12. Moral Philosophy

Question 1

4 Questions Moral Philosophy tries to ask

Answer 1

1. Can we derive “ought” from “is”?
2. Does “right” take priority over “good”?
3. Does “good” take priority over “right”?
4. What is negative causation/responsibility?

Question 2

Moral Philosophy in Ancient Greece

Answer 2

trying to answer the questions, “how can I take care of my soul?” or “how can I be a good person to my full potential?”

Plato: We are made for harmony, beauty, JUSTICE. True happiness
Aristotle: We are made for living well. (Eudaimonia)

Question 3

Teleology

Answer 3

the explanation of phenomena in terms of the purpose they serve rather than of the cause by which they arise.
The study of ends or purposes

Question 4

St. Augustine (influenced by Plato)

Answer 4

Christians live in the metaphysical ‘City of God’. Nothing should be enjoyed just for the sake of pleasure, so if you take pleasure in anything that isn’t God, you’re sinning. The purpose of living is to head home – the eternal, so you can’t try to take delight on the way.

Question 5

St. Thomas Aquinas (influenced by Aristotle)

Answer 5

DERIVING OUGHT FROM IS.

Human Morality is grounded in (GOD’S) NATURAL LAW! Natural Law entitles us to derive “ought” from “is” through natural reason. (ex. preserve human life, sexual union only between men/female)

Question 6

Two modern perspectives on the Moral Project.

Answer 6

1. Deontology: Right takes priority over good
2. Utilitarianism: Good takes priority over right

Question 7

Deontology:

Answer 7

Morality is Grounded in the Concept of (Rational) Law.
“Duty is the necessity of an action from respect for law.”

Question 8

How do we discern what is wrong according to Kant?

Answer 8

It’s you making an exception for yourself when you expect the world to act a certain way.

Question 9

Utilitarianism

Answer 9

Morality is about CONSEQUENCES: maximizing ‘good’ outcomes and/or reducing ‘bad’ outcomes.

Question 10

Consequentialism: Doing and Allowing.
What’s the difference?

Answer 10

As a bystander would you pull the lever to cause the trolly to kill 1 person or should you leave the trolly and let it kill the 5? (Allowing) difference between what you would do and what you should do. There is a difference between right and good. Killing 1 to save the many promotes the good and morality is about promoting the good.

Utilitarians won’t kill the fat man because they want the world to be a better place, and the fat people being afraid of going across bridges is not making the world a better place. Utilitarians take negative consequences and actions more seriously.