Essay Questions 2

Question 1

Kantian Deontology

Fully explain Kantian Deontology. Compare and contrast the phenomenal from the noumenal realm. Explain how we can know that the noumenal realm exists. Discuss how each realm connects to the two motivations for action. Explain what a will is and its role in forming maxims, especially in the form of hypothetical vs. categorical imperatives (give an example of each). Explain what the moral law is and where it comes from. List the three different formulations of the Categorical Imperative.

Answer 1

• Moral Law is religious, Kant wants rationality
• phenomenal (reality interpreted by mind); noumenal (reality as-is)
• noumenal realm exists because we have will; access reality through veil of understanding
• phenomenal (passion, not morally right); noumenal (reason, moral)
• will allows you to make decisions & generate maxims (act & reason)
• hypothetical (phenomenal), categorical (noumenal)
• moral law comes from 3 categorical imperatives
• cat imps: imperative of duty, practical imperative, & source of value

Question 2

Mill’s Utilitarianism

Fully explain Mill’s Utilitarianism. What is Mill’s argument? How is Mill’s theory different than Bentham’s? Discuss the role of key concepts such: utility, the Greatest Happiness Principle and Greatest Happiness for the Greatest Number. Address how different interpretations of happiness (quantity vs. quality) and different interpretations of actions (particular vs. type) lead to the two main versions of Utilitarianism. Define each version and give examples.

Answer 2

• happiness is the ultimate end of human acts and the standard of morality
• Mill is a response to Bentham
• utility (placeholder for value), GHP (greatest happiness for greatest number)
• quantity (num, Bentham), quality (Mill)
• particular (singular, Act), type (as a whole, Rule)
• Act (anti-hero), Rule (by the book cop)

Question 3

Fully explain Virtue Ethics. State why virtue ethics is different than other modern theories. List the four causes and how the 4th dictates the others. Then explain what a virtue is. Explain the virtue mean and give examples of how it helps inform moral decisions within particular situations from person to person. Explain how virtue thus helps humans achieve eudaimonia as it relates to human good, theoretical vs. practical wisdom, and phronesis.

Answer 3

• most ask “what to do”, this asks “who should i be”
• 4 causes: material, formal, efficient, final (gives it purpose)
• virtue: mean state between two vices
• virtue mean: goldilocks zone, somewhere in the middle (varies, like car vs. sweater)
• virute (trait allowing fulfillment of purpose), virtues help us live well (eudaimonia)
• theoretical (teachable, think well about world’s nature, comes first), practical (needs theoretical,learned through habit)
• phronesis (moral intelligence)

Question 4

Divine Command/Natural Law

Compare and contrast Divine Command Theory with Natural Law theory. Define each theory and explain where they come from (i.e., how they solve the grounding problem in relation to God). Discuss what “commands” are vs. “principles” (primary and econdary principles) and how each (commands & principles) are determined. Discuss and explicate the Divine Index Thesis and Moral Ground Thesis with examples of each. Discuss what a “law” is, how it can be natural, and why should somebody follow it. Be sure to describe how the Natural Law is related to the Eternal Law, Divine Law, and Human Law and why each is necessary.

Answer 4

• DC: goodness in relation to God; originates from Euthyphro
• NL: rules & principles can be found in nature; originates from “Do we need God to be moral?”
• commands (ruled by God), principles (self-evident in FP)
• commands determined by God, principles determined by FP
• DI (X is good in itself), MG (God makes X good)
• law: dictate of reasion, measures action, commands for forbids, observed by authority, for common good
• natural laws are “imprinted on us”
• should follow to acheive end
• Natural is part of a sequence of Laws from most universal to most specific; increasing clarity
• EL: God’s plan
• NL: naturally know whats right
• DL: sacred texts & teachings
• HL: foundation for civil laws