isn't saying anything true or false,..just expressing her feelings or attitude towards it. Which theory best describes her judgment?

Considering the case of Baby Theresa, which of the following was offered as an argument against immediate transplant?

it is wrong to use people as a means to other people's ends

The first chapter of the text stresses two main points about morality. First, that moral judgments must be backed by good reasons, and secondly, that morality:

requires the impartial consideration of each individual's interests

Normative ethics is the study of:

the principles, rules, or theories that guide our actions and judgments

Descriptive Ethics

scientific study of moral beliefs and practices

explains how people actually behave and think when dealing with moral issues and arguments

Meta-Ethics is the study of

the meaning and logical structure of moral beliefs.

ex. HOW can a moral principle be justified?

Which of the following is a logical implication of subjective relativism (if it were true)?

individuals could never be wrong in their view of any moral issue

If cultural relativism were true, then any kind of 'moral progress' throughout history would be called into doubt.

The basic principle of Natural Law Theory is:

that natural laws are built into human nature

Which of the following is a common criticism of divine command theory?

there are multiple religions with different authoritative texts

According to Natural Law Theory, all of the following are basic human inclinations, except:

experience of sensory stimuli

Natural law theorists argue that conflicts between duties are possible, but claim that they can be resolved by applying what is known as the principle of:

The theory that God exists and is an absolute lawgiver is known as:

a. divine command theory
b. emotivism
c. utilitarianism
d. virtue theory

divine command theory

Which of the following is a common criticism of Natural Law Theory?

its worldview is not in accord with modern science

According to psychological egoism, all human action is motivated by:

Which moral theory claims that it may be morally right to kill an innocent person if it brings about the greater good for all involved?

If Bill argues that it is wrong to eat veal because the method of veal production causes calves to be kept in impoverished conditions that result in much suffering, then what moral principle is he appealing to?

the principle of utility

Jeremy Bentham argued that the capacity to suffer makes a being worthy of moral consideration.

Which of the following is a common criticism of utilitarianism?

we value things other than pleasure

The doctrine of double effect states that performing a good action may be permissible if it has bad effects that are unintended, but performing a bad action for achieving the purpose of good effects is never permissible.

What is a 'negative responsibility'?

responsibility for our non-action

Which theory would rule in favor of harvesting and transplanting the organs of an anencephalic infant?

If Divine Command Theory is interpreted as suggesting that God recognizes goodness and then commands it, God's commands become:

The idea that morality consists of rational rules governing behavior that people would accept, on the condition that others accept them as well, is known as:

(means no natural rights given to us by God of nature)

Social Contract Theory

Major Criticism of Social Contract theory

Unable to account for how we should treat certain groups that either have nothing to offer, not rational therefore cannot enter into contract

ex. nonhuman animals, powerless/oppressed populations, future generations

If Divine Command Theory is interpreted as suggesting that God recognizes goodness and then commands it, God's commands become:

The basic principle of utility is:

always maximize pleasure and minimize suffering

What is a maxim?

a possible moral rule

any kind of ethical theory based on duty or obligation to principles rather than consequences

Categorical imperative
(1st form)

tells us we should do something regardless of our wants and needs.

express a command
ex. do not steal

MUST be applied universally to a maxim in order for it to be morally acceptable

Jeremy Bentham thought that all human activity is shaped by:

pleasure and pain

According to Immanuel Kant, the only good thing in the world without qualification is a:

What is the following statement an example of? - "If you want to get accepted to law school, then you should study hard to pass the LSAT."

a hypothetical imperative

With which ethical theory would you associate the principle that 'X is good because X is capable of being rationally universalized?'

Immanuel Kant argued that it is always morally wrong to use a person against his or her will, whatever the circumstances.

As a theory, utilitarianism seems unconcerned with:

-individual rights
-consequences

Any ethical theory based on duty or obligation to principles rather than consequences is a ______________ theory.

a. Utilitarian
b. relativistic
c. teleological
d. none of these

According to Thomas Hobbes, a __________ is needed to overcome the state of nature and why?

social contract

Because he believed we were motivated by our desires & aversions

Psychological egoism

the view that the motive for all our actions is self-interest.

to promote our own welfare

(I feel better about myself ofr helpng others)

The State of Nature

a state of being where people are without any laws or government, before people come together to make any kind of social contract

Immanuel Kant argued that it is ultimately the consequences of an action that determine whether or not that action is right or wrong.

Which of the following is the second form of the categorical imperative?

a. Always maximize pleasure and minimize suffering
b. happiness is the ultimate end of life
c. none of these
d. a goodwill is the only good thing without qualification

Categorical Imperative
(2nd form)

Always treat others as ends in themselves, never as a means

wrong to "use someone against their will"
wrong to deceive/manipulate/force

Of the theories we've studied thus far, which one seems to give the most consideration to the treatment of nonhuman animals?

Name the four important concepts of Utilitarian Principles:

1. consequentialism- rightness of an action determined by its consequence

2. hedonism- identified w/ pleasures and absence of pain

3.Maximalism- greatest amount of good effects possible
4. Universalism- consequences considered as everyone invovled

The Principle of Equal Consideration

universalism, no persons/groups are any more important/valuable than another.
impartiality

Pros of Utilitarianism

1. difficult to deny reducing suffering is a good thing

2. hard to identify actions as either good or bad in themselves

3. irrational not to consider consequences of our actions

4. impartiality, rigid standard of equality

5. provides really clear solutions

Cons fo Utilitarianism

1. we may value other things than pleasure/happiness ---> creativity, love

2. ignores individual rights
that some circumstances allow to kill a human being

3. difficult to determine the exact consequences

4. too demanding to be moral saints

5. undemines personal relationships

Which of the following actions would probably NOT violate Kant's ethical principles?

non-violent protest

The Greek term for purpose or goal

telos, teleological or purposeful

What does Aristotle believe the purpose/goal of life is?

-Happiness

-our purpose is to use our reason because the rational life is the happiest life

-acquired through habit
-mastering practical knowledge

Greek term for Happiness?

Intellectual Virtue

-educational virtue that we can be taught without doing
-mastering theoretical knowledge

To possess a virtue a person must possess:

developed habit of rational choise between excess and deficiency

Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean

Deductive Argument

gives logically conclusive support to its conclusion

premises must be true and the conclusion must follow from them

Inductive Argument

offers probable support to its conclusion

works backwards: starts with the conclusion and then gives premises that support it

ex. 90% of men have a combined SAT score of 1400. Therefore, John probab;y has a combined SAT score over 1400

Moral Statement

also known as a Normative Statement

makes claims on how the world should be
ex. you ought to treat people the way you would like to be treated

Non-moral Statement

aka Descriptive Statement

describes the way things ARE
or what the case IS

ex. Sarah lied to John

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