Application of Ethical Theories Flashcards
How does Natural Moral Law view theft?
It contradicts the primary principle of “living in an ordered society” as theft generally contributes to disorder.
Also breaks the secondary precept of “do not steal” and is supported by the biblical commandment that prohibits stealing.
Give an example in which Natural Moral Law may justify theft
When a man is starving to death, it would be lawful to steal from another presumably from someone who had enough for themselves.
Aquinas also suggests that it would be lawful for a man to take someone else’s property in order to help a neighbour in dire need
How do proportionalists view theft?
The value of a starving man stealing someone’s goods or money in order to save his own life would be in accordance to the primary precept of “preserving life”.
The disvalue of the act is the injustice to the victim of theft and the possible bad effects on society from those who might copy his act.
Overall the theft has more value than the disvalue because saving a life is more important than increasing stocks and goods.
How does Natural Moral Law view lying?
Similar to theft, lying violates the primary precept of living in an ordered society since it can hardly be ordered when people constantly lie to each other.
The secondary precept “do not lie” is generally included in the biblical commandments.
Give an example of how lying prevents an ordered society in terms of NML?
If people lied in business arrangements, no property would ever be safe.
If husbands lied to wives then no marriage would ever be safe
What is the issue of the necessary lie?
Aquinas claims it is lawful to hide the truth by keeping it back however it’s believed that it’s everyone’s duty to tell the truth
Give an example of a necessary lie?
If a madman came to your door and asked the whereabouts of his victim. According to your moral duty, you may not lie even if it leads to the death of his victim. However it is lawful to tell a “misleading truth” as it’s telling the truth but also misguides the axeman.
How does Situation Ethics view theft?
Situation ethicists claim morality can only be decided with reference to the actual situation
Give an example in which Fletcher examines theft
A student wants a thesaurus to pass a test but means he might have steal or buy using stolen, borrowed or gambling money.
Fletcher does not reach a conclusion on what the student should do because the possibilities are endless.
The means involve theft therefore the consequences may involve detection and punishment. However, stealing the book is a pragmatic action and may maximise love and most importantly puts you as a person before the law.
How does Situation Ethics view lying?
Fletchers insists there is no intrinsic right and wrong with regard to lying. The rightness or wrongness of an act is situational and the only absolute in each situation is to affirm love.
Give an example in which Situation Ethics examines lying
Nurses lie to schizophrenics to keep them calm for treatment.
Fletchers illustrates a lie by reassurance.
Schizophrenia has many different symptoms such as delusions, hearing voices and anxiety. So in this situation, Fletchers claims it affirms christian love
How does Virtue Ethics view theft?
Virtue Ethics doesn’t look on specific situations because it focuses more on character building.
Theft is a base action (always wrong) in terms of envy and spitefulness.
Aristotle was really against stealing because him and he’s audience of rich white males would most likely be the victims of theft.
When is the one exception in which stealing may be allowed under Virtue Ethics?
Under virtue ethics, when you take something that one already has plenty of, it is not considered stealing but rather referred to as “distributional justice” because the people who have plenty of something are privileged and have many others.
How does Virtue Ethics view lying?
The act of lying contradicts the virtues of honesty and truthfulness because it’s forbidden.
Aristotle believed that it’s easy to become an habitual liar meaning lying may become a habit and you’re not able to stop
“What is true is noble and praiseworthy”
How does Aristotle and Virtue Ethics view untruthfulness?
Virtue Ethics view untruthfulness just as bad as lying. For example if you over exaggerate or claim “i’m alright” when your not, this is still counted as lying as it’s breaking the virtue of truthfulness.
Aristotle expects you to neither exaggerate or underrate yourself.
What is meant when Aristotle said “Truthfulness is a synergy of different virtues”?
We need many virtues to express the truth and to be a virtuous person.
We need temperance, courage and give each other our due (give each other what we deserve).
Example is giving Kevin the cleaner a payrise etc
What is embryo research and cloning?
Embryo research is where scientists extract “embryonic stem cells” from human embryos with the aim of testing to find cures for human diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
The UK law allows experimentation on human embryos upto the 14th day on the belief that this is the point where an individual begins to develop.
Cloning is a process by which scientists make biological duplicates of an organism.
How does Natural Moral Law view embryo research and cloning?
Aquinas would reject both due to abandoning of pro-creation through loving relationships.
Would be seen as failing to worship God who is the creator of life.
Violates the 3rd primary precept because it could break a marriage down.
Human life is created in the image of God, therefore no one should tamper with that.
