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Artistotle And Kant Continued Flashcards

1
Q

What is the only thing that is good without qualification according to Kant?

A

A good will

Kant believes that a good will is essential for moral actions.

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2
Q

How does Kant define a good will?

A

A good will is one that acts according to duty

This means actions are undertaken because they are required or the right thing to do.

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3
Q

What is a maxim?

A

A principle an agent uses to determine what to do

Examples include: do whatever makes me happy, do whatever duty requires.

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4
Q

What must a maxim express to have the form of a law?

A

A requirement

If a maxim expresses a requirement, it can compel action.

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5
Q

What is the relationship between good will and respect for the law?

A

A good will acts out of respect for the law

Actions conforming to the law express a good will.

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6
Q

What are the two kinds of imperatives?

A

Hypothetical and categorical imperatives

Imperatives are commands that tell you what you should or must do.

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7
Q

Define hypothetical imperatives.

A

Commands that depend on wanting to bring about a certain state of affairs

Example: If you want to go to Atlanta, you must travel north.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: A good will is expressed in actions that are undertaken because they are ______.

A

required

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9
Q

What is the difference between a normative claim and a descriptive claim?

A

A normative claim prescribes how things should be, while a descriptive claim states how things are

This distinction is crucial in ethical discussions.

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10
Q

What is the difference between differences in degree/quantity vs. differences in kind/quality?

A

Differences in degree/quantity refer to variations in magnitude, while differences in kind/quality refer to variations in nature

Understanding this helps clarify ethical arguments.

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11
Q

What is meant by moral responsibility?

A

The obligation to act in accordance with moral laws

It involves being accountable for one’s actions.

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12
Q

What is the relationship between acting from duty and acting out of respect for the law?

A

Acting from duty means acting out of respect for the law

Both concepts are central to Kant’s ethics.

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13
Q

True or False: A maxim that expresses a requirement can compel us to act.

A

True

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14
Q

What does Kant think is necessary for a good will to be expressed?

A

Acting according to duty

This excludes actions taken solely for their consequences.

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15
Q

What is a categorical imperative?

A

A command that applies no matter what else is the case

A categorical imperative is unconditional.

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16
Q

What is the significance of the authority of a command in the context of a categorical imperative?

A

The authority of the command must have something to do with the nature of the command itself

This implies that the command has to have the form of a law, which could apply universally.

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17
Q

What does Kant consider the categorical imperative to be?

A

The ‘supreme principle of morality’ or the moral law

Kant provides multiple formulations of the categorical imperative, which he considers equivalent.

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18
Q

What is the first formulation of the categorical imperative?

A

Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law

This formulation focuses on the formal quality of maxims.

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19
Q

What does Kant imply about maxims that ‘undercut’ themselves?

A

If everyone acted on them, something weird would happen, preventing you from acting on that maxim

An example includes taking out a loan with no intention to pay it back.

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20
Q

What is the second formulation of the categorical imperative known as?

A

The formula of humanity or the ‘formula of the end in itself’

O’Neill refers to it this way.

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21
Q

What does the formula of humanity state?

A

Act in such a way as to treat humanity always as an end and never merely as a means

This applies to both oneself and others.

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22
Q

What does Kant mean by ‘humanity’?

A

Rational capacities

Rational capacities refer to our ability to make decisions based on reasons.

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23
Q

What does it mean to respect someone’s rational capacities according to Kant?

A

To allow them to make up their mind about what to believe or do without coercing them

This is aligned with respecting people’s autonomy.

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24
Q

What does treating someone’s humanity as an end in itself entail?

A

Respecting their rational capacities and sometimes helping them with their rationally determined goals

It emphasizes the importance of autonomy in moral actions.

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25
What does it mean to use someone's humanity as a means?
To use their rational capacities to further some goal of yours ## Footnote This is acceptable as long as they are also treated as an end.
26
What are hypothetical and categorical imperatives?
Key Kantian terms that distinguish between types of commands or reasons for action ## Footnote Hypothetical imperatives are conditional, while categorical imperatives are unconditional and apply universally.
27
What is a maxim in Kantian ethics?
A personal principle or rule of action that one follows ## Footnote Maxims serve as the basis for evaluating the morality of actions.
28
What is the difference between normative and descriptive claims?
Normative claims express what ought to be, while descriptive claims express what is ## Footnote This distinction is crucial in ethical discussions.
29
What are necessary and sufficient conditions?
Conditions that must be met for something to be true (necessary) and conditions that, if met, guarantee something is true (sufficient) ## Footnote Understanding these conditions is important in constructing arguments.
30
Define moral responsibility.
The obligation to account for one's actions in a moral context ## Footnote It contrasts with causal responsibility, which deals with the cause of an event.
31
What is the formula of humanity?
Act in such a way as to treat humanity as an end and never merely as a means ## Footnote This principle emphasizes the inherent value of human beings.
32
What is a prudential reason?
A reason to do something based on personal benefit or improvement ## Footnote Example: saving for retirement.
33
What is a moral reason?
A reason to do something because it is morally required ## Footnote Example: telling the truth.
34
What is the argument made by Aylsworth and Castro regarding digital minimalism?
They argue that we have a moral reason to be digital minimalists ## Footnote A digital minimalist intentionally interacts with technology without conflicting with their goals.
35
Define autonomy in the context of Kantian ethics.
Giving oneself rules or laws by which to live ## Footnote Autonomy emphasizes self-governance and moral self-determination.
36
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a reason to do something because one will be better off if one does it.
prudential reason
37
Fill in the blank: The formula of humanity states that we have duties to ourselves and must treat our own humanity as an _______.
end
38
True or False: The formula of humanity allows for treating others merely as a means to an end.
False
39
What does the term 'digital minimalist' refer to?
One whose interactions with digital technology are intentional ## Footnote Their use of technology aligns with their personal goals and values.
40
What is the significance of Kant's involvement in the Enlightenment?
You don't need to defer to other sources of authority; you can figure out what to do yourself.
41
What does it mean to be autonomous?
The capacity to exercise freedom of the will.
42
What are the two basic requirements for autonomy?
* Reflecting on what we should do or believe * Allowing the results of that reflection to affect what we do or believe.
43
Define first-order desire.
A desire for a specific action, e.g., I want to go for a walk.
44
Define second-order desire.
A desire about one's first-order desires, e.g., I wish that I didn't want to go for a walk.
45
What are conflicts of desires?
Situations where first-order desires conflict, e.g., wanting to finish work and wanting to go for a walk.
46
What is the term for the first-order desire that actually moves an agent to act?
Will.
47
What is a second-order volition?
A second-order desire about which first-order desire becomes one's will.
48
What does it mean to be autonomous according to second-order volition?
One's second-order volition is effective and influences how one acts.
49
What is a central threat to autonomy?
Addiction.
50
How is someone defined as being addicted?
Unable to set their own rules about engagement with an object or unable to follow the rules they set.
51
Give an example of autonomy in relation to addiction.
Making a rule to eat only one banana per day and being able to follow it.
52
Fill in the blank: One is autonomous if their _______ is effective.
second-order volition
53
True or False: Autonomy is always strong and unthreatened.
False
54
What is a perfect duty?
A duty that is absolute and admits no exceptions ## Footnote An example is the duty to never treat humanity as a mere means, but always as an end in itself.
55
What characterizes an imperfect duty?
An obligation to pursue a certain end with discretion in how to pursue it ## Footnote For instance, the duty to cultivate our natural abilities allows flexibility in the approach.
56
What is the duty to cultivate our natural abilities considered?
An imperfect duty ## Footnote This duty allows individuals to decide how much time and energy to invest in cultivating their abilities.
57
What is our imperfect duty regarding rational agency?
To cultivate and protect our rational agency ## Footnote This is a crucial point in the argument for digital minimalism.
58
What is the first premise (P1) of the master arguments?
Humanity has an objective, unconditional, non-fungible value dignity ## Footnote This premise establishes the inherent value of rational agency.
59
What does premise P2 state?
Anything that has dignity ought to be respected as an end and never treated as a mere means ## Footnote This underscores the moral obligation to treat individuals with respect.
60
What follows from premise P3?
We have an imperfect duty to cultivate and protect our rational agency ## Footnote This is derived from the need to respect humanity as an end.
61
What conclusion (C4) is drawn from the master arguments?
We have an imperfect duty to cultivate and protect our rational agency ## Footnote This reinforces the importance of rational agency in ethical considerations.
62
What does premise P4 suggest?
If we have an imperfect duty to cultivate and protect our rational agency, then we ought to adopt the end of digital minimalism ## Footnote This connects the duty of rational agency to the practice of digital minimalism.
63
What conclusion (C2) is reached regarding digital minimalism?
We ought to adopt the end of digital minimalism ## Footnote This conclusion ties together the arguments for protecting rational agency and minimizing digital distractions.
64
Fill in the blank: A perfect duty admits _______.
no exceptions
65
True or False: An imperfect duty allows discretion in how to pursue a certain end.
True
66
What is the primary focus of Aristotle's approach to ethics?
The individual agent's well-being ## Footnote Aristotle's ethics centers on the well-being of individuals as opposed to a more abstract moral framework.
67
How does Aristotle derive a normative theory from his theory of the good?
The right action is what someone who is well-off would do ## Footnote This implies that virtue and well-being are interconnected in determining the right course of action.
68
What is the highest good according to Aristotle?
Eudaimonia ## Footnote Eudaimonia is often translated as flourishing or happiness and is achieved through the exercise of virtue.
69
What does it mean to be well-off according to Aristotle?
To respond appropriately to situations and feel what is appropriate ## Footnote This involves both action and emotional response aligned with virtue.
70
Define 'disposition' in the context of Aristotle's ethics.
A tendency to do or feel something in a particular circumstance ## Footnote Dispositions are integral to understanding how virtues operate in ethical behavior.
71
What are virtues according to Aristotle?
Dispositions to act or feel a certain way ## Footnote Examples include courage, kindness, and generosity.
72
How does Aristotle categorize virtues?
As a mean between two extremes ## Footnote Each virtue represents a balanced state, avoiding excess and deficiency.
73
Provide an example of a virtue and its extremes according to Aristotle.
Courage: Cowardice (too little) and Rashness (too much) ## Footnote This illustrates the concept of virtues being a balanced mean.
74
True or False: Aristotle's ethics is solely a theory of the good.
False ## Footnote While it starts with a theory of the good, it also leads to a theory of the right.
75
What is the relationship between virtues and well-being in Aristotle's ethics?
Virtues are essential for achieving well-being ## Footnote A virtuous life leads to eudaimonia, or flourishing.
76
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a tendency to do something or to feel something in a particular circumstance.
disposition ## Footnote Understanding dispositions helps to clarify how virtues manifest in behavior.
77
How do we acquire virtues according to Aristotle?
We acquire virtues through action ## Footnote For example, we become courageous by doing courageous things.
78
Can one do courageous things without already being courageous?
Yes, one can do something courageous even if not disposed to do so.
79
What happens if one does courageous things repeatedly?
One becomes disposed to do the courageous thing and eventually becomes courageous.
80
What is necessary to live well according to Aristotle?
One must not just have virtues, but also exercise them.
81
What is an example illustrating the importance of exercising virtues?
Being compassionate while living alone on an island limits opportunities to exercise compassion.
82
What does it mean to act from virtue?
One acts from virtue when they know what they are doing, will the action for its own sake, and proceed from a stable disposition.
83
What does it indicate when an action is accompanied by pleasure?
It may be a sign that one is acting in line with their nature.
84
What is an example of feeling pleasure when acting virtuously?
Feeling pleasure when paying for a meal with friends if one is generous.
85
How does Aristotle's view of praiseworthy actions differ from Kant's?
For Kant, a praiseworthy action expresses a good will; for Aristotle, it expresses a virtue.
86
What does Aristotle say about emotions and well-being?
Feeling appropriate emotions contributes to flourishing.
87
Can feeling sad or angry contribute to well-being?
Yes, feeling sad or angry can be appropriate and contribute to well-being.
88
What is the right action according to Aristotle?
The action that the virtuous person would perform.
89
How does Aristotle suggest we identify virtuous people?
We just know them when we see them.
90
Is Aristotle's identification of virtuous people circular?
Yes, it can be seen as circular: virtuous people perform virtuous actions and vice versa.
91
What is Aristotle's primary goal in his ethical theory?
To tell us how to live well.
92
How does Aristotle believe we can determine right actions?
By using our already established sense of which actions are right and which people are virtuous.

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