Chapter 2

Question 1

theories

Answer 1

conceptual frameworks for explaining a set of facts/concepts

Question 2

moral theory

Answer 2

explains why an action is right or why a person/character is good

Question 3

what do theories define

Answer 3

basic moral ideas

Question 4

two kinds of theory

Answer 4

1. theories of right action

2. virtue based theories (theories of good character)

Question 5

Theory’s relation to everyday reasoning

Answer 5

• sometimes directly applied to issues
• sometimes offer other indirect support for important principles used in arguments
• need to work back and forth between the particular and the general (our considered judgments, principles, and theories)

Question 6

2 types of theories of right action

Answer 6

1. consequentialist

2. deontological

Question 7

consequentialist

Answer 7

the rightness of actions depends solely on results - good consequences (utilitarianism)

Question 8

deontological

Answer 8

rightness of actions is determined partly by their intrinsic nature

Question 9

utilitarianism

Answer 9

actions are right if they result in most beneficial balance of good over bad consequences

Question 10

act utilitarianism

Answer 10

rightness determined by consequences of individual actions

Question 11

rule utilitarianism

Answer 11

right actions are those that conform to rules which when followed consistently, produce more good

Question 12

Mill/Bentham

Answer 12

greatest happiness principle

Question 13

mill/bentham: greatest happiness principle

Answer 13

actions are right in proportion as they produce the most happiness
happiness = pleasure/absence of pain

Question 14

according to bentham/mill: utilitarianism, morality of action is determined by

Answer 14

consequences on happiness

Question 15

according to bentham/mill: utilitarianism, happiness is equivalent to
unhappiness is equivalent to

Answer 15

pleasure

pain

Question 16

according to bentham/mill: utilitarianism

Answer 16

every sentient being’s happiness counts

Question 17

mill’s important point (p. 36)

Answer 17

we need to distinguish between qualitatively higher pleasures and lower pleasures

Question 18

social reform

Answer 18

bottom-up, fact-based approach to ethics

Question 19

categorical imperative first formulation

Answer 19

act only on that maxim by which you can at the same will that it should become a universal law

• ask what rule (maxim) you are following
• ask whether it could be a law for everyone

Question 20

using C.I. 1 in lying

Answer 20

1. when it is convenient for me, i may lie to get money
2. everyone may lie, when it is convenient
   rule 1 requires not accepting rule bc lying could not exist in a world that followed rule 2

Question 21

categorical imperative second formulation

Answer 21

so act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end in itself, never as a means only

• they should be respected as having value in themselves, and not used as a mere means
• can’t put a price on them

Question 22

what is the basis of the inherent value of rational beings

Answer 22

people are the only things with inherent or ultimate value - we give value to everything else in the world
- we have “dignity” because we are rational agents, we make decisions based on reasons

Question 23

natural law theory

Answer 23

• nature has objective purposes that should be followed
• human reason can see determine these purposes
• these purposes are set by god

Question 24

doctrine of double effect

Answer 24

main idea: it is always wrong to intentionally perform a bad action even to produce a good effect
- it may be permissible to perform a good action for a good effect even though one foresees that a bad effect results

Question 25

tests of double effect

Answer 25

1. the action must be morally permissible
2. causing a bad effect must not be used as a means for a good effect
3. the intention must be to cause only a good effect
4. the bad effect of an action must not be greater in importance than the good effect

Question 26

virtue ethics

Answer 26

• character should be the focus of moral life
• cultivate the virtues
• virtues are ingrained dispositions to act according to standards of excellence
• you learn virtues by specific models of excellence

Question 27

aristotle’s virtue ethics

Answer 27

• the virtues are key ingredients in living a flourishing/happy life (eudaimonia)
• virtues are ideals of character we should continually strive for: generosity, bravery, benevolence. there are also non-moral virtues like prudence
• to have a virtue is to act from an appropriate motive/feelings - a regard for the virtue and its “target”

Question 28

evaluating moral theory

Answer 28

1. consistency with considered moral judgments
2. consistency with the facts of moral life
3. resourcefulness in moral problem solving