Chapter 12 Flashcards
What is the definition of ethics?
The field of study that deals with discovering what is morally right and wrong
What is the core understanding of a naturalistic view of ethics?
It rejects the possibility of having an absolute standard by which to judge what he right and wrong
What is the position of utilitarianism
It argues that long range consequences determine what is right and wrong
Name two proponents of utilitarianism and what is the difference in their views?
- Jeremy Bentham- pleasure is all equal
2. John Stuart mill- some pleasure intellectual and sophisticated are a higher quality
What is ethical relativism and who is a proponent of it?
Jean Paul sartre - each person must determine their own ethics of right and wrong. There is no absolute laws that can be applied to all people
What is conventional is and what other name does it go by?
The concept that right and wrong are merely determined by the culture in which a person lives
Cultural relativism
What is the definition of a theistic view of ethics?
An ethic of absolute truth that flows from a morally perfect God who is the foundation of ethics
What is absolutism and who is a proponent of it?
There are absolute laws that should never be broken in any situation
Saint Augustine
Two books: on lying and against lying
What is conflicting absolutism and what verses seem to support this position?
We should choose the lesser of 2 evils
Romans 2:6 greater evil=greater punishment
Matthew 5:22 Raca/fool
What is graded absolutism and what verses seem to support this position?
Choose the greater good
Ezra 10- rahabs choice
How does Hardy compare the ethical views with the difference theories of truth?
Utilitarianism resembles pragmatism; ethical relativism resembles the subjective theory of truth; and conventional is,/cultural relativism is a result of the coherence theory of truth. None of these affirm the absolute theory of truth
According to Schaefer, Shay she the problem with being finite? Who does he quote and what is the quote?
He has no sufficient integration point in himself
Satre- no infinite reference point means everything is meaningless and absurd
In regard to morals, if there is an impersonal beginning, what are two consequences?
- Morals disappear- morals and ontology (being) are one
2. There is no ultimate fulfillment in the universe
What does Schaefer mean by his term moral motions?
The sense that things are right and wrong
What is the problem with Hindu paneverythingism?
Nobility and cruelties are of equal value; there is no difference between the two
According to Schaefer, relativism is based on what kind of process? What example does he use to suggest that this is a relevant mechanism for cultural values and morality?
A statistical process (majority rules)
Schaefer’s discussion concerning the continuity and discontinuity of humankind is crucial in his argument for a good God, from which proceeds a moral foundation. What are at least 2 important results there is in discontinuity?
- Man is cruel without God being a bad God
2. There us hope of a solution for this moral problem
According to the text, does lind believe that even a heinous act is by its very nature intrinsically wrong?
No because value had no value apart from an evaluator
According to the text, values are contingent upon what?
The existence of a conscious being Dutch feelings, concerns, desires and purposes
In addition to contingency which makes possible values, what is required for there to be moral or immoral behavior?
A second individual with the properties of the first individual
What is the difference between value subjectivism and value objectivism?
Subjectivism- a contribution of the subject of the experience, not found in the object itself
Objectivism- value statements do describe the objects to which they refer
When does a personal value become an aspect of morality?
When you apply your preferences as a standard to which others ought to follow
How is utilitarianism defined?
The greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
Utilitarianism is what kind of theory?
Consequentialist theory
How is Kant’s deontological theory defined? Why is this theory opposite to utilitarianism?
It is a rejection of the consequentialist theory; the only thing that is good without qualifications is good will - people have intrinsic value
What are some of the glaring weaknesses of utilitarianism?
It puts emphasis on the greatest good for the greatest numbers the happiness liberty of the minority is sacrificed for the majority : slavery
According to Lund, what is r summation of seeking to synthesize utilitarianism and deontological theory?
Generally, decisions of morality should be based on consequences with the overriding principle being the value/moral rights of others
While the relativist position is said to be strong, what are two problems with accepting a society’s moral norms?
- Societies have engaged in certain practices that were morally wrong (according to who is the question)
- By grounding to morality in preference, there is no higher court of appeal
What are some of the issues raised regarding the case that people should be moral?
- By being moral, people get something else they value
- We should be moral out of love for God, not personal gain
- Morality doesn’t necessarily mean it is in need of religion as a foundation
- It enables us and others to be treated well
According to Lund is religion essential for the establishment of a foundation for morality?
No
What is a substitute for God if morality has an alternative foundation?
Other people (humanism)
What is stace’s definition of relativism?
Any ethical position that denies there to be a single moral standard equally applicable to all people at all times
What are the two definitions regarding standards?
- What people think is right
2. What is right distinct from what people think
What is stace’s view of the anthropological science in support of morality among various societies?
It has a psychological effect, but adds nothing to the argument for ethical relativism
Does stace believe that affirming the commands of God is an adequate foundation for absolute moral values?
No
According to stace, what are three problems with ethical relativism?
It renders meaningless all propositions which attempt to compare these standards with one another
It is not possible to compare individuals with the same moral code
No one person’s moral opinion or even a majority view is an adequate standard for morality
What is the definition of the morality trap?
The belief you must obey a moral code created by someone else
What are three different kinds of morality and their definitions?
- Personal: act in a way that brings the best consequences to you
- Universal: a code of conduct that is supposed to bring happiness to everyone that uses it
- Absolute: a set of rules to which an individual is expected to surrender their own happiness
What is the unselfishness trap?
The belief that you must put the happiness of others above your own happiness
According to maciver (like Browne) morality must be situated where?
In your own values
Name four reasons maciver is so enthusiastic about the golden rule?
- It is the only rule that stands by itself I’m light of its own reasoning in the face of warring systems
- instead of attacking the silk of other people, it offers a new dimension
- It goes deeper to show how morality establishes relationships with other people rather than isolating them
- It weakens those who use moral laws to inflict evil on other people
According to maciver, what is a glaring weakness of the golden rule?
It does not solve ethics, problems but only offers an approach. It does not prescribe our treatment of others but on,y the spirit in which they should be treated
